Sacraments

Infant Baptism

Baptism is the gateway to life in the Spirit. It is the means through which we gain access to the other sacraments. Through baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God. By baptism we become members of Christ and his church. The Diocese of Greensburg has official qualifications of baptism ponsors as well as the appropriate number of sponsors required. Learn more...

Please contact the Faith Formation Office at 724.930.8504 for more information or to schedule your child's baptism. Parents must attend Baptism Preparation one month prior to the baptism. These classes will be held in the future on January 11, 2012 (St. Sebastian), March 14, 2012 (Epiphany) and May 9, 2012 (St. Sebastian) at 7:00 PM.

Reconciliation

Given that sin destroys our relationship with God and undermines our relationship with other human beings, "reconciliation" designates that precise effect of Christ's redemption of the human race that restores our relationship with God and our human fellowship. Learn more...

Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturdays at 11:30 AM (unless otherwise noted) in addition to regional services during Advent and Lent.

Second grade parishioners in our Religious Education program or in a Catholic School make their First Reconciliation in the winter. For more information, please contact the Faith Formation Office at 724.930.8504.

First Eucharist

The Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Through this sacrament of initiation we participate with the whole community of believers in the Lord’s own sacrifice. Learn more...

Second grade parishioners in our Religious Education program or in a Catholic School make their First Eucharist during the Easter Season. For more information, please contact the Faith Formation Office at 724.930.8504.

Confirmation

As you may be aware, Bishop Brandt has moved the normative age for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation to 8th grade. For all of the catechetical and theological reasons for this move you are strongly encouraged to read Bishop Brandt’s pastoral letter, The Transmission of Faith in the Present Culture.

In order for the reception of the sacrament to be moved up to the 8th grade, the Bishop will be confirming children of increasingly older ages until 2018 when 8th grade will be the norm. The schedule for our parish is as follows:

Children entering 3rd grade this year will be confirmed in 4th grade (2011-12 school year)
Children entering 2nd grade this year will be confirmed in 6th grade (2014-15 school year)
Children entering 1st grade this year will be confirmed in 8th grade (2017-18 school year)

Additionally, the Sacrament of Confirmation is offered to adults each year during the Easter Season at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.

For more information, please contact the Faith Formation Office at 724.930.8504.

Marriage

The marriage covenant prefigures the new and everlasting covenant between the Son of God and all mankind. Click here for more information and also read The Pastoral Care and Preparation for the Celebration of Marriage, a marriage guide established by the Diocese of Greensburg.

Marriages must be arranged at least 1 year in advance with Msgr. Statnick. The Diocese of Greensburg requires that all couples planning to be married in the Catholic Church attend Marriage Preparation Classes. Here at Saint Sebastian these classes are offered four times a year: February, May, August and November. As an alternative to the parish sessions, a couple may opt to attend an Engaged Encounter Weekend.

R.C.I.A.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a journey toward becoming a full, participating member of the Catholic Church. This modern rite was restored in the late 1970s, in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, but it is based on the ancient "order of catechumens," which dates to the earliest years of the church's history. Click here for more information and learn how to become a Catholic in our Diocese.

For more information on our parish's R.C.I.A. program, please contact the Faith Formation Office at 724.930.8504.

Anointing of the Sick

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1511 states, "The Church believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments there is one especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness, the Anointing of the Sick." A priest celebrates the sacrament either in a liturgical or communal celebration or on an individual basis. Special prayers are said, he lays his hands on the person, and anoints them with oil. Many may know this sacrament by other names, Extreme Unction or Last Rites, but by way of the Second Vatican Council, this Sacrament has been renewed. It is not only for those who are dying, but for those who are "being tried by illness."

If you are suffering from illness or other infirmity, or if you are preparing for surgery, you could be a candidate for this Sacrament! Maybe one of the most important things to know is that you don’t need to wait to receive the special graces imparted by Anointing of the Sick. Please contact the Parish Office if you, or someone you love, needs to be Anointed.

Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his Apostles continues to be exercised in the church. It includes three degrees: diaconate, presbyterate and episcopate. Learn more...

Please contact Msgr. Statnick or the Diocesan Vocations Office for more information about the priesthood and permanent diaconate.