Sacraments
Baptism (Infant – Age 7)
What is Baptism
Baptism is intended to cleanse away original sin and symbolize rebirth in Christ, recalling His baptism by John the Baptist. It is defined as the ceremony that initiates a child (or adult) into the Catholic faith and membership into the church, the holy body of the people of Christ.
Baptism Requirements
Parents are responsible for bringing their child to the Sacrament of Baptism as soon after birth as possible. Except in case of necessity, the church is the usual place of baptism. In order that a child be baptized, it is necessary that the parents consent, or at least one of them, or someone legally standing in their place, and that there is reasonable hope that the child will be brought up in the Catholic Faith. This is normally displayed through regular Mass attendance.
Information for Godparents
A person may only have one or two godparents (also called sponsors); if two are chosen, they must be male and female. In order for someone to be eligible as a godparent they must be chosen by the parents, have the ability and the intention to fulfill the role, be at least 16 years of age, and be a confirmed Roman Catholic, who has already received the Most Holy Eucharist, is leading a life in harmony with the Catholic Faith (including Marriage and regular Mass attendance) and will be a good role model for the one being baptized, and be neither the father nor the mother of the child. A baptized person who belongs to another Christian community may be admitted only as a “Christian witness” (not a godparent) provided that there is at least one Roman Catholic godparent who fulfills the above criteria. A non-baptized person cannot be a witness (Code of Canon Law, cc. 872-874; Catechism of the Catholic Church 1255).
To make arrangements for Baptism or to register for the Parent Preparation meeting, please contact Sarah Ress either by phone at (330) 454-2144 or via email at sknight@youngstowndiocese.org.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) for persons who are experiencing a conversion in their lives and seeking either Christian baptism in the Catholic Church or full Communion with the Catholic tradition of Eucharist and Confirmation. It is a process which enables the study of the Gospels, Catholic Christian teaching, the acceptance of Christian values and morality, the development and deepening of a life of prayer and action with the support and involvement of the local Christian community. The RCIA is more than a course of instruction. It is a process of conversion, designed to meet the unique and individual needs of the participants. If you are interested in becoming Catholic, please contact our parish office at (330) 477-6796.
Reconciliation
What is the Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, in which the faithful are absolved of sins committed after baptism and reconciled with the Christian community. During reconciliation, mortal sins must be confessed and venial sins may be confessed for devotional reasons.
Prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Before celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, one should prepare oneself with an examination of conscience, which involves reflecting prayerfully on one’s thoughts, words, and deeds in order to identify any sins.
Sample Examination of Conscience
1. I am the Lord your God;
you shall not have strange gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
4. Honor your father and your mother.
5. You Shall Not Kill
6. You Shall Not Commit Adultery
7. You Shall Not Steal
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated every Saturday at 12:00 pm at St. Joan of Arc or by appointment by contacting the parish office at (330) 477-6796 or parish511@youngstowndiocese.org.
First Holy Communion
What is First Communion
First Holy Communion is the second of the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism and Confirmation) which complete an individual’s membership to the Catholic Community. The Eucharist Sacrament is commonly called First Holy Communion and celebrates the real presence of Christ in the bread, wine, and gathered community.
Requirements for First Holy Communion
- A child must be baptized. A copy of the certificate must be on file with the parish office.
- Attend the Religious Education Program for two years prior to Communion.
- Each child is required to complete the First Communion Sacramental Preparation materials with their parents.
- Children and their parents are expected to attend Mass.
To register your child for our Religious Education program (CCD), please contact Sarah Ress at (330) 454-2144 or sknight@youngstowndiocese.org.
Confirmation
What is Confirmation
Confirmation is the sacrament of initiation which serves to strengthen and establish a baptized Catholic in their faith. The rite is commonly received in the eighth grade at our parish, but is performed immediately after baptism for adult converts.
Requirements to Receive the Sacrament of Confirmation
It is diocesan policy that the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation for our young people be held during the eighth-grade year of school. A separate preparation program for all eighth graders is also required by the Diocese of Youngstown along with being enrolled in Catholic School or the St. Joan of Arc/St. Joseph CCD program.
Who Can Be a Sponsor
A sponsor must be at least 16 years of age, fully initiated, actively practicing the Catholic faith, and not the candidate’s mother or father. It is desirable for the baptismal godparent to serve as the confirmation sponsor to emphasize the unity of the two sacraments.
Marriage
Requirements for Sacramental Marriage
A valid Catholic marriage results from four elements:
- the spouses are free to marry.
- they freely exchange their consent.
- in consenting to marry, they have the intention to marry for life, to be faithful to one another and to be open to children.
- their consent is given in the canonical form, i.e. in the presence of two witnesses and before a properly authorized member of the clergy.
If you are interested in learning more about our marriage preparation process, please contact our pastor at (330) 477-6796 (St. Joan of Arc) or (330) 453-2526 (St. Joseph) at least six months prior to your desired wedding date.
Holy Orders
What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders
The sacrament of holy orders in the Catholic Church includes three orders: bishops, priests, and deacons, in decreasing order of rank, collectively comprising the clergy. In the phrase “holy orders”, the word “holy” means “set apart for a sacred purpose”.
If you are discerning a vocation, please contact the diocesan office of vocations at the Diocese of Youngstown at (330) 744-8451 or email Reverend Chad Johnson at cjohnson@youngstowndiocese.org or our pastor, Fr. Kopp, would be happy to speak with you.
Anointing of the Sick
What is Anointing of the Sick
The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick consecrates this person with this illness that could lead to death. It unites their suffering to the suffering of Jesus on the cross. Anointing should be requested as soon as the person is diagnosed with life threatening illness. Anointing of the sick is also part of the Last Rites. If you are facing a major surgery, were diagnosed with a life threatening illness, or near death, contact Fr. Scott Kopp at the office at (330) 477-6796. After hours, there is an emergency option through the phone system.
Funerals
The funeral liturgy is the central liturgical celebration of the Christian community for the
deceased. When one of its members dies, the Church encourages the celebration of the funeral liturgy at a Mass. When Mass cannot be celebrated, a funeral liturgy outside Mass can be celebrated at the church or in the funeral home. At the funeral liturgy, the Church gathers with the family and friends of the deceased to give praise and thanks to God for Christ’s victory over sin and death, to commend the deceased to God’s tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of the Paschal Mystery. The funeral liturgy, therefore, is an act of worship.
For questions regarding funerals at Guardian Angels Parish (St. Joan of Arc or St. Joseph), please contact our office at
(330) 477-6796.