BAPTISM

Baptism is a joyful event for families and the parish alike. In Baptism a person is initiated and welcomed into the Church by receiving the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The following are the parent guidelines:
 

We want our young people to receive the Sacraments in relationship with the primary people in their lives; namely, their parents. Therefore, parents must be registered parishioners and express a willingness to practice their faith and to raise their child as a Catholic. They are encouraged to rely upon the commitment and responsibility of the larger faith community to assist them in the religious formation of their child. At Baptism, for example, a child's godparents represent the Church community pledging its support to help parents raise their children as Christians.
 

Parents and Godparents must participate in the preparation program and acquaint themselves with the role of being Christian parents and becoming an integral part of the faith community. Baptism preparation classes are held on the first Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Church Hall. Parents/Godparents are asked to speak with the priest or deacon performing the Baptism before coming to the instruction class. 

Baptisms are celebrated on the first and third Sunday of the month after the 12:00 noon Mass at about 1:00 p.m.

HOLY EUCHARIST

The family must be registered and regularly participate at Sunday Mass in the parish. The child must be baptized and have a baptism certificate. The ordinary time for the celebration of the sacrament is the third grade but this may be delayed at parental or Staff discretion. The child must participate in the Religious Education Program for the first, and second grades, and have an adequate understanding of the Eucharist and the Church.

RECONCILIATION

The family must be registered and regular participants at Sunday Mass in the parish. The child must be baptized and have a baptism certificate. The ordinary time for the celebration of the Sacrament is the second grade but this may be delayed at parental or Staff discretion.
 

The child must participate in the Religious Education Program for the first and second grades and have an adequate understanding of sin and forgiveness.

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation is a Sacrament of full initiation into the Catholic Church. In accord with the directive issued by the Diocese of Paterson through our Bishop, the parish community of Saint Peter's will be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation in the eighth grade.The program itself is part of the parish's Religious Education program.

MARRIAGE

One party must be registered and a regular participant at Sunday Mass in this parish. New Jersey Common Marriage Policy requires couples to contact a parish priest one year prior to the marriage date. (It is important to contact the priest first in order to select a wedding date before making reception arrangements).
 

The couple may choose to participate in either Pre-Cana or Engaged Encounter as a part of their preparation. The couple will need to meet several times with one of the parish priests or deacons. The couple needs an adequate understanding and acceptance of the principles and goals of Christian marriage.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK

The Sacrament of Anointing should be administered to those who are seriously ill; it is not a Sacrament only for those who have reached the end of their lives. A person in danger of death from sickness or old age should be anointed. Any sick person who is seriously ill as well as anyone preparing for surgery may be anointed. Elderly people may be anointed even though no illness has been diagnosed.