Sacraments
Sacraments and Sacramentals
- Signs of God's grace in our lives
- We recognize that the Sacraments have a visible and invisible reality, a reality open to all the human senses but grasped in its God-given depths with the eyes of faith. When parents hug their children, for example, the visible reality we see is the hug. The invisible reality the hug conveys is love. We cannot "see" the love the hug expresses, though sometimes we can see its nurturing effect in the child.
The visible reality we see in the Sacraments is their outward expression, the form they take, and the way in which they are administered and received. The invisible reality we cannot "see" is God's grace, his gracious initiative in redeeming us through the death and Resurrection of his Son. His initiative is called grace because it is the free and loving gift by which he offers people a share in his life, and shows us his favor and will for our salvation. Our response to the grace of God's initiative is itself a grace or gift from God by which we can imitate Christ in our daily lives.
The saving words and deeds of Jesus Christ are the foundation of what he would communicate in the Sacraments through the ministers of the Church. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church recognizes the existence of Seven Sacraments instituted by the Lord. They are the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist), the Sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick), and the Sacraments at the Service of Communion (Marriage and Holy Orders). Through the Sacraments, God shares his holiness with us so that we, in turn, can make the world holier.
Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism
Christ the King Parish invites you to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism of your child. We ask that parents attend a pre-baptism class with our staff prior to the baptism of their first child. This class can be attended before the child is born also. Please contact Susan at 812-367-1212 to set up a Baptismal date, ask any questions, or to register your child.
Confirmation
Christ the King Parish's Confirmation is in the spring each year. Dates vary based on the Bishop's schedule. Please contact the parish office for dates and questions.
Eucharist
Christ the King Parish's First Communion is generally scheduled in April. Please contact the parish office or bulletin for dates.
Sacraments of Healing
Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available on Fridays at 6:30 AM and Saturdays at 4:00 PM at the St. Ferdinand Church campus and on Sundays at 7:00 AM at the St. Henry Church campus. If you desire to receive this sacrament outside of the posted times, you can request a meeting with the priest by calling the parish office at 812-367-1212.
Anointing of the Sick
Please contact the parish office with requests for individualized anointing. Anointings are held regularly following the masses on the first Tuesday and Wednesday of each month. Other additional anointings will be announced.
Service of Communion
Marriage
A new policy has been put into motion. When you begin planning your wedding, checking for church availability should be your first step. Contact Susan at the Parish Office, 812-367-1212 to reserve your special day. She will then get the date approved by the pastor. Upon receiving the nonrefundable deposit, the date will then be put into the books. Then, approximately 6 months before the wedding, contact the office to set a time to start marriage preparation sessions. Please look at our Marriage Page which has information concerning weddings.
Holy Orders
Information regarding the Sacrament of Holy Orders can be found through the Evansville diocesan office.
