The sacramental life of the individual and for the community begins with Baptism.
All other sacraments flow from this great beginning. When the time comes to discern Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation, candidates need to have a faith foundation. At Holy Spirit, our lifelong, intergenerational faith exploration process is Seasons of Faith. |
Life can be understood as if traveling on a pilgrimage or the experience of a hiking group.
Though people are walking together, they are not all of the same strength, endurance or experience. All of the participants will eventually reach the destination but not necessarily at the same time or together and that needs to be OK. Though a hike or pilgrimage can be a group experience there will always be that solitary-individual component that cannot be compared with any other person. The spiritual pilgrimage of our Christian life, of which the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation is a component, is no different. We are traveling together as God’s People toward Jesus but we are all at different points in our spiritual growth, human experience and personal histories. This will mean that the individuals who come forward from within our community will be a variety of ages and backgrounds, and there may be individuals who are Christian but not Catholics and wish to come into Communion with the Catholic Church by completing their Initiation. Different travelers at different places along the route all headed for the same summit: Jesus Christ. |
Adults who would like to begin discernment for celebrating Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation:
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is for adults who have never been baptized or were baptized in another Christian tradition and would like to begin formation for Eucharist and Confirmation. Catholic adults who have celebrated Baptism and Eucharist and would like to learn more about celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation are welcome! We invite you to learn more about the process for you. Please complete the contact form or call the office at 518-477-7925 to begin the conversation. |
Parents – You Are #1!
Parents, you are the #1 influence on your child’s faith, and what you do to nurture faith at home and in your parish are vitally important. The Second Vatican Council noted the importance of the home in nurturing faith in its reference to the family at “the Domestic Church” or the “Church of the Home”. In essence, the family is the most basic foundation of Church. Sunday Eucharist is the centerpiece of life as a Catholic. Please make every effort to develop a practice of coming to Mass with your children each week, both now and after they celebrate Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation. Just as we provide our children daily with food at our table, we cannot fail to provide them weekly with the food that will sustain them for life – the presence of Jesus Christ in Word and Sacrament. Visit our young families webpage. Sacramental Discernment is an important time in your family's faith journey. We look forward to walking with your family during this process.
Discernment is a decision making process involving readiness and prayer.
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Photo by Bart Sadowski, Shutterstock, CNA
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Baptism - the beginning of our faith life
Congratulations and welcome to our parish family. All candidates for baptism need a sponsor who is a confirmed, practicing Catholic to accompany them on their journey of faith. For more information or to schedule a conversation please contact Dan Fudge at [email protected] or 518-477-7925. |
Eucharist - the source and summit of our faith
The Eucharist is our Communion with God and with God’s People. When Jesus gives his Body and Blood he is giving his life and his spirit. Like a mother that nurtures the baby in her womb with her own body and blood, God nurtures and nourishes the church community, with Eucharist. Reconciliation and Eucharist discernment begins during the Fall Semester.
Once candidates have completed the pre-requisites and met the requirements, the discernment process can begin. Formation for Eucharist will include mini-retreats, independent study and virtual small group gatherings for the candidate along with their parent(s)/guardians. We look forward to accompanying your family at this special time. |
Confession is the sacrament of the tenderness of God, his way of embracing us.
Pope Francis |
Reconciliation - experiencing God's love and mercy.
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, through an examination of conscience, confession, absolution and penance, we experience the unending mercy of God. Reconciliation and Eucharist discernment begins during the Fall Semester.
Once candidates have completed the pre-requisites and met the requirements, the discernment process can begin. Discernment for Reconciliation will include a retreat, independent study and virtual small group gatherings for the candidate along with their parent(s)/guardians. We look forward to accompanying your family at this special time. If it's been a while since you've experienced Reconciliation, the USCCB has a wonderful webpage with resources that will be helpful. |
Confirmation - sealed with the Holy Spirit, completing baptism.
Welcome to this important time in your life with Jesus Christ and His Church! This discernment for the celebration of Confirmation marks a new chapter in your faith life and the completion of your initiation into the Church. Holy Spirit provides, once a year, a spiritual preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Fall. Preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a spiritual preparation consisting of Spiritual Retreat Services and 4 small group gatherings with the candidate, their sponsor, and for adolescent candidates, their parents/guardians. This includes a mystagogy retreat after the celebration of Confirmation. Discernment for Confirmation begins during the Summer Season.
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Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick is available not only for those in danger of death, but for all who are suffering from serious chronic illness, those of advanced years who are experiencing the fragility and decline of health, and those who are soon to undergo serious surgery. Please call Dan in the parish office at 518-477-7925 or email him at [email protected] to schedule an Anointing. |
Marriage
Congratulations on your engagement! We rejoice with couples engaged to be married, and we look forward to supporting your journey for preparation not just for the wedding but for the life of your marriage. A wedding is a day, a marriage is a lifetime — so we are happy to help engaged couples prepare for both. To schedule an appointment please contact Dan Fudge at hsceg.org or call the parish office at 518-447-7925. The USCCB also has some wonderful resources online for you to explore. |
Vocation to Holy Orders and Religious Life
A great source of blessing to the life of the Church comes from those individuals who are considering a special vocation to religious life or to orders as an ordained minister (priest or deacon). Our Diocesan Office of Vocations will be happy to work with anyone interested in exploring Holy Orders or Religious Life. |