Sacraments
Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments; it is the "door" which gives access to the other sacraments and to a life of grace. It frees us from sin, unites us to Christ, and makes us temples of the Holy Spirit and children of God. Through Baptism, we become members of the Body of Christ, the Church.
Registered members of our parish seeking Baptism for their child are asked to attend a Baptism Preparation meeting whereby the team will walk the family through the joys, actions, rites, and requirements of this sacrament.
For Info Contact: Church office at Jenniferk@stjohnwinfield.org or 630.668.0918 x 0
Godparents are sponsors of the one who is baptized. They assume a responsibility to assist the newly baptized on the road of the Christian life: "Dear godparents, it is your important duty to sustain and help the parents in their educational task, supporting them in the transmission of the truths of the faith and in their witness to the Gospel values and bringing up these children in an ever deeper friendship with the Lord. May you always be able to offer them your good example, through the practice of Christian virtues" (Pope Benedict XVI). Canons 873-874 of the Code of Canon Law state that only one godparent is required but that there may be two (a godfather and a godmother) and that the godparent be at least 16 years old, not the parent of the child, already confirmed and received the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist, and living a life in harmony with the Church. A baptized person who is not Catholic may serve as a Christian witness together with a Catholic godparent.
The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament where God, through the actions of the priest at Mass, changes the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ: "At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet 'in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.'" (CCC, 1323)
First Communion is normally celebrated in the spring of 2nd grade. The preparation program is a 2 year program whereby parents are the primary educators, and the school/church supplies the necessary materials and activities. Please submit Baptismal certificate at registration.
For Info Contact: Religious Education office at 630.668.0918 x 613
Confirmation is the second Sacrament of Initiation. It is the outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit which increases and deepens our baptismal grace: "They are more perfectly bound to the Church by the sacrament of Confirmation, and the Holy Spirit endows them with special strength so that they are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith, both by word and by deed, as true witnesses of Christ" (Lumen Gentium, 11).
Normally, this sacrament is received at St. John’s in the spring of 8th grade. The requirements to receive Confirmation are: the family must be registered in our parish, attend Mass weekly, and be either in our parish school or in our Religious Education Program. During the last 3 years, a concentrated preparation program is offered for the Confirmand/parent/sponsor.
For Info Contact: Religious Education office at 630.668.0918 x 613
Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing, through which we receive God’s forgiveness for any sins we have committed. It is a sacrament that reconciles us to God and helps us reconcile with one another.
Normally, this sacrament is received for the first time during the latter half of the second year of preparation, usually the winter of 2nd grade. This preparation program is based on parents being the primary educators; the church/school offers the necessary resources and activities. Please submit Baptismal certificate at registration and see the list of preparation dates associated with this sacrament.
For Info Contact: Religious Education office at 630.668.0918 x 613
The sacrament of marriage is a visible sign of God’s love for the Church. When a man and a woman are married in the Church, they receive the grace needed for a lifelong bond of unity. We believe that God exists in eternal communion. Together, Father, Son and Holy Spirit are united in one being with no beginning and no end. Human beings, likewise, were created by God in God’s image for the purpose of communion with another human being.
Parish couples need to speak to one of our priests before making any other arrangements or reserving a reception hall. Diocesan policy requires a period of at least six months prior to the wedding for a couple to complete their necessary preparation and paperwork.
For Info Contact: Church office at Jenniferk@stjohnwinfield.org or 630.668.0918 x 0
"Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time…It includes three degrees of order: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate" (CCC 1536). Deacons, priest and bishops are essential to the Catholic Church because we believe that they continue the work begun by the apostles.
All men and women, ages 18-40, are invited to gather with women and men religious to explore the possibility of religious life and priesthood. This is sponsored by JAVA (Joliet Area Vocation Association). Members of JAVA, men and women religious from the Diocese of Joliet, are available and willing to speak at our parish school, religious education programs or other parish events in order to promote vocations.
For Info Contact: The Vocations Office at 815-221-6171
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick gives strength and support and can be administered to anyone struggling with an illness.
In the Catholic Church, Extreme Unction or the Last Rites is the anointing at the time of death. Since the Second Vatican Council, this sacrament is now called the Anointing of the Sick and has been broadened to offer healing and comfort in times of illness that may not lead to immediate death. Speaking about a wider implementation of this sacrament, Pope Paul VI advocated for “a wider availability of the sacrament and to extend it—within reasonable limits—even beyond cases of mortal illness."
RCIA/Sacraments of Initiation for Adults
For information regarding completing sacraments as an adult contact: Church office at Jenniferk@stjohnwinfield.org or 630.668.0918 x 0