Sacraments
Catechism of the Catholic Church on Sacraments
Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of spiritual life.
CCC 1210
If you have questions on any sacraments, we invite you to contact the Church Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 316-683-6569.
Anointing of the Sick
In the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to conquer sin and death by his dying and rising. (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults)
This sacrament is offered on the last Saturday of the month following the 8:00 am Mass or by appointment. To make an appointment, please contact the Church Office.
Baptism
In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ's call to holiness. In Baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever-deeper love. (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults)
Parents wishing to have their infant children baptized are required to attend our Baptism Preparation Course before the birth of their first child. It is highly recommended that infants be baptized within one month of birth. Parents wishing to have their children ages 7-14 prepared for Baptism must enroll in our O.C.I.C. (Order of Christian Initiation for Children) program. Likewise, adults wishing to be baptized are prepared through O.C.I.A (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults).
Godparents are chosen by the parents or guardian and cannot be the child's mother or father. We ask that you choose a confirmed practicing Catholic, age 16 or older, and if married, who has been married in the Catholic Church. Below is the Godparent Certificate of Eligibility form, which must be signed and returned prior to baptism.
Confirmation
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life, calling us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner, with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service. (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults)
Students in the 6th grade who attend our parish school are prepared for the Sacrament in their religion classes. Students in 6th grade who attend public or private school are prepared for the Sacrament while attending our Parish School of Religion (PSR) on Wednesday evenings during the school year. Those older than grade 6 who have received their First Holy Communion, are practicing Catholics, and wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation should contact the Church Office.
Eucharist
"Take; this is my body." (Mark 14:22)
In the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. The whole Christ is truly present -- body, blood, soul, and divinity -- under the appearances of bread and wine, the glorified Christ who rose from the dead. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist.
Funerals
"At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of Baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end, nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting Word of God and the Sacrament of the Eucharist." (Order of Christian Funerals, no. 4)
Those wishing to schedule a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas are asked to contact the Church Office. Please accept our prayers and sympathy during this difficult time. We invite you to review the Consolation documents below.
| Funeral Hymns | STA Funeral Planning Sheet Mass | Funeral Readings | General Intercessions |
Holy Orders
"Here I am, send me." (Isaiah 6:8)
Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest. This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.
If you believe God is calling you to the religious life, we invite you to have a discussion with our priests.
Matrimony
The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy. (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults)
One of the engaged pair or his or her parent must be a registered and active parishioner for six months before wedding preparation can begin. The couple should make an appointment with a parish priest at least six months prior to the anticipated wedding date. The priest will set the date on the calendar (not office personnel). We invite you to review the prayers below.
| Blessing for Married Couples | How to Pray with Your Spouse | An Engaged Couple's Prayer |
Penance
"It is in pardoning that we are pardoned." (Prayer of St. Francis)
Not only does the Sacrament of Penance free us from our sins, but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. We are liberated to be forgivers. If you are seeking an examination of conscience guide, we invite you to review the documents below.
| Examination of Conscience for Adults | Examination of Conscience for Children |
