Celebration of Sacraments

Please note that St. Julia Church will be closed for renovations as of September 15, 2011.  The renovation is expected to be complete by Spring,  2012.  Sacraments will continue to be celebrated in the Parish Hall, including all Masses, until the renovation is complete.

Baptism

“There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all.” Ephesians 4:5-6

When you come to the Church for the Sacrament of Baptism, you seek the greatest gift you could give your child, the gift Jesus Christ promised his believers; the fullness of life, happiness, eternal life in the communion of God’s love. Baptism is the gateway to sacramental life and grace in the Church. It frees one from sin and fills them with the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The soul filled with grace enlightens the whole person, who becomes a disciple of Christ.

The Church asks that there be a “well founded hope that the child be brought up in the Catholic religion,” and that the parents, the first teachers of their children, “are to be properly instructed in the meaning of this sacrament and the obligations which are attached to it” (Canon 850ff).

Baptisms are celebrated monthly for infants, except during Lent. A preparatory program is offered to parents in advance of the celebration. (For Baptisms of older individuals, see RCIA information.) Baptisms are usually celebrated on the second Sunday of the month at 1:00 PM at St. Julia Church. Occasionally, Baptisms are celebrated during Sunday Mass at St. Julia and St. Joseph Churches. For more information about Baptisms at St. Julia Parish see our Baptism Information Page.

Reconciliation (Penance)

“Whose sins you forgive are forgiven, whose sins you retain are retained.” John 20:23

Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing and conversion. In it we admit our sins (confession), we are restored to grace and have the opportunity to develop an ever closer relationship with God. The sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated in St. Julia Church on Saturdays from 3:15 PM to 3:45 PM, and at special celebrations and times: during the seasons of Lent, Advent and before First Eucharist. Also, a personal appointment for this important sacrament may be made at any time by calling the pastor. Contact Father Evans by email or through the Parish Office at 781-899-2611.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation if offered in most parishes of the Diocese every Saturday, between 3:00 – 3:45 PM (check the individual web sites to be sure of exact times), just before the Saturday Vigil Mass.

WEEKDAY OPTION:  St. Mary’s Church on School Street in Waltham offers Reconciliation before the daily 12:15 PM Mass:  Monday – Thursday, 11:30 – 12 noon, and on Fridays, from 11 AM to 12 noon.

Eucharist

“‘This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me’. And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant of my blood which will be shed for you.’” Luke 22:19-20

Eucharist is the sacrament of initiation that invites us to receive Christ’s Body and Blood. It is Christ’s special gift of Himself and it is the heart of Christian identity. Catholics believe that Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist at the Last Supper and celebrate it at every Mass.

Sunday Mass is the center of our parish life. All are welcome. Because the Eucharist is so central to our lives as Catholics, each and every Sunday is a Holy Day of Obligation. St. Julia Parish offers seven different Masses at two different churches each weekend. Mass times are listed here. First Eucharist is celebrated once yearly in connection with the Religious Education Program.

Confirmation

“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Confirmation is the sacrament of initiation by which we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us for carrying out Christ’s mission. In the Roman Catholic Church, Confirmation is commonly administered between the ages of seven and sixteen and is usually celebrated by the bishop. Older adults receive the sacrament of confirmation as part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (see below).

Confirmation is celebrated yearly in St. Julia Church for all parishioners at a date and time designated by the Archbishop. Religious Education students and older Catholics celebrate this Sacrament together.

Marriage (Weddings)

“Have you not heard that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’, and …for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?” Matthew 19:4-5

Matrimony, or Marriage, is the sacrament in which a woman and a man promise to love and be faithful to each other for the rest of their lives. This sacrament usually takes place during Mass.

A wedding ceremony or Mass can be celebrated in St. Julia or St. Joseph Church by a parishioner and his or her intended spouse. Couples plan their marriage with a priest or deacon, wedding coordinator, and music director. Please download the St. Julia Parish Wedding Booklet for information that will help you in the process of preparing for your marriage. To ensure adequate preparation and scheduling for this sacrament, arrangements should be made at least six months prior to the celebration. Contact the Parish Office or call 781-899-2611 for more information.

RCIA

“… I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”  John 6:35

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process for adults who are seeking to be in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. It provides opportunity for inquiry, formation, prayers and companionship along the journey of faith to adult Baptism. The responsibility of welcoming such individuals through this gradual process is shared by all who have been fully initiated into the Catholic Church. Special guidance is provided through this spiritual journey from those who are on the RCIA team and from those who are sponsoring such an individual. For more information, contact the Parish Office or call 781-899-2611.

Holy Orders

“He appointed twelve [whom he also named apostles] that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons…” Mark 3:14-15

Holy Orders is the sacrament in which bishops, priests, and deacons are ordained to serve the Church in a special way. In Holy Orders, a man commits himself to serving God with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Discernment of a call to an ordained ministry is an important part of parish life. Please call or email Fr. George Evans for more information.

Anointing of the Sick

“So they went out and preached repentance. They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” Mark 6:12-13

Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing which brings Christ’s strength, comfort, and healing to those who are suffering in spirit, mind or body. It is for people who are getting ready for surgery, the very sick, those suffering infirmities of age and for anyone near death. It can be celebrated anywhere, and it can be received more than once.

For those parishioners seriously ill or preparing for an operation or hospital stay, this sacrament is celebrated each Saturday after the 4:00PM Mass in St. Julia Church or by arrangement with the pastor. Families of parishioners in danger of death are urged to contact Fr. Evans at 781-899-2611.