Anointing of the Sick
This Sacrament is conferred occasionally at the weekend celebrations of Eucharist. It is also available at all times whenever needed. Please call the Parish at 464-1624 to make arrangements or simply ask Father to anoint you at any mass you are attending.
Baptism of Infants & Children
When a parent(s) wishes to have a child baptized, contact is made with the Parish Office and an appointment is made with the Pastor. The purpose of the interview is to share the joy of the birth of the child, to discuss the baptismal guidelines of the Catholic Church, which involve the parents, the child, the godparents, and the parish community, and to obtain the informational details.
Parent(s) who have a good awareness of their faith, who gather with the community regularly for worship, and who proclaim faith in Jesus by their words and actions are then asked to attend a session of Baptism Preparation. At this formational session, the parent(s) are asked to think about what all is involved in their decision to have their child baptized. Then the ritual of Baptism as celebrated at St. Elizabeth Seton parish is explained. Parish celebrations of Baptism at the Eucharist are on the third weekend of the month, exclusive of Advent and Lent. Finally, the date, time and mode of Baptism are established.
The Ministry of Baptism Preparation consists of lay people who work with the priest and deacons in preparing parents for the baptism of their child [ren] who have not yet reached the age of seven.
The Baptism Ministry Team facilitates Baptism Preparation Sessions throughout the year. The Baptism Ministry Team helps parents and godparents come to a deeper understanding of their own baptism; and how the effects of the paschal mystery of Jesus, incorporates us into the mystical body of Christ. Parents and Godparents receive instruction in the importance of the commitment they are making to God, the community and their child [ren] in accepting the responsibility to bring their child [ren] up in the practice of the faith.
The team also helps parents understand the role and requirements for godparents and Christian witnesses. They help familiarize participants of the class in the celebration of the Rite of Baptism within the parish and the scheduling of the celebration of the sacrament.
Confirmation – Adults
The Sacrament of Confirmation for Adults is celebrated annually with the Diocesan Bishop at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary on the Feast of Pentecost. Prior to Pentecost, the parish will publish information about the celebration encouraging anyone who has not received the sacrament to please inform the Parish Office. After the names are gathered, the Candidates are interviewed, the information detailed, all are asked to attend a session of Confirmation Preparation. At this formational session, the Candidates are asked to think about the importance of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Confirmation – Young Adults
This Sacrament concludes the required two-year preparation of the eighth-grade students in our parish faith formation program for that age level. The Sacrament is celebrated in the fall of their freshman year following several intense preparation sessions and a retreat. For more information and the detailed guidelines, please contact the Faith Formation Office.
Marriage Preparation
In preparation for their marriage, couples meet with the parish Priest/Deacon and the Music Director. In addition, couples attend a series of marriage formation sessions, hosted by married couples from our parish, which look at the many and varied aspects of married life or the couples attend a pre-marriage weekend offered by the Diocese of Gary.
Marriages can be scheduled for Fridays (usually late afternoon), or Saturdays up to 1:30 P.M., and also at the regular scheduled weekend liturgies.
Couples need to notify the Parish Office six months prior to the date of the wedding. Married couples, through their own personal experiences, communicate to engaged couples who are about to be married, some of the problems, experiences and joys that perhaps have not been communicated or thought about in their marriage plans.
If you are a married couple who want to share some of your experiences of married life, you can be a facilitator to couples who are about to be married. The only requirement is that you must attend a one-day training session at the Diocesean Center.
When instruction is given to engaged couples, we meet on two consecutive Saturdays. The sessions usually last from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Two married couples work together as a team to help engaged couples. Sessions are held every six months.
Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered at the parish on Saturday afternoons from 3:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. During Advent and Lent, communal penance services are offered. The sacrament is available anytime upon request.