Sacraments
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The liturgical life of the Catholic Church revolves
around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments.Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, 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. - Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1210
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sacraments of initiation
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The sacraments of Christian initiation lay the foundations of every Christian life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life.
Sacrament of Baptism"Baptism, the door to life and to the kingdom of God…
is the sacrament by which its recipients are incorporated into the Church
and are built up together in the Spirit into a house where God lives,
into a holy nation and a royal priesthood."- General Introduction to the Rite of Baptism for Children
Baptism (also called christening) is the first sacrament we receive and makes us members of the Church. Parents requesting Baptism for their child must be registered, active, and participating members of the parish. This means that the parents are registered in the parish, attend Sunday Mass regularly, and support and participate in the life of the parish through sharing their time, talent, and treasure. Parents and godparents, if possible, are to also participate in a parish-sponsored baptism preparation class. This meeting includes an overview of the history and theology of Baptism, an explanation of the Rite itself, the role of godparents, and suggestions for creating a Catholic environment at home. Those who belong to a different parish but are requesting baptism at St. Ambrose must furnish a letter of permission and verification of parish membership from their pastor.
Have You Been Asked to Be a Godparent or Sponsor?
According to the requirements of the Catholic Church’s Canon Law (872-874), a godparent or confirmation sponsor must have the qualifying criteria outlined here. Before St. Ambrose Church can issue a "letter of good standing", our Sponsor Verification Form must be completed and signed by the pastor. Please allow the appropriate time for this process to occur when you make this request.
Please call the Office of St. Joseph & St. Ambrose Parishes at 330-274-2253 to arrange for the celebration of Baptism.
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BAPTISM LINKS 
Parent Baptismal
Preparation SessionsAn instructional session for first-time parents is held as needed and coordinated with families' schedules.
If you believe raising your child as a Catholic-Christian is one of your most important duties as a parent, please contact the Office of St. Joseph & St. Ambrose Parishes (330-274-2253) to arrange the Sacrament of Baptism.
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The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist
“The celebration of Mass, as the action of Christ and of the People of God…
is the center of the whole of Christian life for the Church
both universal and local, as well as for each of the faithful individually.”– General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 16
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. - Catechism of the Catholic Church 1322 & 1323Communion is often called the greatest sacrament because
Christ himself is present in the consecrated bread and wine.Masses are celebrated at St. Ambrose, St. Joseph (Mantua), St. Joan of Arc (Streetsboro), and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Aurora). The parishes share two priests. Please refer to the bulletin for specific times.
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The Sacrament of Confirmation“In this sacrament [those who have been baptized] receive the Holy Spirit
whom the Lord sent upon the apostles on Pentecost.
This giving of the Holy Spirit conforms believers more fully to Christ
and strengthens them so that they may bear witness to Christ
for the building up of his Body in faith and love.”– Introduction to the Rite of Confirmation
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. - Catechism of the Catholic Church 1285Confirmation bestows the special seal or mark of the Holy Spirit. It gives those receiving the special spiritual energy to make Jesus known in the world, and the courage to live the way Jesus would like them to live.
Preparation sessions for candidates and their sponsors are mandatory.
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It is customary for children in 8th grade to receive this sacrament. Diocesan policy states that children must be enrolled in two consecutive years of religious education (PSR classes or attend Catholic School) to participate. Parents and children are to also participate in the parish sponsored sacrament preparation program. The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated every year in Portage North. Preparation meetings for parents and candidates, practice, and celebration are to be determined.
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Sacraments of healing
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The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members.
Sacrament of Penance and ReconciliationThe celebration of this sacrament is thus always an act in which the Church proclaims its faith,
gives thanks to God for the freedom with which Christ made us free,
and offers its life as a spiritual sacrifice in praise of God’s glory,
as it hastens to meet the Lord Jesus.”– Rite of Penance, no. 7
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. - Catechism of the Catholic Church 1422
This sacrament brings us God's forgiveness through the words of a priest, makes us holy and reconciles us with God and the Church (previously called "Penance" or "Confession").
The faithful may receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation each Monday, 6 p.m. prior to the 6:30 p.m. Mass. Additional times are offered during Advent and Lent as well as Portage County Communal Services.
First Reconciliation
It is customary for children in second grade to receive this sacrament. Diocesan policy states that children must be enrolled in two consecutive years of religious formation (PSR classes or attend Catholic School) to participate. Parents and children are to also participate in the parish-sponsored sacrament preparation program. Students in grade two (along with their parents) are invited to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. This Sacrament must be made prior to receiving the First Eucharist.
Sacrament of Anointing of the SickWhat is the difference between the Anointing of the Sick and Last Rites?
At times even some "seasoned Catholics" get stumped by the question. Many of us get confused and believe it is the same thing just a different way of naming it. is the same thing just a different way of naming it. Well, there is a difference, and it is important for us to know these differences so that we can better understand these differences so that we can better understand and take full advantage of this Sacrament and this Apostolic Blessing Apostolic Blessing (Last Rites). Apostolic Blessing (Last Rites). Anointing of the Sick vs. Last Rites
Anointing of the Sick
Most of usually think of asking for this anointing only when we are nearing death through sickness or old age. However, if this is the case, we would be missing out on the opportunity for God to heal and help us at times when we might need Him the most - when we are having surgery, dealing with a physical, mental, emotional, or even spiritual affliction. It is during these difficult times that we need the Holy Spirit's gifts of strength, faith, peace, and courage. It is during these times, as well, that we should seek to receive this God given sacrament."The Lord himself showed great concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare
of the sick and commanded his followers to do likewise…
since then the Church has never ceased to celebrate this sacrament
for its members by the anointing and prayer of its priests,
commending those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord…"- General Introduction to the Pastoral Care of the Sick
Last Rites - Last Blessing
The Last Rites, on the other hand, are the last rites a person receives on this earth. The Last Rites can include three Sacraments: Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and Eucharist or viaticum, which means “food for the journey.” These may be administered at one visit or on separate occasions, and although a lay person may administer viaticum, Reconciliation and Last Rites must be done by a priest.
If a person close to death is not able to communicate or swallow, the Last Rites may consist of only the Sacrament of Anointing. Since death is close, the priest may include special prayers for the dying.
After the administration of the sacrament of anointing, the last rites, which is an apostolic blessing that gives a plenary indulgence to the dying person, is performed. The apostolic blessing is given along with the anointing and that is considered last rites, since it is, most likely, the last time the person will receive it.
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Sacraments of the service of communion
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While the other sacraments are celebrated and received in the communion of the church, they are directed toward the salvation in Christ of the individual Catholic. Matrimony and holy orders enable individuals to direct their lives in a sacramental way for the salvation of others. Through service to others, they build up the Body of Christ. They are themselves being saved in the process, by their participation in the saving mission of Christ.
Sacrament of Marriage"Christian couples, therefore, nourish and develop their marriage
by undivided affection, which wells up from the fountain of divine love…
[as] they remain faithful in body and in mind, in good times as in bad."- Introduction to the Rite of Marriage
The Sacrament of Matrimony
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. - Catechism of the Catholic Church 1601
This sacrament, received when a husband and wife pronounce their marriage vows, gives the grace for two people to join their lives together until death. The husband and wife perform this sacrament for each other. The priest is only the official church witness of this sacrament. To learn more about this sacrament, please visit The Vocation of Marriage.Is a Wedding in Your Future?
In recent years, the Catholic Church has increasingly recognized the importance of thorough religious preparation for engaged couples before they enter Christian marriage. Couples, desiring to be married at St. Ambrose Parish are to contact the priest at least 6 months before the intended wedding date. The pastor meets with prospective brides and grooms and by using interviews, questionnaires, and retreats, the parish priest helps them understand the importance of the step they are taking as they enter this lifelong covenant. The bride and/or groom must be a registered, active, and participating member of the parish. This means that the Catholic party(ies) are presently registered in the parish; attend weekend Mass regularly; and support and participate in the life of the parish through the sharing of their time, talent, and treasure. Those who belong to a different parish but are requesting marriage here must furnish a letter of permission and verification of parish membership from their pastor. In addition, the couple must participate in a parish-sponsored marriage preparation program.
One of the first things to do when planning your wedding at St. Ambrose Church is to contact the Office of St. Joseph & St. Ambrose Parishes ([email protected] or 330-274-2253). You'll be asked to complete and return our Pre-Marriage Registration Form.
The Sacrament of Holy OrdersHoly 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, presbyterate, and diaconate.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church 1536
This sacrament gives priests the power to forgive sins, anoint the sick, change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, and to perpetuate Jesus' sacrifice, which is the Mass. Through Holy Orders, priests and bishops receive the Spirit's grace to guide the church and take care of the people of God. For information on religious life, please contact the Diocese of Youngstown's Director of Vocations, Fr. Chad Johnson (330-744-8451 or [email protected]) or visit the Diocese's vocations website.
What Is Religious Life?
Religious life deeply rooted in the example and teaching of Christ the Lord is a gift of God to the Church. It is a lifestyle to which one freely responds to the call of the Holy Spirit to follow Christ with an undivided heart by leaving everything behind in order to be with Christ and to put oneself as he did at the service of God and his/her brothers and sisters.
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