Sacraments
Anointing of the Sick
“Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.” James 5:14-15
In the Fall of each year, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated communally at St. Anthony. Parishioners who have a serious illness and those preparing for surgery are invited to come forward and be anointed. If you or a loved one are hospitalized, homebound, or scheduled for any type of surgery and wish to receive this sacrament please call the parish office at 309-697-0645.
Baptism
“Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” John 3:5
Baptism is the way in which a person becomes a member of the Catholic Church. It forgives all sins that may have been committed prior to a person’s baptism including original sin, mortal sins, and venial sins, and it relieves the punishment for those sins. It turns the person into a newly adopted child of God. Anyone who has not already been baptized can receive the sacrament of Baptism in the Catholic Church. Baptism leaves an indelible mark on the soul and there is no way nor any reason that one could be re-baptized.
Infant Baptism
Celebrated after the Sunday 11:30a.m. mass. Special arraignments can be made for other times.
A Parent preparation class is required before baptism. Please contact the parish office at 309-697-0645 for an appointment.
Adult Baptism
“I will sprinkle clean water over you to make you clean; from all your impurities and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:25-26
We welcome people of all ages into our community. The process for welcoming adults into the Roman Catholic faith is known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). [Click here] for more information.
Confirmation
“Only in Christ can men and women find answers to the ultimate questions that trouble them. Only in Christ can they fully understand their dignity as persons created and loved by God.” Pope Saint John Paul II
The sacrament of confirmation is the maturation of the sacrament of baptism. It completes the process of initiation into the Catholic community, and it matures the soul for the work ahead.
The sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated for our parish students in their seventh/eight grade year. Candidates for Confirmation must be enrolled in our Religious Education Program and fulfill other requirements. Contact the Director of Religious Education at 309-697-0627 for additional information.
For adult Catholics who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation it is desirable to do so and may do so at the Easter Vigil after appropriate catechesis. For those converting to the faith and enrolled in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), they are Confirmed at the Easter Vigil. [Click here] for more information.
Eucharist
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26-28
“Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.'” John 6:53-54
The Eucharist is the real presence of Christ. Our gathering and celebration of the Eucharist is our opportunity to praise God and be purified and made holy by God. At St. Anthony Parish, the Eucharist is celebrated at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, as well as Tuesday thru Friday at 7:30 am.
Holy Orders
For those considering the priesthood and wishing to obtain more information, contact the Office of Priestly Vocations.
Matrimony
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” Matthew 19:6
For those considering holy matrimony, please [Click here] for more information.
Penance
“Confession is an act of honesty and courage – an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God.” Pope Saint John Paul II
The Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) re-establishes the bond between God and human beings, or between two persons. When one sins, after baptism, this sacrament is needed to restore one’s relationship with God. Also, since all Catholics are connected through the body of Christ, Penance reconciles one with the church. Sin damages or even breaks this communion.
The Sacrament of Penance is celebrated at St. Anthony every Saturday afternoon at 3:45-4:15. The pastor is also available by appointment, please call the parish office at 309-697-0645 to schedule.