The Sacraments of the Church are those visible rites seen as signs that mark the important moments of our lives in a way that we can touch, feel, and remember. It’s said that our sacraments are an outward expression of an interior grace.
1210 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.
BAPTISM
Baptism makes us members of the Body and marks the entry into the mystery of faith and participation in the Christian community: It may be received at any time of life but is given validly only once. Baptism of infants up to 7 years, children 8-17 years, and adults 18 and older each require separate periods of preparation.
Adults and older children are usually baptized once a year during the Easter vigil through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) or children’s RCIA. Infants may be baptized throughout the year.
- For infant Baptism, call Teri Loera at (559) 439-0124 x 102 or email tloera@stanthonyfresno.org
For additional information on the sacrament of Baptism, visit the Baptism web page. - For the Baptism of older children 7-12, call Mary Briseño at (559) 439-0124 x113 or email mbriseno@stanthonyfresno.org
- For teen baptism 13-17, call Sharon Christison at (559) 439-0124 x117 or email schristison@stanthonyfresno.org
- For adult baptism 18 and older, call Martha Ferguson at (559) 439-0124 x114 or email mdanksferg@stanthonyfresno.org
For additional information on the sacrament of baptism visit the Baptism web page.
RECONCILIATION-CONFESSION
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is important to our spiritual health. Rightly given, it is a cleansing of the soul and healing of one’s spirit. St. Anthony of Padua provides a regular time to offer confession and receive absolution, every Saturday at 10:00am and Tuesdays at 6pm in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel (with some exceptions for Holy Days or other scheduled celebrations during the year).
If it has been some years since your last confession, or you wish for a longer time for discussion and advice, you are free to make an appointment with one of our priests at a mutually convenient time. Call the parish office at (559) 439-0124 for assistance.
For Sacraments preparation, the First Reconciliation-Confession is usually received several months before First Communion. Contact the GIFT/Children’s Religious Education Coordinator, Mary Briseño at (559) 439-0124 ext. 113 or visit the GIFT web page for additional information.
FIRST EUCHARIST
Most children prepare to receive their First Eucharist around 2nd grade. Every year, we prepare hundreds of children from both public and our Catholic schools for this important event in their faith lives. Parental involvement is both encouraged and expected, as parents are the primary teachers and models of Christian faith for their children. Two years of religious education preparation is required prior to receiving First Communion. Contact the GIFT/Children’s Religious Education Coordinator, Mary Briseño at (559) 439-0124 ext. 113 or visit the GIFT web page for additional information.
CONFIRMATION
The Rite of Confirmation completes the Sacraments of Initiation and brings members into fuller communion with the faith through formal assent given as adults. For baptized Catholics, confirmation is most commonly received during high school.
Teen Confirmation
Candidates for teen confirmation must be at least 16 years of age and a Junior in high school to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. A two-year preparation program is required, starting during the student’s Sophomore year. For information about our Teen Confirmation contact Sharon Christison at (559) 439-0124 ext. 117. For additional information on the sacrament of Confirmation, visit the Confirmation web page.
High School Sacraments: If you are preparing for Baptism or Communion you need to register in our Life Teen youth program. Sessions are Sunday nights from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.
Middle School Sacraments: You will need to register in the middle school youth program. Sessions are held Sunday afternoon from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm.
A program for adult confirmation is also available to those who have yet to receive the sacrament. Adult confirmation is also for those baptized into different Christian traditions who wish to begin practicing the Catholic faith. Contact Martha Ferguson at the office of RCIA (559) 439-0124 ext. 114 or email mdanksferg@stanthonyfresno.org
Adult Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confirmation: Those wanting to know more about our Church or in receiving Baptism, Confirmation or Eucharist (R.C.I.A.– Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) are welcome to join us every Tuesday night in the Conference Room from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Our group is open to new members anytime during the year. No pre-registration is required. Contact the RCIA/Adult Education Coordinator, Martha Danks Ferguson at (559) 439-0124 ext. 114 or email mdanksferg@stanthonyfresno.org for additional information.
MARRIAGE
The Sacrament of Marriage involves a lifetime commitment. It is both joyful and profound. Preparation for Catholic marriage requires six months of advance notice in the Diocese of Fresno. This includes a time of preparation and counseling and a weekend Engaged Encounter Retreat. You must be a current or recent parish member or immediate family to a registered parish member. For more information contact Deanna Driscoll at (559) 439-0124 ext. 119 or email ddriscoll@stanthonyfresno.org
For additional information on the sacrament of marriage, visit the Marriage web page.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
The Anointing of the Sick is offered to those who are suffering from any serious medical condition. Sometimes called by the former term, Last Rites or Extreme Unction, anointing brings grace to those challenged by disease, injury, and age. We urge all who are considering Anointing of the Sick not to wait until the last hours of life to call for a priest. Anyone whose health is seriously compromised may receive the anointing. Family and friends are encouraged to be present. Call the parish office for assistance at (559) 439-0121 x103
Communion and Visitation of the Homebound: Please inform the Ministry Office of sick or elderly parishioners who are at home, in hospitals, or in convalescent homes. For additional information call (559) 439-0124 ext. 105
HOLY ORDERS AND VOCATIONS
Our vocation is our life’s calling in light of God’s grace. It may consist of many worthy things. If you feel you are called to ordination as a Catholic priest or deacon, or to vowed religious life as a woman or man, contact your local pastor, priest, deacon, or spiritual director to explore this calling further. You are free to contact our church clergy or the Director of Vocations FR. DAN AVILA (559) 488-7424 or email vocations@dioceseoffresno.org
