Sacraments

The sacrament is called Confirmation because the faith and the gift of the Holy Spirit given in Baptism is confirmed that is, made strong. All receive the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus.

The Sacrament of Confirmation completes the Sacraments of Christian Initiation that began with Baptism and Holy Communion. We receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit by where the individual now stands before the Church to give personal witness for his faith.

Normally, the bishop confirms the Catholics in his diocese. However, a priest can be delegated by the bishop to confirm in exceptional circumstances. Those who are baptized as adults receive along with baptism the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion. However, those who are baptized as a child must follow our Diocesan guidelines and prepare for First Communion usually in second grade and then Confirmation usually in tenth grade.

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samar′ia had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. -Acts 8:14-16

If you need to receive this Sacrament, please direct your concerns and questions to our Faith Formation office at 239-455-3900, ext. 303.

The Sacrament of Penance (also called Reconciliation or Confession) is where we encounter God’s unconditional forgiveness, and as a result, we are called to forgive others. In John 20:23, Jesus tells his apostles: Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained. Thus, He establishes that the forgiveness of sins is a ministry of the Church. Later in the bible, St. Paul shows that he continued this ministry: Whomever you forgive anything, so do I. For indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for you in the presence of Christ, 2 Corinthians 2:10.

Catholics must confess all mortal sins committed since baptism. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1457-58):

“Each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year. Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution…”

“Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.”

“Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed, the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful.”

Confession times at St Elizabeth Seton Parish:

• Saturdays following the 8:00am liturgy and at 3:00pm
• Tuesdays from 6:00-6:45pm
• Confession in Spanish is held on Saturday at 5:30pm just before the Spanish Mass

Confession is held at additional times within each liturgical season. Please check the website and bulletin for details.

Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” -John 6:53-56

The Eucharist, the very Body and Blood, the Soul and Divinity of Jesus, is the source and summit, the foundation and formation of our faith. We celebrate it daily and several times over the weekend. If you or your child have not yet been prepared to receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church, please review the First Communion policy that is available in both English and Spanish. For additional information please contact the parish office, 239-455-3900, ext. 208 or email us faithformation@stelizabethseton.org

Sacred Scripture begins with the creation and union of man and woman and ends with “the wedding feast of the Lamb” (Rev 19:7, 9). Scripture often refers to marriage, its origin and purpose, the meaning God gave to it, and its renewal in the covenant made by Jesus with his Church.

God created man and woman out of love and commanded them to imitate his love in their relations with each other. Man and woman were created for each other. “It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him…..The two of them become one body” (Gn 2:18, 24). Woman and man are equal in human dignity, and in marriage both are united in an unbreakable bond.

The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at Church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.

Anyone interested in getting married at St. Elizabeth Seton must meet certain conditions. Please review the documents on the side of this page. If you are eligible, contact our office at 239-455-3900 or email to make wedding arrangements for the church. If you are interested in renting any of our facilities for a wedding reception please let our office know.

Visit this page for Marriage Requirements and Forms

In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them to the sacraments, by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness.

Learn more about the Vocations journey here.

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction, is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for physical but also for mental spiritual sickness.

If you would like an appointment for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, please all the parish office 239-455-3900

We are sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please know of our contained prayers and hope that we share in Jesus, Our Risen Lord. We are blessed to work with you and assist you in laying your loved one to rest.

We have a separate page for information on Funeral Liturgies, Cremation and Planning here.