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Sacraments

- According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Reconciliation, 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. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life.” (CCC 1210)
  
  For information about preparing for and receiving the Sacraments of the Church at Saints Peter & Paul, explore the tabs below or call our parish office at (610) 692-2216.
Baptism
- Baptism
  
  The Catechism of the Church states, “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.” (CCC 1213)
  
  Baptisms are celebrated on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month following the 11:30 Mass. Families are invited to attend the 11:30 Mass prior to the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism.
  
  Baptism classes are held in the Parish Centeron on the first Sunday of each month, following the 9:30 am Mass. Parents are obliged to attend this class if it has been more than four years since their last child was baptized. Registration for class is required. Godparents are invited but not required to attend.
  
  Godparents must receive a letter from their parish stating they are at least sixteen years old and have received Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. He or she must be able to fulfill the responsibities of a Godparent. A married Godparent must be married in accord with the law of the Catholic Church.
  
  For more information or to register for Pre-Baptismal Class, please contact Judy Magee at jmagee@sspeterandpaulrc.org by calling 484-473-8205.
Reconciliation
- Reconciliation
  
  The Catechism teaches that “those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.” (CCC 1422)
  
  The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is available every Saturday morning from 7:30-7:50 (before the 8:00 AM Mass) and every Saturday afternoon from 3:00-4:00 in the Church. You may also make an appointment with one of the parish priests by calling the parish office during business to schedule a time for the Sacrament of Confession.
Eucharist
- Eucharist
  
  The Catechism teaches, “The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord’s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist. At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.” (CCC 1322-1323)
  
  Mass is celebrated daily at 6:30 AM and 8:30 AM from Monday to Friday and 8:00 AM on Saturdays. The weekend Mass schedule is: 4:30 PM Saturday Vigil, and 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, and 11:30 AM on Sundays. The Holy Day Mass schedule is generally 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 12:10 PM, and 7:00 PM (please consult the bulletin for specific Holy Day schedules).
  
  For information on First Holy Communion, please contact Michele D'Alessandro, Coordinator of Religious Education, at mdalessandro@sspeterandpaulrc.org.
Confirmation
- Confirmation
  
  The Catechism teaches that “Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the sacraments of Christian initiation, whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For by the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” (CCC 1285)
  
  The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated by the Archbishop or one of his Auxiliary Bishops at our parish each spring, with the date dependent on the bishop’s schedule.
  
  For information about receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, contact the Parish Office at (610) 692-2216.
Marriage
- Marriage
  
  In the Catechism of the Church, we read that “the matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” (CCC 1601)
  
  Christian Marriage is a very serious relationship of faithfulness, permanence, and life-giving generosity. The Church recognizes that she has a responsibility to help couples prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage. Couples wishing to be married must contact the parish office to speak with one of the priests at least six months before the wedding. Information on the marriage preparation program (called Pre-Cana) can be obtained at the Parish Center.
Holy Orders
- Holy Orders
  
  The Catechism teaches, “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. It includes three degrees: episcopate (bishops), presbyterate (priests), and diaconate (deacons).” (CCC 1536)
  
  The Sacrament of Holy Orders involves a period of seminary formation and discernment. If you or someone you know is considering a vocation to the priesthood or permanent diaconate, please contact one of the parish priests by calling the parish office at (610) 692-2216.
  
  Additionally, information can be obtained from the Archdiocesan Office for Vocations and by visiting the website of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
Anointing of the Sick
- Anointing of the Sick
  
  According to the Catechism: “By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them and indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.” (CCC 1499)
  
  In case of serious illness of yourself or a family member, one of the priests will be happy to administer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. If you have a procedure or surgery scheduled or otherwise know that you will be entering the hospital, you may also ask the priest to celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing before or after the Mass you are attending.
  
  To schedule an appointment for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, please call the parish office at (610) 692-2216.