Sacraments

Baptism is the sacrament of faith which has the Risen Christ as its source, and it is the offer of salvation for all people. Intimately linked to Confirmation and to Eucharist, Baptism is, with these two sacraments, Christian Initiation. The child is baptized in the faith of their parents, godparents and of the Church.

• Parents wishing to have their child baptized at St. Mary’s Church must be active, registered parishioners and attend one informational session. This preparatory session is held in the parish office meeting room, and the baptisms usually scheduled for the last weekend of the month.

• Parents may register to attend the session either before or after the birth of their child but must do so BEFORE scheduling the Baptismal celebration.

• Preregistration for the informational session is required.

A candidate must be a baptized Catholic. If not baptized at St. Mary’s Church, a baptismal certificate is required.

Candidates for First Penance and First Eucharist must have participated in regular religious education or have attended Catholic School for the year preceding enrollment for preparation of these sacraments.

Candidates are to have the use of reason, which is canonically presumed at the age of seven.

Catechesis and celebration of First Eucharist is to be separated from that of First Penance. These Sacraments shall ordinarily take place when a child is in grade two.

For information on obtaining your Baptismal record or any other related paperwork, please call the Parish Office at 607-936-4689 ext. 201. 

Please call the number above and ask for our Faith Formation Coordinator in regard to questions starting the Baptism process and to register. 

Marriage is a Sacrament. The bride and groom contract their marriage in the presence of God and of the community of faith and become a holy sign of Christ’s love for the Church and of God’s faithful love for the world.

For a marriage to be sacramental, two baptized persons:
• freely enter into a vowed commitment of respect, reverence and love
• make this promise for a lifetime
• promise fidelity to each other
• desire that their love be blessed with children and make the commitment to pass on the gift of faith to their children.

If you are interested in having your wedding at St Mary's, please call the parish office at least six months prior to you desired wedding date. Marriage preparation is required. Many good resources for marriage can be found on www.ForYourMarriage.org