Baptism

The first sacrament where a person becomes a member of the Church. No other sacrament can be received without it. A priest or Deacon performs this rite by pouring water on the head therefore cleansing their original sin through water and the word. Usually, Baptism takes place when the candidate is an infant however, it’s never too late for an adult to begin their journey of faith with God. If you are an adult and wish to be received into the Catholic Church, please refer to the RCIA section at the bottom of this page for more information

Anyone who wishes to schedule a Baptism please register on the link provided at the bottom of this section.

Parents of a child registering for Baptism for the first time are required to attend a Pre-Baptism Class. The purpose of this class with Deacon Bill Koniers is to convey an understanding of this sacrament in the Catholic Church today; to help parents recognize their sacred responsibility and role in the development of their child’s faith, and to welcome both newly baptized and their families into Our Lady of Peace parish family. Please call the Parish office at (610) 532-8081 for more information.

Baptisms are scheduled every Sunday at Our Lady of Peace Church at 12:30 PM (after the 11:30 AM Mass). Both Godparents must be at least 16 years of age, and also have a letter of good standing from his/her current Parish. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic Church may be admitted as a Christian witness to Baptism along with another Catholic sponsor. Proof of a Baptism will be required for Christian witness.

Eligibility Certificates for those who have been asked to be a sponsor for Baptism or Confirmation, or if you wish to obtain a Baptismal Certificate, please call the Parish Office at (610) 532-8081.

Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation that follows Baptism as part of the initiation process with God and the Church, where the candidate receives the gift of the Holy Spirit and continue their journey with Christ. During Confirmation, the candidate is anointed on the forehead with chrism by a Bishop. Since Baptism typically happens when the candidate is a baby, Confirmation is a way for an older child or an adult through the RCIA process to acknowledge that they still want to continue their journey with God and grow their relationship with Him

In the Parish of Our Lady of Peace, candidates for this Sacrament are prepared through our Notre Dame de Lourdes School or through our PREP (Religious Education Program).

Adults can also receive this Sacrament through a process called Rite of Christian Initiation or RCIA. Please visit this section at the bottom of this page or call the Parish Office for more information.

Eucharist

(Holy Communion) The word Eucharist means Thanksgiving. During the Mass, bread and wine are transformed into Christ’s body and blood and are received by Catholics in the state of grace. The very first Eucharist was celebrated by Our Lord during “The Last Supper” on Holy Thursday night where He broke bread, ate it, and gave it to His disciples and told them to eat it. Now the Priest, through the words of consecration, blesses and administers the Holy Communion during every Mass to remind followers that they are one with Christ. We are nourished spiritually when we partake in receiving Holy Communion.

In the Parish of Our Lady of Peace, candidates for this Sacrament are prepared through our Notre Dame de Lourdes School or through our PREP (Religious Education Program).

Adults can also receive this Sacrament through a process called Rite of Christian Initiation or RCIA. Please visit this section at the bottom of this page or call the Parish Office for more information.

Penance

During the Sacrament of Penance, (or commonly known as “going to confession”), a Catholic confesses their sins to God through a priest who forgives their sins by God’s mercy, and orders them to live a more faithful life through absolution. This Sacrament at Our Lady of Peace Parish takes place in the rear of the Church in the “Confessional box.” Once this sacrament is received, a person will be in the “State of Grace.” Confession is essential to cultivating and fruitfully living out the word of God. We’re not perfect people, even if we try to be. It feels so much better to confess some of those things you have done wrong and receive forgiveness. This helps us have a stronger relationship with God. Catholics at a minimum must receive this Sacrament at least once a year.

In the Parish of Our Lady of Peace, candidates for this sacrament are prepared through Notre dame de Lourdes School or through our PREP (Religious Education Program).

Adults can also receive this Sacrament through a process called Rite of Christian Initiation or RCIA. Please visit this section at the bottom of this page or call the Parish Office for more information.

Anointing of The Sick

This Sacrament is bestowed upon individuals who are seriously ill or suffering, and are near death. The Sacramental anointing of a person unites them with Jesus’ suffering on Good Friday. This sacrament is administered by a priest who anoints the forehand and hands of the person with chrism. During this Sacrament, a priest also recites special prayers and administers a blessing. This special blessing is one way to make the ill feel strengthened and more connected with God in both mind and body.

If a person wishes to receive this Sacrament or, if you are calling on behalf of a family member, please call the Parish Office at (610) 532-8082

Holy Orders

In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, baptized men are ordained to serve the Catholic Church as Deacons, Priests, and Bishops. Through this Sacrament, the Catholic Church continue the mission of that Jesus Christ first gave to the Apostles – the special mission of preaching the Good News and leading and serving the Catholic Church. Those ordained in the Sacrament of Holy Orders receive the grace necessary to carry our their ministry to the faithful and are imprinted with an indelible Sacramental character.

Any male interested in pursuing a vocation to the priesthood or permanent diaconate , please contact Father Joseph McCaffrey at (610) 532-8081 or by email at josephm845@aol.com

For more information on pursuing vocation to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, proceed to the following website, http://heedthecall.org/

For more information on pursuing a vocation in the permanent diaconate in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, proceed to the following website, https://archphila.org/deacon/

Matrimony

The Sacrament of Marriage is a sacred union between a man and wife. The devotion a husband and wife have to each other, and to Christ, mirrors Christ’s love and service to the Church. Through marriage, a couple promises to help build each other up in Faith, serve each other and the church and be faithful to each other until death. In a sacramental marriage, God’s love becomes present to the spouses in their total union and also flows through them to their family and community. By their permanent, faithful and exclusive giving to each other, the couple reveals of God’s unconditional love. The Sacrament of Christian marriage involves their entire life as they journey together through the ups and downs of marriage and become more able to give to and receive from each other. Their life becomes sacramental to the extent that the couple cooperates with God’s action in their life and sees themselves as living “in Christ” and Christ living and acting in their relationship, attitudes and actions.

Anyone who wishes to be married at Our Lady of Peace Parish is asked to contact Father Joseph McCaffrey at the Parish Office at (610) 532-8081 at least six months before the desired date to schedule an appointment about their upcoming wedding. Please note that no weddings will be held on Sundays, Holy Days, and certain Solemnities. Couples must attend a marriage preparation program called Pre-Cana. This program includes discussion of the mission and purpose of marriage preparation, an introduction to the Sacrament of Marriage, guest speakers and recommendations for resources to use with engaged couples. Please see the information for Pre-Cana below.

For more information on Pre-Cana classes and marriage preparation, please visit the Archdiocesan website at phillycatholiclife.org