Grow In Faith Through The Sacraments
The sacraments are beautiful gifts from Jesus Christ, outward signs of God’s love that fill us with His grace through the power of the Holy Spirit. In simple terms, they are sacred moments where God meets us, strengthens us, and walks with us through life.
At Saint Agnes Parish, we celebrate the seven sacraments instituted by Christ: Baptism, Confirmation (Chrismation), Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. These holy moments touch every stage of our lives, from our earliest beginnings to our most significant commitments.
Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism - Infant
We joyfully welcome families preparing for the Baptism of their child. Parents are asked to attend a baptismal preparation class before their baby is baptized. We encourage you to take the class before your little one arrives, if possible, as it offers a beautiful opportunity to reflect, learn, and prepare for this sacred moment.
Information for those serving as a Godparent for Baptism or a Sponsor for Confirmation can be found below.
Baptism - Adults
Each year, adults throughout the United States enter the Catholic Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). This journey of faith prepares individuals to receive the Sacraments of Initiation and become full members of the Catholic Church.
For those preparing for Baptism, the journey includes the Rite of Election, traditionally celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent. During this rite, catechumens gather with their sponsors and families to express their desire to be baptized. Their names are recorded, and they are formally recognized as the Elect as they continue preparing to receive Baptism at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.
OCIA is a time of prayer, learning, and spiritual growth for adults exploring the Catholic faith. If you are interested in becoming Catholic or learning more about the faith, we welcome you to contact St. Agnes Parish to learn more about the OCIA process.
First Eucharist & Confirmation
Children preparing to receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation participate in our Faith Formation program beginning in 1st grade, where they grow in their understanding and love of their faith.
Confirmation is a beautiful step in the faith journey, one that deepens (or confirms) the grace first given to us at Baptism. Confirmation calls us to activate the gifts of the Holy Spirit already given. We are invited to embrace the message of faith more fully and personally, with special focus on Jesus Christ and His great gift of the Holy Spirit. In this sacrament, we are strengthened and sent forth to be joyful witnesses of Jesus Christ and to serve others generously as we help build up the Church in loving and compassionate service. The normative age of Confirmation in the Diocese of Greensburg is 8th grade. Confirmation preparation begins in 7th grade.
For our younger children, we are happy to offer Pre-K and Kindergarten programs for families who would like to begin this formation early. We look forward to welcoming your family and supporting your child every step of the way. Sacramental preparation takes place in addition to ordinary faith formation.
The Sacrament of Penance is a gentle and grace-filled gift of God’s love and mercy. Through it, we are not only freed from our sins, but also invited to grow in compassion and forgiveness toward others. As we receive God’s mercy, our hearts are opened to become forgivers ourselves—living the beautiful truth expressed in the Prayer of St. Francis: “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.”
Jesus lovingly entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to the Church, offering us this sacrament so that any sin committed after Baptism may be forgiven. In confession, we are welcomed into a sacred encounter where we can repent, experience healing, and be restored to a close friendship with God. In this holy moment, we place ourselves in God’s presence with honesty and trust, confident in His mercy. Through absolution, we are reconciled not only with God, but also with the Church.
Catholics are obliged to confess at least once a year and anytime they are conscience of mortal sin. This sacrament gently reminds us that we are never meant to walk alone, for it is in God that “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28)
Sacraments of Healing
Penance / Confession
Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a beautiful and comforting sign of Christ’s loving presence among us. Through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus Himself who reaches out to touch those who are ill, offering healing, forgiveness, and hope. In the Gospels, Jesus’ healings were signs of the coming of God’s Kingdom, revealing His loving desire to overcome sin and death through His own dying and rising.
This sacrament is not meant only for the final moments of life. The Rite of Anointing reminds us that anyone facing a serious illness or the challenges of advanced age may receive this grace, even more than once, and whenever there is a true need.
When a person is anointed, we pray that, if it is God’s will, physical healing may occur. Yet even when the body is not healed, the sacrament always brings a deeper gift: spiritual healing. Through the Holy Spirit, the person receives peace, strength, and courage to face illness, suffering, or the frailty of aging, surrounded by the love and care of Christ and His Church.
Holy Matrimony
If you are recently engaged, we congratulate you on your decision to enter into covenant of holy matrimony.
Holy Matrimony is a sacred bond and a union between a free and capable man and woman made for the whole of one’s life in the presence of God and before at least two witnesses. For two Christians, it is also a sacrament of Jesus Christ, a special sign through which Christ gives grace to enrich family life. It is a great gift of God to his people. Indeed, throughout the scriptures from the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation, marriage is used as the primary image of the love of God for his people.
Marriage is both a religious and civil ceremony which affects the church and society as well as the spouses and their children. Therefore, the Catholic Church has both the right and obligation to assist its members to a proper, holy, and adequate preparation for and celebration of this vocation. Catholics also have the obligation to wed in the Church.
Below you will find a link to our guidelines for celebrating the sacrament of Holy Matrimony; they will answer most of your questions. As Catholics, we believe in marriage and want to make an investment in your marriage to give you tools for your life together. Beyond the sacrament, this is one of the greatest benefits of a Catholic wedding.
Please complete the marriage intake form and then contact the parish office at least 6 months in advance (preferably 1 year) to inquire about scheduling a date for your wedding and begin the preparation process.
As God has called you to live powerfully a most beautiful sacrament, and we look forward to working with you in preparation for your wedding ceremony and your marriage, and pledge to you our prayers and support. Contact the Parish office right away after reading the guidelines to begin this meaningful process.
If you have contracted a civil marriage outside of the Church and would like to enter a canonically valid marriage, please contact the parish clergy to discuss what this process might look like for you!
Helpful Timing Guidelines for Sacraments & Records
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Scheduling A Baptism
Contact the Parish Office before the baby is born to schedule a Baptism and to being preparation with Deacon Al Rosker.
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Sponsor Certificates
Anyone needing a sponsor certificate must be registered in the parish for at least six (6) months, have all of their Sacraments (if married, be a Catholic Marriage), attend Mass regularly and support the Parish. They may be asked to meet with Father.