"The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit." 
(CCC, nos. 1131; cf. no 774)

As we come to understand the Sacraments, it is important to recognize that the Sacraments have a visible and invisible reality, a reality open to all the human senses but grasped in its God-given depths with the eyes of faith. When parents hug their children, for example, the visible reality we see is the hug. The invisible reality the hug conveys is love. We cannot 'see' the love the hug expresses, though sometimes we can see its nurturing effects in the child.

The visible reality we see in the Sacraments is their outward expression, the form they take, and the way in which they are administered and received. The invisible reality we cannot 'see' is God's grace, his gracious initiative in redeeming us through the death and Resurrection of his Son. His initiative is called grace because it is the free and loving gift by which he offers people a share in his life, and shows us his favor and will for our salvation. Our response to the grace of God's initiative is itself a grace or gift from God by which we can imitate Christ in our daily lives.

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 grouped together in the following way:

Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
Sacraments of Healing: Penance & Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick
Sacraments at the Service of Communion: Holy Orders and Matrimony

Jesus Christ gave us the Sacraments to call us to worship God, to build up the Church, to deepen our faith, to show us how to pray, to connect us with the living Tradition of the Church, and to sanctify us. While God works primarily through the Sacraments, he also touches us through the community of the Church, through the lives of holy people, through prayer, spirituality, and acts of love. But 'for believers, the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation....The fruit of the sacramental life is that the Spirit of adoption makes the faithful partakers of the divine nature.'" (CCC, no. 1129) From: United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pp 168-170.

Baptism

To have children baptized, families should contact the rectory to set up an appointment to talk with the pastor and attend a baptism preparation class. Baptism Prep classes are normally on the 2nd Sunday of the month and the Sacrament of Baptism takes place on the 4th Sunday of the month. Call the rectory at 301-490-5116. If your child is seven years of age or older please contact Hope Benson, Director of Faith Formation at 301.490.5116 X109 or [email protected]

Confirmation

Confirmation is usually held in the spring for 8th graders, who must be enrolled in a religious education class. Contact Hope Benson, Director of Religious Education – (301)490-5116 X109 or [email protected] 

For adult Confirmation, a six-week preparation course begins each year in January. Watch the bulltin for details, or contact Hope Benson, Director of Faith Formation at 301.490.5116 X109 or [email protected]. 

Eucharist (Holy Communion)

There is a two-year preparation for First Holy Communion, usually in first and second grades, but children of any age can be prepared through our religious education classes. Contact Hope Benson, Director of Religious Education– (301) 725-9622.

For adult First Communion, contact Hope Benson, Director of Faith Formation at the above number or email. 

Penance & Reconciliation (Confession)

Confessions are heard in the church's Reconciliation Rooms, behind the altar, from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. on Saturdays, or by appointment.  Call the rectory – (301) 490-5116.

Anointing of the Sick

When you or a loved one is very ill, in the hospital, in need of surgery, or is an older person who is losing strength quickly, contact the church to arrange for the Sacrament of the Sick, also called Anointing of the Sick. Call the rectory – (301) 490-5116.

Holy Orders

Holy Orders are what deacons, priests and bishops receive at ordination. If you are interested in exploring becoming a permanent deacon, contact Fr. Baer at (301) 490-5116. If you are interested in exploring life as a priest, religious or consecrated life, contact the pastor – (301) 490-5116.

Matrimony (Marriage)

Marriage Preparation

First, congratulations on your engagement! This is an exciting time, and we want to extend our best wishes to you. We are happy to help you get your marriage off to a great start. 

Marriage is a sacrament, and that means it is a precious gift from God that will help you grow in love and holiness. If one or both of you is Catholic, there are some things you need to know and do before the wedding.

1. At least six months in advance, call the rectory at (301) 490-5116 and schedule an appointment to talk with the pastor or deacon. Set up marriage prep sessions, usually one a month.

2. Check the church calendar with the parish secretary, to find an open date for your wedding. The secretary will write it on the calendar, and this will secure the church for the wedding practice and the wedding.

3. Only after securing the date on the church calendar should you book a venue to host your wedding reception.

Marriage Enrichment

There are several programs that can help strengthen your marriage.

Marriage Encounter - Worldwide Marriage Encounter is a program to make good marriages better.

Retrouvaille - Retrouvaille (pronounced re-trov-eye) is a program to help troubled marriages.