The Seven
Sacraments
There are seven Catholic sacraments:
The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important. They are special occasions for experiencing God's saving presence. The sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase healing and mission 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.
Baptism
"Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." For Catholics, the sacrament is not a mere formality; it is the very mark of a Christian, because it brings us into new life in Christ. Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers of her mission.
Selection of God Parents – Careful consideration of the choice of Godparents is an important element for the sacrament of Baptism.
† Normally at least 16 years old
† A member in good standing in the Catholic Church
† Leading a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken
† Have received all three of the sacraments of Christian initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
† Parents may not be sponsors.
Usually there are two godparents, a godfather and a godmother. However, there may be just one Catholic godparent. A validly baptized non-Catholic may serve as a Christian witness, but there must be a Catholic godparent
Preparation classes are scheduled on the last Saturday of the month, 9:00 to 11:00 am. Parents and/or God parents are expected to be registered members of Guardian Angels Parish and attend the Preparation Class. For further information regarding sponsors, scheduling, and baptismal preparation, please call the office at 303-433-8361.
Holy Orders
By the Sacrament of Holy Orders a man is marked indelibly with the sacramental character that constitutes him as a sacred minister within the episcopal, priestly or diaconal Order. Each, according to his degree, fulfills in the person of Christ the Head the offices of teaching, sanctifying and governing the people of God.Reconciliation Penance
"Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." In the Sacrament of Penance the faithful who confess their sins to a lawful minister and are contrite for those sins, receive from God, through the absolution given by that minister, forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism, and at the same time they are reconciled with the Church.
Throughout his life, Jesus was sought out by men and women who, distressed and humbled, said, "Yes, I have sinned, have mercy on me." Their faith drew them to believe in Jesus' power of forgiveness - the living presence of the compassionate God. When we confess our sins, we are exercising the gift of our own free will the choice to tell God that we have wronged Him and others and seek to have our relationship with them restored. Through confession, God reaches back to us in a most real way, love and mercy in hand.
Confessions are available on Saturdays at 3:00 to 3:30 pm. You may also call the parish office at 303-433-8361 for an appointment with a priest.
hOLY Eucharist
The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of all worship and Christian life. In this Sacrament, Christ the Lord himself is contained, offered and received. In the Eucharistic Sacrifice, the memorial of the death and resurrection of the Lord, the sacrifice of the cross is forever perpetuated. By this Sacrament, the Church continually lives and grows and the unity of the People of God is signified and brought about.
God’s love sent us his only-begotten Son into this world of sinners to redeem us by his ultimate gift of love -- the sacrifice of his own life for our redemption. On the night before he died for the redemption of man’s sins, he shared bread and wine with his disciples, changing the bread and wine into his own body and blood. Each time we participate in the Eucharistic sacrifice, we ourselves become transformed and living members of the One True Christ, who is present in the Eucharistic, the Bread and Wine. All who are properly disposed are invited to experience Jesus' true presence, body, soul and divinity in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Baptized children in grades 2 through 9 meet beginning in the fall. We start with a parent orientation and run approximately 8 months. At the Parish, the children traditionally receive their First Communion during the month of May. A certificate of Baptism must be presented at the time of registration, which must be done in person in the parish office during the months of July and August. Unbaptized children are prepared for Holy Communion through the R.C.I.C. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children) Program. They also meet starting in the fall. R.C.I.C. prepares the child for receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation at Easter. Parent participation is required.
Learn more about the Catholic faith
Links to the two primary documents encompassing our faith are provided below:
In addition to these references, we invite you to explore our faith at Guardian Angels Church. Please join us in prayer this coming weekend and take time to meet the Guardian Angels family.