Sacrament of Confirmation: Four Aricles by Bishop John B. Brungardt, August 2024
- Details
Click HERE to view Bishop Brungardt's four-part series on the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Part 1: Sacrament of Confirmation - Introduction
Part 2: Sacrament of Confirmation - Curriculum
Part 3: Sacrament of Confirmation - Comprehensive Youth Ministry
Part 4: Sacrament of Confirmation - Family & Parish
Sacraments and Liturgy
- Details
Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities
- Details
During its Spring session in 2017, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the revision of the "Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities" originally published in 1995.
The Guidelines reflect the pastoral response of the U.S. Bishops to the growth in knowledge and understanding of the gifts and needs of individuals in parish communities who live with disabilities and their desire for full participation in the sacramental life of the Church. In addition to stating general principles to be followed for the celebration of the sacraments in this revised document, the Bishops address each specific sacrament and the issues pertinent to that sacrament for persons with various disabilities. (from the press release of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability)
Guideline for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities (revised 2017)
Is this baptism valid?
- Details
This question sometimes arises when involved with people in the RCIA process or with couples preparing for marriage. Determining the validity of someone’s baptism in a particular church is an important detail to address due to the implications it has in relation to receiving other sacraments in the Catholic Church. Click below for a resource listing some churches without valid baptism.
Some churches without valid baptism
Requesting sacramental certificates
- Details
Click here for information to request sacramental certificates and where to write if a parish has been closed.
Click here for general norms relating to sacramental registers, records and certificates.
Use of Low-Gluten Hosts and Mustum
- Details
In 2016 the U.S. Bishop's Conference (USCCB) updated its article "Celiac Disease, Alcohol Intolerance, and the Church's Pastoral Response."
Celiac disease is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. For those with the disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in the small intestine. In 2012, it was estimated 1.8 million Americans have celiac disease, but 1.4 million are unaware they have it. The lay faithful who are not able to receive Holy Communion at all under the species of bread, even of low-gluten hosts, may receive Holy Communion under the species of wine only. Mustum is defined as grape juice in which fermentation has begun, but has been suspended with the result that its alcohol content (usually less than 1.0%) does not reach the levels found in most table wines.
Penance and Reconciliation Resources
- Details
In November 2012 the United States Bishops published a pastoral exhortation entitled "God's Gift of Forgiveness," to encourage the faithful to avail themselves to this wonderful gift of healing and forgiveness.
God's Gift of Forgiveness: A Pastoral Exhortation and Guide for Receiving the Sacrament English Spanish
Reconciled to Right Relationships, Called to Heal and Restore English Spanish
Instruction on Cremation and the Disposition of Ashes
- Details
In October 2016 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued an Instruction entitled Ad resurgendum cum Christo (To rise with Christ). CLICK HERE to access the Instruction.