The Sacrament of Baptism
 

Baptism is a Sacrament which cleanses us from original sin, makes us Christians, children of God, and heirs of heaven.  Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)  

Parents should schedule their child's Baptism either before or soon after the child’s birth.  The child does not have to be born to prepare for the Baptism.  Baptisms are generally celebrated at St. Paul's on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month at 1:30 pm in the Church.  Instruction classes for parents [and godparents] are on the last Wednesday of the month from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  Please, call the rectory (845)268-4464 for location and further details. 

Godparents /Sponsors:

A godparent/sponsor assumes a very serious obligation.  At a Baptism a godparent responds for the infant renouncing Satan, his works, and empty promises.  The sponsor expresses faith in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the child's name.  A sponsor does the same with his/her godchild at Confirmation.  Other duties of a godparent/sponsor are to pray for his/her godchild, to be an example of integrity and sincerity in practicing the Catholic Faith, and, if the child's parents are unable, to see to it that the child is educated according to the teaching of the Catholic Church.  In order to fulfill such duties, the Church maintains certain conditions are a prerequisite for a godparent/sponsor.

1. One must be a Catholic.
2. One must have received all the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation.
3. One must be 14 years of age or older.
4. One must practice the Catholic faith by:
a. believing all the Church teaches on matters of faith and morals,
b. participating in Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation (unless hindered because of some illness),
c. fulfilling one's Easter Duty,
d. being a single person not giving scandal by one's way of life; or a person married with the blessing of the Catholic Church.
  

Sponsor certificates are ordinarily issued by a parish priest or deacon, during office hours Monday to Friday, to parishioners who have been registered at St. Paul for at least 3 months. Please contact the rectory office.

The Sacrament of Confirmation

Confirmation is the sacrament through which the Holy Ghost comes to us in a special way and enables us to profess our faith as strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ. 
But I speak the truth to you; it is expedient for you that I depart. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. (John 16:7)  

Students at St. Paul’s School are given a thorough preparation for Confirmation.  Parish children who do not attend St. Paul’s school are provided with religious education classes. 

To register with our school, please, call: [845-268-6506].  

To register with our religious education program, please, call:  [845-268-5442].

See above for sponsor requirements which are the same as for a baptismal sponsor.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults [RCIA]:

In the not-too-distant past, most adults who wanted to become Roman Catholics attended a few weeks of convert instruction and were baptized in a private ceremony by the parish priest.  It was a process that essentially involved only a priest and the inquirer.  One of the fruits of the Second Vatican Council [1963-1965] was the renewed process of forming and initiating adults called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).  In the words of an author named Thomas H. Morris, “Men and women involved in the RCIA today are formed at the hands of the local community around the Word of God, discerning and welcoming God's invitation to embrace life in the Catholic Christian community, and thus serving the mission of Jesus in the world today.”

The RCIA seeks to adapt for modern times the process the Church used in initiating members during the fourth century.  Early Christians realized that initiation is a process that moves through certain stages and that necessarily involves the entire Catholic community.  At St. Paul's, inquirers meet weekly with a team of lay people and clergy who teach the faith, share their own experience of Christ in their lives, and accompany inquirers on their journey of faith.  On Sundays they reflect on Sacred Scripture and Holy Tradition which opens them more fully to the powerful Word of God.

RCIA is open to anyone, Christian or non-Christian, who genuinely seeks to explore the possibility of joining the Catholic Church.  Catholic adults who have not made their First Holy Communion or Confirmation are most welcome.

Naturally, RCIA includes a substantial amount of instruction in the teachings of the Church.  But first and foremost, RCIA is a process of conversion; it is about allowing God’s Holy Spirit to transform one’s heart.  Along the way, inquirers participate in a number of ceremonies in which the Catholic community gradually encourages them onto full membership.  These ceremonies include the Rite of Acceptance/Welcoming, the Rite of Election, and the three Scrutinies.  Initiation culminates at the Easter Vigil through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

The Sacrament of MaTriMony

Matrimony is the sacrament by which a baptized man and a baptized woman bind themselves for life in a lawful marriage and receive the grace to discharge their duties. 
And God created man to his own image; to the image of God he created him. Male and female he created them. And God blessed them, saying "Increase and multiply, and fill the earth." (Genesis 1:27-28)  
 

Engaged couples should contact the rectory [(845)268-4464 ] at least 6 months before the intended marriage in order to arrange for their participation in the marriage preparation program.
 

The Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament which, through the anointing with blessed oil by the priest, and through his prayer, gives health and strength to the soul and sometimes to the body of a person whose sickness, accident, or old age carries with it some danger of death. 
Is any one among you sick? Let him bring in the priests of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14)  

If anyone is in proximate danger of death, do not hesitate to contact a priest [(845)268-4464 ] at any time of day or night.  If possible, arrange to have a crucifix, a glass of water, and a lit candle in the room where the dying person is present. 

For those who will be undergoing major surgery, it is suggested that they contact the rectory [(845)268-4464 to have a priest anoint them.
 

Holy Communion

Holy Communion is the receiving of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. 
He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, abides in me and I in him. (John 6:57)  

If someone is homebound or in the hospital, please notify the rectory [(845)268-4464].  Arrangements can be made so that the homebound person is not deprived of receiving the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.  Each Sunday, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are deputed to bring the Holy Eucharist to the homebound and both Nyack Manor and Tolstoy nursing facilities. 

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered at Nyack Manor every Wednesday at 10:30 am and at Tolstoy at 10:30 am on the Last Friday of each month. Holy Communion is brought by a priest to those confined to their rooms.  Please, inform the rectory [(845)268-4464] if a family member of friend has been recently admitted to these places.
 

The Sacrament of Penance

Penance is the sacrament by which sins committed after Baptism are forgiven through the absolution of the priest. The priest has the power to forgive sins from Jesus Christ, who said to His apostles and to their successors in the priesthood: “Receive the Holy Ghost; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.” (John 20:22-23)  

At the request of a penitent, confessions can be heard at any reasonable time.  If the penitent is homebound, a priest will visit the home.  Please, call the rectory office [(845)268-4464 ] or speak with a priest after Mass.

Confessions are regularly scheduled to be heard in the church on Saturday evenings beginning at 4:30 pm, and on the Thursdays before First Fridays at 4:00 pm in the church.

Penance services with individual confessions are also offered in Advent, Lent, and during our  parish mission.  Check the bulletin for dates.

Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of this sacrament. 

The confessionals in the church give the penitent an option of confessing anonymously from behind a screen or face-to-face.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which men receive the power and grace to perform the sacred duties of bishops, priests, and deacons of the Church. 
For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in the things pertaining to God, that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. (Hebrews 5:1)  

Any man who believes he is being called to the priesthood or diaconate should speak with a priest of the parish, or contact the vocation director of the Archdiocese of NY vocations@archny.org