While Baptism and Eucharist are the primary sacraments of the Christian life, the Church has traditionally recognized other sacramental ways in which God is present to us.
Marriage is for "mutual joy, the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity, and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord." Book of Common Prayer p. 423Weddings are also an act of worship and a sacrament of the Church.It is expected, then, that at least one member of the couple to be married is part of the life of the parish.
A wedding takes substantial preparation.Canon law requires that a request to be married be made no less than 30 days in advance, but realistically much more time is needed for planning and pre-marital counseling .No plans should be finalized before the couple has had opportunity to meet with the Rector to make sure the proposed date is acceptable and that the wedding will take place. By longstanding Church tradition, weddings are not celebrated during the season of Lent. Confession, or Reconciliation of a Penitent, is a ministry of the Church given by Jesus himself:“He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’" John 20:22-23
While Confession is not required of anyone, some come for this sacrament in response to particular situations in their lives, others as part of a regular spiritual discipline. An appointment for Confession can be arranged by contacting the Rector. As the Prayer Book reminds us, “The secrecy of a confession is morally absolute for the confessor (the priest), and must under no circumstances be broken.”
Confirmation: “In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.” Prayer Book p. 412
Confirmation takes place each year during the Easter season in a service involving the several parishes of the Blackstone Valley Deanery.Classes are offered at St. Paul’s and are announced when the date for confirmation is set.
Unction of the Sick, or anointing with oil, is available at a time of illness.This is not “last rites”, but a time of prayer, laying on of hands and anointing as an act of faith in God’s healing power – spiritual, emotional, and/or physical.Please contact the Parish Office – 728-4300 – to request a pastoral visit. Ordination “is the rite in which God gives authority and the grace of the Holy Spirit to those being made bishops, priests, and deacons, through prayer and the laying on of hands by bishops.” Prayer Book p. 860
While baptism calls each of us to a life of faithfulness and ministry, God and the Church call some to an ordered ministry of being a deacon or priest or bishop, particularly to serve the Church and the community.The Episcopal Church has a careful and lengthy process for ordination.If you think God might be calling you to the ordained ministry, the first step is to speak with the Rector.
There's a place for you!
St. Paul's Episcopal Church • 50 Park Place, Pawtucket, RI02860
