-
-
Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism is the beginning of our faith journey. Baptism brings us into new life in Christian faith and infuses us with the Holy Spirit. It brings us into God’s community and sparks our relationship with Jesus. If you or someone you know is seeking to be baptized, please contact the Parish Office.
"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."Cathechism of the Catholic Church #1213
Infant and Young Child Baptism
If your child is an infant or under the age of 8 years old, a catechetical class is required for both parents, and if possible the godparents, to complete prior to the baptism of the infant or child. Please contact the Pastor at 651-257-2474 x31 for more details, registration, and to schedule a baptism. If your child is of Catechetical age or older (8 years or older), please contact the Director of Faith Formation at 651-257-2474 x58 to schedule an introductory meeting to the baptismal program for older children.
Adult Baptism
Adults who wish to be baptized and brought into the fullness of the Catholic faith are more than welcome at St. Bridget of Sweden. Please scroll down to the RCIA section for more details.
-
Reconciliation
Reconciliation is a sacrament of forgiveness and healing from our wrongdoings. As Catholics, we believe it is vital to reconcile with God in order to grow in our faith, love, and trust in the Lord. God invites us to this great sacrament so that we may know of His deep love and mercy for us.
"The whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God's grace and joining us with him in an intimate relationship." Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament. For those who receive the sacrament of Penance with contrite heart and religious disposition, reconciliation "is usually followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation." Indeed the sacrament of Reconciliation with God brings about a true "spiritual resurrection," restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God."Catechism of the Catholic Church #1468
First Reconcilation Program
At St. Bridget's, the First Reconciliation program typically begins when a child is in second grade, although may begin at a later age if needed. The First Reconciliation sessions are separate from the Wednesday night Faith Formation classes, but to be enrolled in First Reconciliation classes, a student must also be registered for Faith Formation classes. Preparation and reception of the Sacrament of First Reconciliation always takes place before preparation and reception of the Sacrament of First Eucharist. The Frist Reconicilaition program begins in the Fall with students receiving their First Reconciliation at the end of January. The sessions provide the Faithful with a positive experience of encountering the healing mercy and forgiveness of God. For more information, please call the Director of Faith Formation at 651-257-2474 x58.
-
EucharistThe Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic Faith. We come together to celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and receive him in the Eucharist, so that we may be spiritually fed to serve others in His name.
"The Eucharist is 'the source and summit of the Christian life.' 'The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.'"Cathechism of the Catholic Church #1324First Eucharist Program
At St. Bridget's, the First Eucharist program typically begins when a child is in second grade, although may begin at an older age if needed. The First Eucharist sessions are separate from the Wednesday night Faith Formation classes, but to be enrolled in First Reconciliation classes, a student must also be registered for Faith Formation classes. A student must also have received their First Reconciliation before their First Eucharist. The Frist Eucharist program begins in the Spring when students have completed their First Reconcilation, and they will receive their Frist Eucharist in the May. The First Eucharist sessions provide the Faithful with a positive experience of learning who Jesus is and why the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. For more information, please call the Director of Faith Formation at 651-257-2474 x58.
-
COnfirmationConfirmation is a Sacrament where an individual is sealed with the Holy Spirit and receives Spiritual gifts to be an adult in the faith. This Sacrament marks a beginning, it is not merely a graduation, or an end to formal education in the faith, but involves a decision on the part of the young person to join with us fully in the work of salvation. The individual is now freely pursuing a personal and intentional relationship with Jesus and helping to building the Kingdom of God with truth and beauty.
"For "by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed."Cathechism of the Catholic Church #1285Confirmation Program
The Confirmation program at St. Bridget's typically begins in 9th grade. The two year program ends with the Celebration of Confirmation at the end of the student's 10th grade year. Confirmation classes take place on Wednesday nights from the Fall through the Spring, and students are given the option to choose their Confirmation mini courses from select options each year. The program requires the young person to walk their faith journey with a sponsor, meet regularly with that sponsor to share faith stories, complete service projects, and learn to live a life of prayer. Students will also complete a Confirmation Guidebooks which accompanies their sessions with their sponors, guides them week to week in learning about the faith and what they are grateful for, as well as, give them opportunity to reflect on their service projects. Finally, the Confirmation Program requires students to go on two Confirmation retreats during the two year program. Please contact the Director of Faith Formation for more information at 651-257-2474 x58. -
Holy Matrimony
"The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament."
Cathechism of the Catholic Church #`1601
Congratulations on your engagement! St. Bridget's would love to assist you in any way we can in planning for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Please contact our Pastor, normally one year in advance, to find an available date for your wedding and schedule marriage preparation sessions. Pastor's number: 651-25-2474 x31.
-
Anointing of the SickAnointing of the Sick is a beautiful Sacrament for those who are experiencing sickness, serious injury, or are close to death. This Sacrament stems from our belief that Jesus is our healer and physician and He has the power to heal, save, and grant us mercies. This Sacrament provides the bestower the grace to be the handmaid of God's Will and receive His healing mercy.
"Christ's compassion toward the sick and his many healings of every kind of infirmity are a resplendent sign that "God has visited his people" and that the Kingdom of God is close at hand. Jesus has the power not only to heal, but also to forgive sins; he has come to heal the whole man, soul and body; he is the physician the sick have need of."Catechism of the Catholic Church #1503
To inquire about an Anointing, please visit our Pastoral Care webpage or contact our Pastor at 651-257-2474 x31 or the Director of Pastoral Care at 651-257-2474 x25 -
Holy OrdersHoly Orders is the Sacrament of becoming a priest in the Catholic Church. This Sacrament is bestowed after many years of vocational discernment, schooling, and prayer.
"Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry."Catechism of the Catholic Church #1536
If you or someone you know is discerning the priesthood or another religious life vocation, and is need of spiritual direction, please contact the parish office at 651-257-2474 x0. -
OCIAOCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults - formerly known as RCIA) begins in the Fall of each year. This process focuses primarily on those, un-baptized or baptized, who are interested in becoming Catholic. OCIA helps adults grow in their relationship with God, become familiar with Catholic teachings and practices, get acquainted with people in the parish and get involved in service with the parish and wider community. For more information please call the Director of Faith Formation at 651-257-2474 x58 or see the OCIA brochure below.
-