Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian’s life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life.

~ CCC 1210

Baptism

Emily Todd  |   

Baptism Preparation Class
Tuesdays: March 12 or June 11 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
St. Paul Room

Baptism is only the beginning!
“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)

At Saint Patrick Parish, you will experience a different kind of baptismal formation. We use a baptism preparation program and parenting resources to:
1- Inspire parents to start discovering the dreams they have for their child, their marriage, and their family.
2- Invite parents to explore the ways God and the Church can help them.
3- Encourage parents to understand and maximize their role during the years they are the primary influencers of their child’s life and beliefs.

Parents seeking baptism for their infant/young child attend a baptism formation session. Expectant parents are especially encouraged to attend before baby arrives! Sessions are held quarterly to connect with other parents and gain fuller appreciation for the beautiful Sacrament of Baptism. Once you attend a formation session, you will be able to schedule your child’s baptism.

Sessions are held at Saint Patrick Parish in the St. Paul Room.
Tuesdays, 6:00pm-8:00pm | March 12, June 11 (choose 1)

To register for a Baptism Formation session, complete this form.
If you have attended a session in the past 2 years, please contact Emily Todd.

Emily Todd  | 

First Communion

Emily Todd  |   

At Saint Patrick Parish, we use a three pillar approach for First Reconciliation and First Communion during a 2 year preparation process that begins in first grade. The Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are usually celebrated in the winter and spring of a child’s second grade year.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated in January with First Communion in April.  Family retreats are held at the church in advance of the celebration of each sacrament to assist the family in their role of sacramental preparation.

For more details and dates on 1st Sacraments for children | Click Here

Reconciliation

Fr. John Gerritts  |   

Reconciliation is held at Saint Patrick Church each Saturday morning at 10:00 am in the Chapel or upon request at Father John’s availability.

For adults joining the Church through our Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, 1st Reconciliation is celebrated on Holy Saturday of Holy Week.  For parents wishing for their child to receive their 1st Reconciliation, please click here to learn about 1st Sacraments (Communion and Reconciliation) at Saint Patrick Parish.

Confirmation

Antoinette Kaiser |   

The Journey

High School Faith Formation is a three year process that allows for the comprehensive exposition of the faith while remaining anchored in spiritual formation. The process leads to the preparation for and the celebration of Confirmation at the beginning of the students Junior year.

“The Journey” is our Confirmation Program at Saint Patrick Parish. We have made changes to the program the past few years as we seek to establish a program that meets Diocesan requirements and most importantly, serve our youth well. No more sitting in classes, now we will be joining together and actively learning about our faith.

Click Here to find out more about The Journey

Anointing of the Sick

Fr. John Gerritts  |   

The Anointing of the Sick “is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.” (CCC 1514). Those who are preparing for surgery or weakened by age or illness may wish to celebrate the sacrament. Only bishops and priests may be ministers of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, and it may be celebrated several times by an individual believer. Those who anticipate surgery, or family members of those who are in a weakened condition, may wish to contact the parish to celebrate the sacrament. Residents at Christian Community Home celebrate the sacrament twice a year and as needed.

Pastoral Visit
Please contact either Fr. John Gerritts if you or a loved one is sick, hospitalized, or home-bound.

Marriage

Fr. John Gerritts  |   

Marriage is a sacrament, which is an outward, visible sign of an inward, invisible reality — in this case, the reality of two separate people joining their lives into one, giving themselves to each other in love. A sacrament is also a visible manifestation of God’s grace and love in our lives. All sacraments are public celebrations within the local faith community, or parish. Marriage is also a civil, legal contract. This is just as true in a “church” wedding as it is when you are married by the justice of the peace. But by deciding to be married in a church, you have chosen to also recognize the religious and spiritual aspects of this celebration.

According to the Roman Catholic Church’s Statewide Common Policy for Marriages, a minimum of six (6) months’ preparation is required from your first contact with the priest until your marriage day. Due to the large number of weddings at Saint Patrick Church, please make contact with the priest as soon as you make your intent to marry, even if it is a year or more in advance. Before you make any other definite wedding plans, make sure that the time and date you desire for your wedding is available. This is a very busy parish, and events are put on the calendar on a first-come, first-served basis. Weddings can be celebrated on any day of the week except Sunday (Diocese of Superior regulation), and generally are not celebrated during the liturgical season of Lent (late Winter to early Spring).

As you plan your wedding day, let it reflect your love. Make plans about attendants, the wedding dress, your reception, flowers, pictures, etc.  But remember, as important as this day is to you, the actual wedding is about an hour (or less) of your life. Don’t let it overwhelm you, or become an enormous production. What’s important is how you live out your love to each other and the Lord every day of your life.

To learn more about our new marriage prep program, Witness to Love, follow this LINK.

Holy Orders

Fr. John Gerritts  |   

St. Ignatius of Antioch once said, “Let everyone revere the deacons as Jesus Christ, the bishop as the image of the Father, and the presbyters as the senate of God and the assembly of the apostles. For without them one cannot speak of the Church.”  We are blessed in our Parish Family to have three deacons serve our parish.  All three of our deacons were members of our parish when they heard the call to become a deacon. Gentlemen, do you feel the call to become a deacon or even a priest, please reach out to Father John or one of our wonderful deacons.

Rite of Christian Initiation

Katie Waldal  |   

Becoming Catholic
Formerly Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults                  

Thinking about becoming Catholic or walking with someone as a sponsor?

  • Looking to receive Baptism, Holy Communion or Confirmation as an adult?
  • Looking to have your child Baptized or receive Communion and the child is older than second grade?
  • Are you Baptized Catholic and looking to receive Communion and/or Confirmation?
  • Looking to be a Sponsor for someone Becoming Catholic?

The “Becoming Catholic Ministry” (formerly The Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) for adults and older children) is what you are looking for!

Come join us for a “Becoming Catholic” Discovery Session! Discover what “Becoming Catholic” is all about! Bring your questions and your stories, we are here to listen and walk with you on your spiritual journey, just like Jesus walks each day with everyone.

The “Becoming Catholic Ministry” is for adults, and children older than 2nd grade, who are seeking to be received into the Catholic Church. During the Becoming Catholic Process we discuss many topics related to deepening our relationship with Jesus, the understanding of God, the mystery of faith at work in our lives, among many other topics related to faith and one’s own spiritual journey. The “Becoming Catholic” Process is a spiritual journey open to the baptized, un-baptized, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. We are always inviting “seekers,” those interested, intrigued or perhaps just curious about becoming Catholic to join others on their own journey.

We are inviting those that might be:

  • People who hunger deep within themselves to come into a better relationship with God through Jesus Christ and His Church.
  • People who have been contemplating joining the Catholic Church but have been putting it off for some reason or another.
  • People who have not had the opportunity to complete the Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, First Eucharist & Confirmation).
  • People who are already baptized looking to join our Church or finish their Sacraments.
  • People who are looking to belong to a faith community.

Discovery Sessions and “Becoming Catholic” Process start date:

Discovery Sessions are held on an individual basis for the upcoming process. We would love to connect with those seeking to begin the process, those that have questions in regard to the Catholic Faith or those looking to join the Catholic Church. Please contact us to schedule a time. We look forward to hearing from you, connecting with you and meeting you.

The “Becoming Catholic” Process begins each fall. The journey through the process is a time of continual discernment. Those that are seeking go through the process and then receive all the Sacraments at Easter Vigil.

If we have already started the process and you are still discerning, questioning and considering the “Becoming Catholic” Process, it is never too late. Discovery Sessions are held year round. Please contact one of us on the back with your questions.

Sponsors – Looking to be a Sponsor for someone Becoming Catholic?

Are you a member of our Catholic community who is looking to serve and walk with someone as they journey through the year in the “Becoming Catholic Ministry (formerly Rite of Christian Initiation- RCIA)” by giving back, or sponsor someone who wants to receive Communion, Confirmation, or wants to become Catholic? We would love to connect with you and discuss more about the “Role of a Sponsor” in the “Becoming Catholic Ministry.” Please use the contact information below.

Contacts |  Katie Waldal & Deacon Howard Cameron