St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church at 3262 N US Hwy 117 BYP, Mount Olive, NC 28365 US - The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church

A sacrament is an "efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit" (Catechism of the Catholic Church 774, 1131).

"The seven sacraments touch all the stages 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 the spiritual life" (Catechism 1210). According to the Second Vatican Council,

"The purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify men, to build up the body of Christ, and finally, to give worship to God. Because they are signs they also instruct. They not only presuppose faith, but by words and objects they also nourish, strengthen, and express it; that is why they are called 'sacraments of faith.' They do indeed impart grace, but, in addition, the very act of celebrating them disposes the faithful most effectively to receive this grace in a fruitful manner, to worship God duly, and to practice charity" (Sacred Constitution on the Liturgy, 59).

Baptism
Preparation prior to baptism is required. "Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the 'sacraments of initiation' by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ. The rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water, or pouring water on the head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 977, 1213,1275, 1278).

Confirmation
Preparation prior to Confirmation is required. "Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by a special outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which seal or 'confirm' the baptized in unison with Christ and equip them for active participation in the worship and apostolic life of the Church" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285).

Reconciliation (Confessions/Confesione)
The Sacrament of Penance, also know as the Rite of Reconciliation, is the "liturgical celebration of God's forgiveness of the sins of the penitent, who is thus reconciled with God and with the Church. The acts of the penitent-contrition, the confession of sins, and satisfaction or reparation-together with the prayer of absolution by the priest, constitute the essential elements of the Sacrament of Penance" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 980, 1422, 1440, 1448) Marriage Contact Father Garneau as soon as possible to set the wedding date and begin marriage preparation. This should be done at least six months before your wedding. Marriage is a "covenant or partnership of life between a man and woman, which is ordered to the well-being of the spouses and to the procreation and upbringing of children. When validly contracted between two baptized people, marriage is a sacrament" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1601).

Click here to view our weekly schedule for confessions

Anointing of the Sick
Please Contact The Parish Office to make arrangements. Anointing of the Sick is "one of the seven sacraments, also known as the 'sacrament of the dying,' administered by a priest to a baptized person who begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old age, through prayer and the anointing of the body with the oil of the sick. The proper effects of the sacrament include a special grace of healing and comfort to the Christian who is suffering the infirmities of serious illness or old age, and the forgiving of the person's sins" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1499, 1520, 1523, 1526-1532). Holy Orders Father Garneau will gladly help anyone wishing to get more information about the priestly vocation. "The Sacrament of Apostolic Ministry by which the mission entrusted by Christ to his Apostles continues to be exercised in the Church through the laying on of hands. This sacrament has three distinct degrees or 'orders': deacon, priest, and bishop. All three confer a permanent, sacramental character" (Catechism of the Catholic Church,536).

For more information or to speak to the priest:
Contact Fr. Garneau at 919-658-4023. Please leave a message, Fr. Garneau will return your call.

Youth Ministry & Religious Ed. Programs

Go to the St. Mary's Youth Ministry website for up to date information and Schedules. St. Mary's Youth Ministry offers the following programs:

• Per-First Communion Program Pre K-1
• First Communion A (2-3 grades)
• First Communion B (4-5 grades)
• Post-First Communion (any child between 4-5 grades who has already had First Communion)
• Confirmation Class Youth Group for Teens

Catechism class times:
Saturday, from 5:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m.;
Sunday 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Mount Olive College Chapel
Confirmation class (13 years and older): Sunday 3:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m.

You can also contact Father Garneau at 919-658-4023.