The Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism
The Church teaches that Holy Baptism is “the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.” (CCC 1213) The Lord Jesus himself was baptized (Luke 3.21-22, Mark 1.9-11, and Matthew 3.13-17), ordained the sacrament of the baptism, entrusted his apostles with the mission of baptizing “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28.19) affirming the necessity of baptism for salvation.
In the case of infant baptism, parents are responsible for the education and formation of their children in the Faith. Since their infant children are not yet able to speak for themselves, parents wishing to have their children baptized in the Church take on an immense, but rewarding the responsibility to assure that their children regularly receive the Sacraments and participate fully in the Church’s life. If for some reason a parent believes that, they or their child’s designated godparent will not be able to fulfill their sacred responsibility to raise their child a Catholic, they should discuss this with a priest or deacon at Prince of Peace before the child is baptized.
The parents of the child to be baptized must be members of the parish for at least three months before a baptism may be scheduled for their child. Furthermore, all new parents wishing to have their child baptized at Prince of Peace must participate in one of the parish’s baptismal workshops. These are held every other month in Croghan Hall. For more information, please contact the parish office. To find out when the next baptismal workshop will be held, please visit the calendar.
You must fill out a Baptism Workshop Information and Registration Form. CLICK HERE to download the .pdf, print it out and return it to the parish office.
Further reading:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213-1284
The Sacrament of Baptism can also be celebrated according to the traditional Latin liturgical books (pre-Vatican II) upon request. Please contact Fr. Tomlinson with any questions.
Confirmation
According to the Catechism, "by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed." (CCC #1285) Truly, this is an awesome responsibility, and over the centuries this sacrament has been separated from baptism to allow for extensive catechesis for those preparing to make such a commitment to Christ and his Church.
At Prince of Peace, our Confirmation program begins in the 8th grade and students receive the sacrament in the Fall of their 9th grade year. For more information regarding the program contact Stephanie Lasitter.
Adults who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation should participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and receive the sacrament at the Paschal Vigil. For more information on RCIA, contact Fr. Richard Tomlinson
Further reading:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285-1321
Holy Eucharist
The Catholic Church has always taught that at the Last Supper Jesus instituted the most holy of sacraments. Using the words of consecration that our Lord gave us, the Church teaches that the elements of bread and wine are truly, really and substantially transformed into the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ.
"The Eucharist is the heart and summit of the Church's life, for in it Christ associates his Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once and for all on the cross to his Father; by this sacrifice he pours out the graces of salvation on his Body which is the Church." (CCC #1407)
Normally, children receive their first Communion in the 2nd grade after having completed two years of religious education. For more information contact Lara Pennell, Director of Religious Education.
Further reading:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1322-1412
The Sacrament of First Holy Communion can also be celebrated according to the traditional Latin liturgical books (pre-Vatican II) upon request. Please contact Fr. Tomlinson with any questions.
