In the Latin,  sacramentum, means a sign of the sacred; they are ceremonies that point to what is sacred and a vital part of the Catholic Christian tradition.

The saving words and deeds of Jesus Christ are the foundation of what he would communicate in the Sacraments through the ministers of the Church. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church recognizes the existence of Seven Sacraments instituted by the Lord. They are the Sacraments of Initiation ( Baptism,  Confirmation, the  Eucharist), the Sacraments of Healing ( Reconciliation and the  Anointing of the Sick), and the Sacraments at the Service of Communion ( Marriage and  Holy Orders). Through the Sacraments, God shares his holiness with us so that we, in turn, can make the world holier.
These are special occasions for experiencing God's saving presence. At St. Teresa's these sacraments are celebrated to the fullest.  

If you are interested in receiving a sacrament, please call the office at 219-464-4042.
 

Baptism

Baptism celebrates a family's and the faithful community's experience of that love in the baptized child.  Baptism happens not only to the child, but also to Christ's body, the Church. That is why we encourage this to be celebrated in the Christian assembly (most often during the liturgy of the mass), with our community members present and actively participating as they are the ones welcoming the new member, journeying with them, providing models for them, supporting and nourishing them.Please call the office at 219/464-4042 to make arrangements to have your child baptized. First time parents are required to view the following video series and complete the accompanying study guide. Reborn: You, Your Child and The Heart of Baptism - FORMED

Printable Godparent Certificate Form

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Reconciliation

Reconciliation is so critical in our lives; reconciliation with significant people, with ourselves and with our God.  Ones sinfulness is not always the same as one's sins.  As a sacrament of healing, it addresses our sinfulness rather than the sins and challenges us to search deep into our heart to discover the struggles, value conflicts which causes the sinful act to appear and thus allowing us to regain that full relationship with our God.  Sin against God equally damages that communion with the Church and thus during Lent and Advent we have an opportunity to celebrate in a communal reconciliation service; we encourage all to celebrate and frequent this sacrament. Children wishing to receive this Sacrament for the first time are required to be active in the Family Faith Formation program, and complete Reconciliation Formation classes, typically in the fall of the 3rd grade year.  
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Eucharist

First Communion, "Eucharist", is a momentous move in a person's life.  For a child, baptized as an infant into a family of God we call Church, will now take a place at the Lord's Table with the grownups. On this special day, family and community members join in that moment the child welcomes Jesus into their very being. The child, along with us, will now worship each week to celebrate all the grace-filled moments of our lives which are so easily overlooked.   Most profoundly we gather at Eucharist, our family meal, to be challenged to deeper awareness of what God is doing in our lives, in our fellow community members and in this world. Children wishing to receive First Eucharist are required to be active in the Family Faith Formation program, and complete First Eucharist classes, typically in the spring of the 3rd grade year. First Reconciliation must be completed first before a child can be eligible to prepare for First Eucharist. Check out this link to the classroom resources used for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist: God's Gift 2016 | Loyola Press
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Confirmation

At Confirmation, we learn what this new life in the Spirit implies: All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life. Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide. Give them the spirit of  wisdom and  understanding, the spirit of  right judgment and  courage, the spirit of  knowledge and  reverence. Fill them with the spirit of  wonder and awe in your presence" (Rite of Confirmation & Christian Initiation of Adults, #234). The prophet Isaiah taught that these seven gifts would be the sign of the Messiah, the one anointed by the Holy Spirit. The word Messiah ( Christos in Greek) means "anointed." Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one, the one filled with the Holy Spirit; at Confirmation we are anointed with that same Holy Spirit.  With Baptism and Eucharist, Confirmation shapes us as Catholic Christians; each of these three sacraments focuses on a different aspect of our life as believers; birth, breath, and nourishment.

Confirmation preparation takes place in the 8th grade year. Eligible students have been part of ongoing Family Faith Formation, or have had religious education records from another parish transferred to St. Teresa. Confirmation classes take place on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:00pm and last for 18 weeks. Check out this link to the classroom resources used for Confirmation: Confirmed in the Spirit: Confirmation Program | Loyola Press

Printable Sponsor Certificate Form

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Matrimony

In the sacred Scriptures the relationship between God and God's people is often described in terms of a marriage.  This joining and sacramental sign, which the husband and wife give to each other, they also give to the entire faithful community of witnesses.  The fidelity of Catholic husbands and wives are a reflection of a commitment to God and to each other; our human lives are interconnected, like a fabric, woven together by many commitments: their commitments strengthens our own commitments. Arrangements for Parishioners planning to be married must be make at least six months in advance. 
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Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick was once known as "last rites", and most people thought they could receive it only once in a lifetime. Nowadays, Anointing of the Sick is offered for those who are ill, (whether life threatening or not), elderly, and preparing for surgery. Please contact the office at 219/464-4042 if you would like to request an anointing. 
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Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry.
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