Our faith-life is built around the celebration of the Sacraments, those seven gifts from the Lord Jesus that bring us into life with Him, to heal us along life’s journey, and to celebrate the vocational calls to marriage and the clerical state.

Baptism
Baptism brings a person into life with Christ.  At St. Clement Church baptisms are generally celebrated at the noon Mass on the second Sunday of each month and at 1:30 in the afternoon on the fourth Sunday of the month.  During Lent there are no baptisms.  Call the Parish Office for more information or any questions.

Preparation: Along with the Church, the friars and deacons look for assurance from the parents who bring a child for baptism that they will raise their child in the faith.  For active members of the parish this is understood.  For non-active parents a meeting with one of the friars or deacons is required prior to the baptismal preparation class. 

A class for parents and godparents takes place on the first Tuesday of each month.  This helps all appreciate the significance and meaning of the sacrament, and assures that all documents are correct.

Godparents: Ideally both godparents are active Catholics, for they are also examples and models of the Christian life for the one being baptized.  At least one godparent must be a fully initiated and a practicing Catholic.  To be fully initiated one must be baptized, confirmed and have received First Eucharist.  As a practicing Catholic (s)he regularly participates in the worship of the Church.  A form verifying this status is completed by the person’s parish priest.  The second godparent may be a ‘Christian witness,’ that is a baptized member of another Christian denomination.  Non-Christians cannot serve as godparents.

First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation
See School of Religion Section for this information.
Adults who are seeking these sacraments should call the Parish Office

Marriage
Couples who wish to marry at St. Clement Church should call the Parish Office at least 6 months before the proposed marriage date.  Once the couple meets with a priest or deacon the date can be reserved on the parish calendar.

As part of the preparation process couples must participate in one of several programs: the Sponsor Couple program is a series of meetings between a trained married couple and the couple preparing for marriage; the Pre-Cana program is a series of group gatherings bringing together a larger number of couples preparing for marriage; the Engaged Encounter program is a weekend retreat preparation program.  Other requirements are explained by the priest or deacon who will officiate at the marriage.

Anointing of the Sick
Twice a year the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is celebrated at a Sunday liturgy, affording those who are in need of this Sacrament of healing to receive it on a regular basis.  Those preparing for surgery are also welcome to receive the Sacrament by calling the Parish Office to make arrangements or by seeing one of the priests before or after Sunday or weekday Liturgy. 

Homebound parishioners, or their caregivers, are asked to call the Parish Office to make arrangements for reception of the Eucharist, Reconciliation, or Anointing of the Sick. 

Families of hospitalized parishioners are asked to call the Parish Office with this information as most hospitals do not notify the parish when someone is admitted.