Sacrament of
Baptism
The goal of Baptism is eternal life in the presence of God.
The Sacrament of Baptism is the first Sacrament of three Sacrament of Initiation; it is through this Sacrament that one is adopted into the family of God the Father.
As parents, you are the first teachers of the faith for your child(ren), therefore it is important that you believe and live the faith that you are asking to have your child baptized into. It is equally important that you strive to know the faith so that you can hand it on to your children as they grow and mature. Those who ask for their child to be baptized, you have the privileged responsibility to foster God's own son or daughter along their journey to their true home in heaven, the Church encourages you to take this privilege seriously when you respond to the questions during the Sacrament.
Baptism is our entry into the family of God through the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son of the Father. Baptism is a Sacrament - that is an outward sign of the inward reality - and a Gift from the Father that gives Faith to that child. Just with many other gifts that we give our children, parents need to explain to them the way to use and grow in this particular gift of faith responsibly and safely.
Dearest Parents, you are bringing your child to the Church for Baptism; the above paragraphs merely touch on the reason we are baptized, on your responsibility to your child, and to God the Father, in fostering their faith as they grow up. The parish also has a responsibility to foster your child in faith, but for your parish to be able to fulfill it's responsibilities your child and family must be part of our community. To aid in your child's maturing in their faith, the parish offers opportunities for you and your child to deepen your understanding of Gods' love for you and all his children.
If you wish to have your child baptized at Holy Trinity Parish in Trail, please contact us at the Parish Office at holytrinitytrail@shaw.ca
Sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation is the second of three Sacraments of Initiation.
It is in the Sacrament of Confirmation that the child begins to take on the responsibility for their own faith journey more fully. This is the Sacrament in which the individual receives the seven-fold Gift of the Holy Spirit and is "Sealed"by the Holy Spirit of God .
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are:
Knowledge
UnderstandingWisdomRight Judgement (Council)ReverenceCourage (Fortitude)
Wonder and Awe in the Presence of the Lord
(Fear of the Lord)
When a person is confirmed he or she becomes empowered to take up various ministries and positions of leadership within the parish community. Some people will take up the role of proclaiming the Word of God at Mass (Readers), others may begin to help with the collection, or greeting people as they come to Church or leave after Mass (Ushers), some might wish to become Altar Servers, and help the Priest to celebrate well this most holy of mysteries. All of these are positions of responsibility in the parish and are always short of people to serve in them.
If your child is preparing for this Sacrament within the next 2 or 3 years, please let the parish office know. There are certain steps that need to be taken in the preparation prior to the conferral of the Sacrament.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
The final sacrament of initiation is the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and it is the only one of the three that we can (and should) receive repeatedly—even daily, if possible. In Holy Communion, we consume the Body and Blood of Christ, which unites us more closely to Him and helps us to grow in grace by living a more Christian life.
In the East, Holy Communion is administered to infants, immediately after Baptism and Confirmation. In the West, Holy Communion is normally delayed until the child reaches the age of reason (around seven years old).
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If you are planning to get married, please contact the parish priest 6-12 months prior to your anticipated date.