St. Patrick Church - Chatham, NJ: Sacraments

Sacraments

Arrangements should be made during pregnancy/adoption planning or shortly after birth by calling Deacon Joe Wisneski at (973) 635-4976. Parents will be interviewed by Deacon Joe or another staff member to obtain the information needed for the church's sacramental records. Families living within the parish area are encouraged to register with the parish for contact information. First time parents and those new to St. Patrick Parish are required to attend an instructional session on the sacrament with members of the Baptism ministry. Please contact Deacon Joe with any questions.

The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated at 12:30PM on Sundays or at a regularly scheduled weekend Mass. Volunteers host baptismal preparation meetings with parents and a staff member.

Contact: Deacon Joe Wisneski - (973) 635-4976

Eucharist/Reconciliation

The sacramental preparation for the children of the parish is an experience-filled time for both child and parent. It is a two-year preparation period which stresses Eucharistic participation, prayer and celebration.

Family and parish experiences are necessary and important. All parents, along with their child, take part in family preparation for Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and a Retreat Day prior to the celebration of First Eucharist. Sacramental preparation is for life. It is the beginning of a relation with Jesus.

First Reconciliation is usually celebrated in the fall. First Eucharist is celebrated in the spring during the Easter Season at a Sunday liturgy or in a group celebration on one of the Saturdays in May.

Contact: Virginia Salvatore 635-0625

Confirmation Preparation
Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit – his actions, his gifts, and his biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. The latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands.

- Catechism of the Catholic Church #1309

Currently in the Paterson Diocese, one must prepare for at least two years at a high school level before one can come forward for the sacrament of Confirmation.

Our diocesan guidelines state that Confirmation preparation is a part of Youth Ministry. Therefore, in order to prepare for Confirmation, one is invited to participate in the parish in such a way that all eight components of Youth Ministry are experienced. To learn more about Youth Ministry, go to the Youth Ministry pages. When you do, you will find that the three goals of Youth Ministry are simply a re-wording of the previous text from the Catechism.

Contact: Maggie Grady (973) 635-0625 x28

Marriage Preparation

Couples wishing to celebrate the sacrament of Matrimony should notify the Church one year in advance of the planned wedding date. They are expected to participate in Pre Cana. Sessions are held regularly.

Contact: 973-635-0625

St. Patricks Parish Marriage Information Booklet