Sacraments

The seven sacraments of the Catholic Church are part of our core beliefs. They are actions of Christ and of his Church. As St. Augustine wrote in the fifth century, sacraments are “visible signs of invisible grace.” Today we might say they are moments that the Church celebrates God’s unique activity and presence. Sacraments are signs of what is happening between God and us every day, 24 hours a day, but which are ritualized in a special way when a sacrament is celebrated liturgically by the Church.

Each of the seven sacraments recognized by the Roman Catholic Church are actually actions that are expressions of human activity – a bath, a touch, a meal, an embrace, a laying on of hands, a rubbing with oil, an exchange of rings and promises – celebrated in a ritualized or symbolic way that helps us get in touch with the presence of God in our lives. These actions help us understand the common human experiences through which God become present to us and overwhelms us with His love.

The seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church are: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony and Holy Orders.

Sacraments of Initiation
 
Baptism

Baptism is the primary sacrament of initiation incorporating us into the Church. In Baptism, we are born again of water and the Holy Spirit and receive in a new and spiritual way adoption as sons and daughters of God. The waters of Baptism symbolize life and death, washing and cleansing and the mystery of dying and rising. A person can be baptized at any age, from infant to adult. For adult baptism, please click on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults/R.C.I.A.

As we welcome children into our Christian Community, we are also welcoming them into our Catholic Tradition--and into the Holy Cross parish community.

If you are planning to have your child baptized at Holy Cross, you should first register as a parishioner by calling Mrs. Mary Lou Wellman, the parish secretary, at the Pastoral Center, 847.945.0430 and she will help you to begin to make arrangements. Or, if you belong to another parish but wish to have your child baptized at Holy Cross because of family proximity, you should bring us a letter of permission from your home parish.

We understand that the arrival of a new baby can be a time of wonder and hope . . . often mixed with anxiety and exhaustion. The baptism of your child celebrates all of this. Christian baptism signifies new life and joy while upholding the serious commitment you are making on your child’s behalf. Members of the Holy Cross Baptism Preparation Ministry will companion you through this important step, helping you to make this a joyous and meaningful transition. Trained parishioners meet with you and a few other parents for an informal evening and assist with the ceremony on the day of the baptism. As you meet with other parents who are planning a baptism, you can share some dreams and concerns for your children. You can look at the role that the parish community takes in supporting your families as your children grow. At Holy Cross, the sacrament of Baptism is usually celebrated at 12:00 PM on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.

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Confirmation

Confirmation, another of the sacraments of initiation, ratifies Baptism and strengthens us for the challenge of living our lives as followers of Jesus in the world. Confirmation focuses on the missionary aspects of our Baptismal commitment. For adults who have completed the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, a six-week preparation program is offered every Lent by the Archdiocese of Chicago. These preparation sessions are offered in various locations around the diocese(click here). Adults who have been baptized but not yet received Eucharist would normally participate in the parish’s Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults /R.C.I.A. (click here)

Holy Cross celebrates the sacrament of Confirmation with our teens during their high school years. Preparation for the sacrament begins in freshman year. The program asks for a two-year commitment with involvement in the parish LOAVES program. For additional information, please call the Faith Formation Office at 847.940.7362 or go to the Faith Formation link on this website. (click here)

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Eucharist

Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our faith, the font from which all other sacraments flow. Catholics believe that in the Eucharist, Jesus Christ is most profoundly present with the Church. At the Table of the Lord, we share in His Body and Blood and so are called to become what we eat.

As a Catholic community, we believe that to become the body of Christ, as we are called to do, we must receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Any baptized Catholic is welcome to join us at the table of the Lord at any of our Masses.

• At least six months before the desired wedding, the couple should contact the parish secretary (847.945.0430), who then will put them in touch with a priest and our Marriage Coordinators. A wedding date is not officially reserved until a priest contacts a couple to confirm the requested date. 

• A parish Deacon will help the couple fill out the paper work, and will explain to them all that is necessary for the wedding. Couples are expected to participate in three evening preparation sessions in the home of a parishioner couple trained in marriage preparation. (See below.) 

• For two Catholics, the proper and valid form of receiving the sacrament is within a Catholic church in the presence of a Catholic deacon or priest. When a Catholic is marrying a person from another Christian denomination or faith, they may receive permission for the marriage to take place in the future spouse's church, etc., where the spouse's minister, rabbi, etc, would witness the marriage. They may also request a deacon or priest to be present to give a blessing. A staff member will assist you with the proper paperwork that needs to be done to receive a dispensation that is granted by the Archdiocese. 

• If either party has been married before, even in a simple court ceremony, a discussion must first take place with a parish staff member to determine the couple's freedom to marry. No date for marriage can be reserved until both parties are free to marry. This also applies to a spouse who is from another denomination or faith, or one who has never been affiliated with any church.