Sacraments

Baptism

Baptism begins the process of initiation into the Church, the Body of Christ. This initial sacrament washes away sin, frees us from the power of darkness, and brings our Christian dignity into the light. In this sacrament, we are brought into the community of God’s faithful people, spanning all times and places, and given a share in the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Parents are encouraged to be registered and active members of the parish. They are expected to take classes before the baptism, which will help them understand the rituals of the sacraments, and help them to plan how they will raise their precious child int he Catholic Church

Godparents should be chosen for their ability to share their faith with their godchild and to be an example of Christian living to them. At least one godparent must be a practicing Catholic, be Confirmed and must also take the baptism preparation class, here or in his own parish. Some families also choose Non-Catholic Chirstians to be part of their child's life in this special way. They are called sponsors.

Children from infancy through the age of six are normally baptized at one of the weekend community masses, on designated baptism weekends each year. A parent preparation period runs for two consecutive weeks prior to each baptism weekend. Children who have reached the age of seven or beyond, and adults who have never been baptized, are baptized each spring at the Easter Vigil.

Baptism Preparation
Baptism preparation sessions are required for parents and godparents at St. George Parish, St. Francis of Assisi Hall. The sessions last for two hours. The session includes the following topics: Theology of Baptism, the Symbols of Baptism, the Rite of Welcome, Introduction to the Rite of Baptism, the Role of the Catholic Parents in Baptism and Matrimony. We welcome anyone to attend our preparation sessions but there is a fee of $35 for all non-parishioners.

Contact:
Deacon Sagato Pele
(206)762-7744

First Eucharist

For children baptized as infants, First Reconciliation is generally received in the fall of the second grade year and First Holy Communion is generally made in the spring of the second grade year. The preparation takes place over two years which can begin as early as the first grade. Children need to have either been enrolled in our Faith Formation (Sunday School) program or attend a Catholic school prior to beginning the first year of the two year program. Registration begins each spring and classes begin in the fall. There are 12 classes each for Year One and Year Two: six classes for Reconciliation and six classes for First Communion. A child must fulfill the requirements of Year One before they can move onto Year Two. Parent(s) need to be practicing Catholics attending Mass regularly, registered at their parish, and participating in Sacrificial Giving. The family understands that the celebration of the sacraments is a specific moment in a lifelong process of conversion, not an end in itself and there is a commitment to ongoing religious formation for the children in the family.

Contact:
Caroline Fredette
St.GeorgeSundaySchool1@gmail.com

Confirmation

As teenagers we have many questions to ask and to have answered as we look into our faith and our beliefs. Confirmation carries forward the grace of our baptism, by signing us with the gifts of the Spirit: wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and the spirit of wonder and awe in the divine presence.

This sacrament helps young adults to claim their baptismal promises as their own, so that they may give mature witness to Christ in the world through lives of worship, love, and service.

In this diocese, Confirmation is conferred on young adults who have achieved at least the junior year in high school or are a minimum of 16 years old at the time of receiving the sacrament.

For information regarding Confirmation please contact Deacon Sagato Pele at (206) 762-7744.

THE TRI-PARISH CONFIRMATION PROGRAM 2010-2011

St. Paul, St. Edward, & St. George Catholic Churches, Seattle Confirmation Program Requirements

Confirmation requires full intention and willingness. A young person entering into this sacramental preparation process must be:

A baptized Catholic
16 years old or older
Willing to profess the Catholic faith
Willing to take on the role of a disciple of Christ

The decision to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation is not one to be taken lightly, for it involves both Faith and commitment.

What are the requirements of the Confirmation preparation program?

Complete the Registration form
Attach a copy of the Baptism certificate
Select a Sponsor

Each candidate is asked to choose a mentor from within the Catholic community to act as a sponsor during the Confirmation journey. Parents of the candidate may not be their sponsors.

Sponsor selection guidelines:
- A sponsor is a Confirmed Catholic, at least 16 years old as of October 1, 2008
- A sponsor must be active in the Faith. Active participation means that the sponsor regularly attends Mass and is involved in the Parish life.

Attend the Sunday preparation sessions, rituals, and the weekend retreat as designated in the preparation calendar.
Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. All candidates will prepare for and participate in a Reconciliation Service prior to being Confirmed.
Write a reflection on a Catholic Saint.
Write a letter to Father Felino Paulino, Pastor.
Complete and log in 15 hours of service and submit a reflection paper.

Reconciliation

Of all the words Jesus spoke, none were more widespread than words of forgiveness, healing and peace. He brought people back to wholeness and holiness by such words, and solemnized God’s reconciliation with the world by the mystery of his death and resurrection. Jesus entrusted this great ministry of reconciliation to his followers, and it has become incarnate in the Church in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This rite celebrates, in the life of a Christian, the grace of ongoing conversion and renewal, and the rebirth that happens when we turn away from sin, and believe in the Good News. The individual Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered in the church each Sunday: 9:45 - 10:15 a.m. Both the face-to-face and traditional screened options are available. Additionally, there are seasonal communal reconciliation services in Advent and Lent, providing opportunities for individual confession. And people may always call a parish priest and make an appointment for a more personal, face-to-face celebration of God's forgiveness.

Contact:
Fr. Felino Paulino
(206) 722-7888

Marriage

For the Christian, marriage is much more than a civil contract – it is a sacrament that allows the couple to signify and share in the unity and fruitfulness that exists between Christ and the Church. The marriage covenant is the context for husband and wife to grow in holiness and love, and has as its crown the generation and education of children.

Marriage in the Catholic Church, in this diocese, requires a minimum of a six-month preparation period, and presumes that at least one of the couple is an active member of St. George parish. Additionally, if either of the couple has been married before, a church annulment must be received before a wedding date can be set.

Contact:
Fr. Felino Paulino
(206) 722-7888

Annointing of the Sick

From the very beginning of the Church, Christians have strived to imitate Christ, who “went about doing good and healing all” - (Acts 10:38).

This is done through the visiting and consolation of the sick and suffering, and the sponsoring of hospitals and care facilities, but is concretized in a special way in the Sacrament of Anointing. The Apostle James prescribes that the sick be prayed over, and anointed with oil, noting that the “prayer of faith will save the sick” (James 5:15).

Here in the parish, Anointing of the Sick is offered at seasonally announced Sunday masses twice a year: once in the late fall, and again in the spring. The parish priests are also available to make house or hospital calls with this sacrament, as the need arises.

Contact:
Fr. Felino Paulino
(206) 722-7888

Sacramental Preparation

First Reconciliation, First Communion

Second graders from the school and the parish programs are prepared with active involvement of the parents. A team of Catechists from the School and Parish Program as well as the Priests work together to enable the parents to prepare their child(ren) for the reception of these sacraments.

Contact:
Caroline Fredette
(206) 723-7141