Baptism is the sacrament that is necessary for all other sacraments. through this sacrament, we are made children of God as we are joined to Christ and the Church, made heirs of heaven, and freed from original sin. Please contact the parish at [email protected] or call 751-0196 to inquire about this Sacrament at the Church of St. Sebastian.
To receive Holy Communion, one must be a Catholic in good standing with the Church. Children who have not yet received their 1st Holy Communion should enter the parish Religious Education program and adults who would like to receive this or any of the other Sacraments are invited to join our Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) program. For more information, contact the Religious Education office.
Young people who have not yet been confirmed should enter the parish Religious Education Program; adults who have never received the Sacrament can enter the R.C.I.A. program. More information about the preparation process for children under the age of 16 is available through the Religious Education office; for persons 16 or older, please contact the Pastor.
This Sacrament gives Christ’s faithful the further possibility of conversion. All of us know that we are not perfect and depend on God for the grace necessary to change our lives. Through Confession, we announce our sins to the priest who sits “in persona Christi” (in the person of Christ) and exercises the command of Christ to His Apostles, ”Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (Jn 20:23)
The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill, to those who live with a chronic condition, and before surgery. The Anointing of the Sick is not "Last Rites."
If you or a loved one have a serious illness, contact the parish office to arrange a time when the priest can come to offer the Sacrament of the Sick. Please do not wait until the last minute. It is best to give the Sacrament when the person receiving it can be consoled and strengthened by joining in the prayers while they are surrounded by their family and friends gathered and praying with them.
Most of Christ's faithful will live out their personal call through the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Marriage is a holy and noble vocation that reflects Christ's love for His Bride, the Church (Ephesians 5: 29 - 32).
Congratulations on your engagement and decision to enter into Catholic marriage! St. Sebastian Parish will help you in your preparation to ensure that you make this serious and sacred step in your life a holy and happy one.
Spiritual preparation is a key part of this special time. Frequent participation in the sacraments during this time is important, particularly weekly Mass attendance. It is also strongly recommended that you bring yourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this time of preparation. The engagement period can be particularly stressful at times, and the graces bestowed on you through Reconciliation and weekly Mass will be a great source of strength to help keep you focused and at peace. This spiritual direction will foster great growth and maturity for both partners.
The bride and/or groom should be registered members of our parish. A bride or groom who has moved away but whose family remains registered and supportive of the parish will be given due consideration.
How do I get started?
The day and time of the wedding must be arranged in person by the prospective bride and groom themselves as soon as they feel called to marry. No arrangement can be made by phone or parents. All arrangements should be made 9 months prior to the wedding date and done prior to scheduling the reception.
This first meeting with the Pastor may be scheduled by calling the Parish Office at 401.751-0196.
Please bring with you the following:
All couples must also participate in the Marriage Preparation and Enrichment program offered by the Diocese of Providence (https://www.dioceseofprovidence.org/).
“He who never ceases to make his church fruitful through new offspring wishes to make these modern times the equal of former days and to spread the Catholic faith. So he inspired you with a holy desire to embrace poverty, profess regular life and commit yourselves to the proclamation of the word of God, preaching everywhere the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –Pope Honorious III: Letter to St. Dominic and his Companions, January 18, 1221
If you feel called to discern the priesthood or religious life contact the pastor to discuss how God might be calling you to build up His Church.
If you are visiting this page due to the loss of a loved one, please accept our sincere condolences.
The following information is provided to assist in the preparation of the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Sebastian. You are also invited to visit the Diocese of Providence’s Catholic Cemeteries website for more information (https://dioceseofprovidence.org/catholic-cemeteries-1).
All the baptized are entitled to the full Rite of Christian Burial. You and your family will experience the Rite of Christian Burial in three distinct and important parts:
The Wake Service
This will take place during the visiting hours at the funeral home you have chosen. At this time someone from the family, or a friend, may wish to remember the deceased by sharing personal memories, as in a eulogy.
The Mass of Christian Burial
This is the most important part of the celebration of Christian Burial. This is almost always celebrated within a Mass. The bodily remains are honored by being brought to the Church. We celebrate the life of the deceased in the whole context of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
The Committal
A parish priest or deacon will accompany the remains and the family to the cemetery, where the Rite of Christian Burial will conclude with the prayers of Committal and Final Commendation. Should one wish to speak in memory of the deceased, as in a eulogy or a remembrance, the Rite of Christian Burial allows for such to usually take place as part of the Prayer of Commendation that will be prayed at the cemetery.
Pastoral Considerations for the Mass of Christian Burial
A funeral may be celebrated on any day of the week except Sundays and Holy Days. There are also some restrictions concerning funerals during Holy Week. The priest will discuss these restrictions as they apply. The funeral liturgy is ordinarily celebrated in the parish church.
The funeral liturgy is one of the most beautiful and meaningful celebrations of the Church. Your family has the option of personalizing the Mass by choosing the Scripture readings and by requesting specific hymns.
Readings
When choosing scriptures, there should be one reading from the Old Testament, and one reading from the New Testament.
Music
Please be aware that only Sacred Music may be used at a Funeral Liturgy. As liturgical music magnifies the spoken word, music is a beautiful offering within the Mass of Christian Burial. Music brings comfort and peace to the loved ones attending the Funeral Mass.
In the rich liturgical tradition of our Church, there is a treasury of prescribed music for the Mass of Christian Burial. This treasury, in both Latin and English, reflects the believers' faith and hope in the Resurrection and the forgiveness of sins. The best person to guide the family in the choice of music is the pastor or the Director of Music. It is not incumbent upon the loved ones of the deceased, or the funeral director, to choose music for the liturgy. If no particular music is requested, we will choose appropriate music based on the liturgical season and readings chosen for the Mass of Christian Burial. Sometimes a particular hymn, perhaps a favorite of the deceased, will be requested. If you have any preferences, please indicate them. Unless the deceased has served in the Armed Services of our country, patriotic hymns are inappropriate.
Programs
Worship Programs are very helpful in the celebration of the Funeral Liturgy. In consultation with the family, the Parish Director of Music prepared the Worship Program. Additionally, because Mass is a live celebration of faith, prerecorded or secular music is not used at St. Sebastian.