SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
BAPTISM
The Celebration of Baptism for infants and children is normally scheduled for Sundays after the last Mass on Sundays. The Baptism of adults and older children is scheduled in conjunction with the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adult (RCIA) program.
BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS
Preparation classes for Parents and Godparents are held on the third Monday of the month.
Parents and Godparents are required to participate.
The purposes of the class are
- To discuss responsibilities to the child being baptized.
- To review the Rite of Baptism.
REGISTRATION
Register for the class or to get additional information by contacting Sister Mary Catherine at 410-242-2292.
EVANGELIZATION OPPURTUNITY
Parish couples are welcome to help with this program.
FIRST RECONCILIATION
Ascension Parish celebrates First Reconciliation in February.
PREPARATION FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION
Preparation classes are available to students at Ascension School and the Religious Education Program.
Children of Ascension Parish celebrate their First Reconciliation while in the fourth grade unless their parents feel they are mature enough to make it sooner.
REQUIREMENTS
The Archdiocese requires candidates for this sacrament to have one year’s previous enrollment in a religious education program or in a Catholic school AND to be so enrolled in the current year. There are three mandatory meetings for parents.
REGISTRATION
Instructions for registration will appear in the Parish Bulletin in early spring. Direct questions and other inquiries through the Parish Center at 410.242.2292 to Mrs. Marie Murphy, the Director of Religious Education.
FIRST EUCHARIST
Ascension Parish celebrates First Eucharist in early May.
PREPARATION
Preparation for First Eucharist is available to students in Ascension School and the religious education program. Children receive their First Eucharist normally during the second grade unless their parents feel the child should wait until they are older.
REQUIREMENTS
The Archdiocese requires candidates for this sacrament to have one year’s previous enrollment In a religious education program, or in a Catholic school AND to be so enrolled in the current year.
REGISTRATION
Instructions for registration will appear in the parish bulletin in early spring. Direct questions and other inquiries through the Parish Center at 410-242-2292 to Mrs. Marie Murphy, the Director of Religious Education
CONFIRMATION
A visiting Bishop will celebrate the Confirmation in October or November of each year.
PREPARATION
Those preparing for Confirmation must do the following:
- Attend 6 classroom sessions on selected Tuesday evenings during the ninth grade
- They must attend a one-day retreat held on a Saturday in March
- Participate in a one-day field trip
- Perform 4 hours of related community service in the parish
This is separate from the regular religious education programs. Additionally sessions are scheduled for parents and sponsors. Community Service activities are scheduled individually with Deacon Tom.
REGISTRATION
Letters are mailed to the parents of all graduating 8th graders in August providing information about the program and notice for the date of the Information Session and Registration Meeting. Notice also appears in the Parish Bulletin in early fall. For further information, contact Deacon Tom Yannuzzi through the Parish Center at 410.242.2292.
MATRIMONY
Couples wishing to be married at Ascension schedule their Celebrations of the Sacrament of Matrimony individually. Couples contemplating marriage should contact Deacon Tom Yannuzzi no later than six months before they plan to marry.
MARRIAGE BOOKLET
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
A Mass of Anointing of the Sick is celebrated in the spring and the fall of each year. Seniors and those with acute or chronic illnesses are invited to receive the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. At other times, anyone who is seriously ill or in danger of death should receive the Sacrament. No special preparation is required. Individuals may also receive the Anointing of the Sick at other times by calling the Parish Center. Direct inquiries to the Parish office at 410.242.2292.
RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENTS WHEN HOSPITALIZED (RECONCILIATION, EUCHARIST OR ANOINTING OF THE SICK)
ST. AGNES HOSPITAL.
When patients present themselves at St. Agnes Hospital for admission and inform the admitting officer they are Catholic, the hospital priest chaplain automatically visits the patient within six to eight hours of admission to provide whatever Sacraments the patient wishes. In an emergency, request the emergency department staff or cardiac staff to call the priest chaplain who will respond quickly. When asked if you wish the parish notified of your admission, to respond “yes” means you simply want the parish priest to know you are in St. Agnes so the priest knows you are there when making hospital visits. It DOES NOT MEAN the priest will rush over to St. Agnes because he knows there is a priest available at the hospital around the clock.
AT OTHER HOSPITALS
Persons admitted to non-Catholic hospitals should advise the admissions office that they allow the hospital to make information regarding their admission available to the Catholic clergy assigned to that hospital and to request a priest if it is an emergency.
