Welcome to an introduction to the Sacraments at St Joseph's Catholic Parish, Cessnock!
What is a Sacrament? According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church , ‘The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church , by which divine life is dispensed to us’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, Paragraph 1131). In simple language: a Sacrament has an outward visible part, and an inward invisible part. In the unseen working of Grace in the Sacrament we are touched by God's power and presence. There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism , Penance (Reconciliation or Confession), Eucharist, Confirmation (or Chrismation), Matrimony, Holy Orders , and Anointing of the Sick. Both children and adults may receive sacraments at different times in their lives. The first four Sacraments are often referred to as the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism , Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Often children in Primary School will receive the Sacraments of Initiation. However, adults can also receive the Sacraments of Initiation through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Catholic Church Welcome to an introduction to the Sacraments at St Joseph's Catholic Parish. If your child is in Primary School you are most likely interested in the sacraments or Reconciliation (Confession), Confirmation and Eucharist.
Please see the drop-down menu bar above for Individual Sacraments or programs of Sacraments.