SACRAMENTS

Gesu Parish

Baptism

Baptism is the sacrament that initiates one’s life in Christ, washes away sin and brings one into the Christian community.

Infant Baptism:
Infant baptism is the common practice in the Roman Catholic Church. Parents of newborn children should contact the parish soon after the child’s birth to arrange for the celebration of the sacrament. Baptisms are typically celebrated within the context of the weekend liturgy, usually during the 11:30 am Mass on the last
Sunday of the month. Other arrangements are possible in consultation with the pastor. Baptism of a couple’s first child requires a meeting with the pastor prior to the sacrament. This can be scheduled through the parish secretary. Two Godparents are chosen by the parents. One must be Catholic.
For more information, click here.

Adult Baptism:
Reception of Baptism as an adult takes place in conjunction with the RCIA Program – the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. For more information, click here

Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens the gifts of the Holy Spirit first received at Baptism.

8th Grade Confirmation

In the Diocese of Toledo, confirmation is received during the 8th grade school year. Reception of the sacrament requires participation in a 2 year program, beginning in September of one’s 7th grade year and concluding with reception of the sacrament in the spring of the 8th grade year.

Students Who Attend A Public School - Students who attend a public elementary school are required to participate in the parish CCD Program in both their 7th and 8th grades. The Confirmation program consists of participating in 2 retreats, completing a designated number of service hours in the areas of home, school/parish and community, attend additional classes, prayer rituals and meetings. Contact Laurie Skowronski at skowronski@gesugreyhoundz.com.

Adult Confirmation - Reception as an adult takes place in conjunction with the RCIA Program - the Rite Of Christian Initiation of Adults. For more information on RCIA click here

Eucharist

The Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) is the central sacrament of the Catholic Community in which Our Lord is truly present with us under the appearance of Bread and Wine. The Eucharist is received in the context of the Liturgy. The Eucharist is the reason a parish exists. Many receive the Eucharist for the first time in 2nd grade but First Eucharist may be received at any age.

2nd grade Eucharist - First Eucharist and the First Reconciliation program is for all catholic students in the second grade. Students who attend a public elementary school are required to participate in our CCD program. The First Reconciliation and First Eucharist program consists of participating in a Reconciliation retreat and a Eucharist retreat. Parent involvement is necessary for both these retreats. Additional meetings, rehearsals, and classes are also part of the student’s preparation. Our program starts in September and ends with the sacrament of Reconciliation in December and Eucharist in May.

Contact Laurie Skowronski at skowronski@gesugreyhoundz.com for more information.

First Eucharist and First Reconciliation Calendar click here

Adult First Eucharist reviews First Eucharist in conjunction with the RCIA Program click here

Reconciliation

“It is not those who are well that need a doctor, but the sick. I have come to call not the upright
but sinners to repentance” [Luke 5:31-32]

Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing, also known as penance or confession, through which
Christ extends his forgiveness to sinners.

The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered individually Tuesday-Friday before 7am Mass, and Saturday at 3pm. During Advent and Lent prayer services with individual confessions are scheduled.

First reconciliation for 2nd graders - The First Reconciliation and First Eucharist program is for all catholic students in the second grade. Students who attend a public elementary school are required to participate in our CCD program. The First Reconciliation and First Eucharist program consists of participating in a Reconciliation retreat and a Eucharist retreat. Parent involvement is necessary for both these retreats. Additional meetings, rehearsals, and classes are also p art of the student’s preparation. Our program starts in September and ends with the sacrament Reconciliation in December and Eucharist in May.

Contact Laurie Skowronski at skowronski@gesugreyhoundz.com for more information.

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist click here

Anointing of the Sick

“Is there anyone among you who is sick? He should send for the elders of the church, who will
pray for him and rub oil on him in the name of the Lord Jesus. This prayer, made in faith will
heal the sick person: the Lord will restore him to health, and the sins he has committed will be
forgiven” [James 5:14-15]

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick provides the grace to overcome frailties and the strength, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties of serious illness. Anointing can take place at home, in the hospital or a nursing home and during Mass at church.

There are 5 situations when it is appropriate to receive the sacrament;
1) At the start of a serious illness
2) Regularly (yearly) as that illness persists
3) After a serious injury (accident)
4) When facing serious surgery
5) When one begins to experience the diminishment of aging and regularly thereafter.

Those wishing to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, please contact the parish office at 419-531-1421.

Matrimony

Marriage is a life-long and faithful union; in which a man and a woman choose each other for
the mutual sharing of their life and their love; a union which is open to children; a union which is
modeled after and symbolizes God’s ever faithful love for his people.
It is this partnership of life and love that sought in marriage and to which a couple publicly give
their consent during the Rite of Matrimony.

For information click here. For wedding guidelines click here

Holy Orders and Religious Life

Holy Orders is the sacrament in which a man is designated to be the official representative of
the Christian Community. He serves the community on behalf of the community as deacon,
priest or bishop.

Religious life brings together groups of men or women to live together in order to concentrate
on living the Gospel in an intense way, usually taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Men and Women considering a vocation to the religious life or men considering a call to the Sacrament of Holy Orders (deacon/priest) should first speak to their parish priest, deacon or other spiritual companion.

For more information, contact Fr. Ken McKenna, O.S.F.S. at mckenna@oblates.us.

More information on Holy Orders click here

Funeral Arrangements

Please contact the parish office immediately upon the death of a parishioner to make arrangements:

419-531-1421

The following information may be helpful for pre-planning funeral rites and in preparation to meet with a parish priest or staff person.

Funeral homes: please contact a parish priest before setting times for any services. Please also refer to Catholic burial practices in the link below as a primary guide when helping families of the deceased make arrangements.

Funeral Planning Information Guide

Annulments

If you are divorced, click here for more information about seeking an annulment (declaration of nullity) through the Catholic Church.

Gesu Catholic School

2045 Parkside Blvd

Toledo, OH 43607-1597

Phone: (419) 536 - 8932

Fax: (419) 531- 8932

Email: Babka@gesugreyhoundz.com

Office Hours: Mon - Fri 8 am - 3 pm

Gesu Catholic Church

2049 Parkside Blvd.