-
Anointing of the Sick
If a loved one is seriously ill, contact the parish office and arrangements will be made for our Pastor to administer the Sacrament of the Sick. Holy Communion is brought regularly to the sick, elderly and shut-ins of our parish community.
Baptism
The Celebration of Baptism takes place on the second & 4th Sunday of each month (most months) at 1:00 p.m. We are unable to schedule private baptisms.
Families who are registered and/or live within the boundaries of our parish, should contact the parish office three months in advance to schedule their child’s baptism.
Parents are required to attend a Baptism Preparation class held on the first Monday of the month, prior to the baptism, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the parish meeting room. In choosing Godparents for your child’s baptism, one Godparent must be Roman Catholic.
Confirmation
GENERAL INFORMATION: Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation begins in September of each calendar year for Grade 8 students. Students enrolled in the Catholic School system will prepare for Confirmation as part of their academic religion program. Students enrolled in a Public or Private school, must complete Catholic religious instruction. Mary Mother of God Parish offers a catechetical program through correspondence. Students who have not received catholic religious instruction between Sacrament years (Grade 2 and Grade 8) may be required to complete three years of religious instruction (Grades 4, 5 & 8) in order to be properly prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Registration for the Catechetical Program runs from May to early September of each calendar year. Cut-off for registration is September 30th!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES FROM ST. MARGUERITE D’YOUVILLE, HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND THOSE IN OUR PARISH CATECHETICAL PROGRAM who celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation Saturday, January 14th, 2012. Thank you to Bishop Douglas Crosby, Rev. John Van Hees for a beautiful celebration! Thank you to Mrs. Colleen Gamble, Pastoral Assistant, Grade 8 teachers and staff at our Catholic Schools, Mrs. Linda Peluso, Grade 8 Catechetics Teacher and parents who helped to prepare our candidates. We wish our students peace and joy in their continued path of spiritual growth!
First Eucharist
General Information: Preparation for the Sacrament of First Communion begins in September of the school year. Students in Grade 2 prepare as part of their religion academic program in the Catholic schools or in the “Catechetical” parish program (for those students in non Catholic schools). For information on the Catehetical program offered by our parish, please refer to the “Catechetics” tab on our website. Celebration of the Sacrament of First Communion takes place over 3 weekends following Easter Sunday of each calendar year.
1ST COMMUNION RETREAT SCHEDULE: Holy Family School & Catechetics Students - 9:45 a.m. Friday, April 13th, 2012; St. Andrew School – 9:45 a.m. Friday, April 20th, 2012; St. Marguerite d’Youville Students – 9:45 a.m. Thursday, April 26th, 2012.
1st COMMUNION CELEBRATION SCHEDULE: Holy Family School & Catechetics Students – Sunday, April 15th, 2012 – 1:00 p.m.; St. Andrew School – Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 – 1:00 p.m.; St. Marguerite d’Youville School – Sunday, April 29th, 2012 – 1:00 p.m.
First Reconciliation
SACRAMENT OF FIRST RECONCILIATION
General Information: Preparation for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation begins in September of the school year. Children in Grade 2 prepare as part of their religion academic program in the Catholic Schools or in the parish Catechetical program (for children attending non Catholic schools). Information regarding the Catechetics program can be found under the “Catechetics” tab on our website.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADE 2 STUDENTS FROM HOLY FAMILY, ST. MARGUERITE D’YOUVILLE, ST. ANDREW SCHOOLS AND OUR PARISH CATECHETICAL STUDENTS WHO CELEBRATED THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION IN NOVEMBER. GOD BLESS OUR CHILDREN ON THEIR CONTINUED JOURNEY OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH AS THEY PREPARE FOR THE SACRAMENT OF FIRST COMMUNION.
Funerals
MASSES FOR THE DEAD
From the very beginning, the Church has honoured the memory of the dead and offered prayers for them, above all, the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, purified, they may have the beatific vision of God. (see Cathechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1032). Indeed, St. Ambrose (d.397) preached: “We have loved them during life; let us not abandon them in death, until we have conducted them by our prayers into the house of the Lord.”
It remains the custom of Catholics, on the occasion of death, to request that a Mass be offered for the deceased. Although there is no cost for such a request, the usual offering made to the parish in Hamilton Diocese is $10. The presentation of a Mass card to the bereaved is one of the most beautiful expressions of sympathy we can offer to those who mourn. It is also a powerful expression of oru faith in the Lord’s promise of eternal life and a loving gift to the faithful departed. A Mass for the deceased may be requested at any time and is a fitting way to remember our brothers and sisters who have gone before us on the anniversary of their death and on other special occasions.
A CATHOLIC FUNERAL
Did you know that it is our tradition to celebrate the funeral liturgy for Catholics in the church? It is our custom to celebrate the Funeral Mass in the church with the body present. When it is not possible to have the body present, the cremated remains may be brought to the church.
Sometimes family members who are not Catholic or who have abandoned the practice of their faith feel uncomfortable celebrating a funeral Mass in the church on behalf of the deceased. In such circumstances it may be appropriate to celebrate a Liturgy of the Word (without Communion) in the church. A funeral liturgy for a member of our church at a local funeral home is strongly discouraged.
It is important that you (as a practising Catholic) make this information, as well as your personal wishes, known to your family members and those who will be responsible for making your funeral arrangements. It is also recommended that you include these wishes in your will. (Source: Liturgy Office, Diocese of Hamilton; liturgy@hamiltondiocese.com)
General Information
When a death occurs in your family, call the parish office immediately. Our pastor will assist you in making the liturgical arrangements. If you are unable to speak to someone personally, please leave a message as our voice mail is retrieved frequently. The website address of The Catholic Cemeteries is www.thecatholiccemeteries.ca.
Marriage
If you are planning to marry at Mary Mother of God Parish, contact the parish one year in advance of the proposed wedding date. At least one member of the couple must be registered and/or living within the boundaries of our parish. Marriage dates cannot be confirmed until couples have scheduled an appointment to meet with the Pastor.
Couples are required to attend a Marriage Preparation or Marriage Encounter weekend. Marriage Preparation is offered once a year during the month of February at Mary Mother of God Parish. Alternate programs can be found by calling the Diocese of Hamilton at 1-905-528-7988. ATTENTION 2012 MARRIAGE COUPLES: If you wish to attend our parish Marriage Preparation class (which begins Wednesday, January 11th, please return the registration form and payment to the parish office as soon as possible).
Music Services for weddings are provided by Mary Mother of God Parish. Please contact Colleen Gamble at 905-849-8968 or cggamble@cogeco.ca for information on fees and services.
-
