Sacraments
Baptism
Do you want to have your child baptized? Entry into the church community and God’s family through the rite of Baptism is a great decision and a significant step. This is an important choice on your part, because as parents, you are the first teachers of your child in the practice of the faith. The Saint Rita faith community shares your responsibility in preparing for your child’s baptism by providing an initial preparation program for parents. You are invited and expected to participate in this preparation to gain information about the celebration rite, explore the meaning and hopes of your child’s baptism, and your own expectations about sharing the life of faith.
Baptism can be undertaken at any age. Baptism frees us from sin and makes us members of the Christian community. We become sons and daughters of God.
Baptism is modeled upon the baptism of Christ Himself. Water is used to symbolize death to sin, life in Christ and the cleansing of the soul from all sin, including original sin.
Parents are required to attend preparation classes.
Godparents must be at least 16 years old, baptized, confirmed and practicing Catholics.
Contact – For more information call the parish office at 502-969-4579
Reconciliation
Every time we sin, we hurt ourselves, other people, and God. The Sacrament of Reconciliation (also called Penance or Confession) was given to us by Christ to help us reconcile with Christ and his Church when we have committed harm. Through the Sacrament, we acknowledge our sins, express our sorrow in a meaningful way, receive the forgiveness of Christ and his Church, make reparation for what we have done and resolve to do better in the future.
Weekly Reconciliation is on Saturdays between 4:00 to 4:30pm or by appointment through the Parish Office at 502-969-4579
First Reconciliation - If the child attends St. Rita School, they will receive preparation in the 2nd grade. If the child attends another school, they will take part in the Religious Education classes. For more information on Religious Education classes click here
First Communion/Holy Eucharist
Preparing children for First Holy Communion allows us to invite them to receive the loving presence of the Risen Lord through the Eucharist, who transforms our ordinary and everyday lives into an extraordinary encounter with God’s saving grace and love.
If the child attends St. Rita School, they will receive preparation for and First Holy Communion in 2nd grade. If the child attends another school, they will take part in the Religious Education classes. For more information on Religious Education classes click the link below.
Your child’s formal preparation for First Eucharist will be completed in the classroom. However, learning about our faith begins at home. As a parent, you are your child’s primary teacher of our Catholic faith. We are providing you with additional resources to continue your child’s learning at home. Please use the resources as they best fit your family.
Although it goes without saying that we should all attend Sunday Mass regularly, it is especially important that you help your child learn to participate in the Eucharist by your example. The Catholic Church calls all the faithful to full, conscious and active participation. Please model full participation for your child by actively participating in the liturgy with mind, body and spirit (this means singing, saying the prayers and generally being engaged in our communal worship).
Contact - For more information call the parish office at 502-969-4579
Confirmation
Confirmation is one of the two sacraments of initiation. When we are baptized, we partially receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation completes those gifts in us. With Confirmation we are “sealed” in the Spirit.
When one is confirmed, the archbishop will lay hands on the person, and then anoint them with chrism (blessed oil) reserved for just this purpose. The use of oil has a rich history in the Church: it symbolizes (in part) cleansing, healing, and strengthening. In Confirmation, we are strengthened in Christ and in our ability to live an outward Christian life.
“The sacrament of confirmation strengthens the baptized and obliges them more firmly to be witnesses of Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith. It imprints a character, enriches by the gift of the Holy Spirit the baptized continuing on the path of Christian initiation, and binds them more perfectly to the Church.” Canon Law 879
If the child attends St. Rita School, they will receive preparation for and the Sacrament of Confirmation in 8th grade. If the child attends another school they will take part in the Religious Education classes. For more information on Religious Education classes click here or call the Parish Office at 502-969-4579
Holy Matrimony
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." Mark 10:6-9
We welcome inquiries from all those desiring to be married in the Catholic Church and we want this to be a very special time in a couple’s faith life.
We recommend couples schedule their wedding as soon as they have a time frame for their wedding date. The Archdiocese of Louisville requires couples to notify the Parish office at least six months prior to the proposed date of their wedding and schedule a meeting with the pastor. This interval allows time to prepare for such a sacred commitment. In rare circumstances are exceptions made. Ordinarily, either the bride or the groom (or their parents) is a registered member or have a close affiliation to our church. We welcome the opportunity for couples to join our parish, if they are not already members.
Please contact the Parish office at 502-969-4579 to schedule an appointment to meet with the pastor and start the planning process.
Archdiocese of Louisville Marriage Preparation Programs
Contact - For more information call the parish office at 502-969-4579
Holy Orders
In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness. Men who are called to this ministry spend a great deal of time studying and praying about this life of service to the Church. There are three “degrees” to Holy Orders: deacon, priest, and bishop.
Some men are called to be permanent deacons. These men may be married. They receive extensive training through their diocese, and once ordained, serve the Church by assisting a pastor. Deacons are allowed to witness marriages, to baptize and to assist at Mass.
Those men called to the priesthood will be ordained “transitional deacons,” generally about one year before being ordained to the priesthood. The final degree of Holy Orders is to the “episcopate” — the order of bishop. Bishops are called to this by the Holy Father himself.
We ask for your prayerful support as these men discern their vocations and serve our archdiocese.
Those interested in starting the process of the Sacrament of Holy Orders should contact the Vocations Office of the Archdiocese. While this applies to the sacrament of Holy Orders, which is restricted to men, women who are seeking information about religious vocations should look here.
Anointing of the Sick
Please call the Parish Office if anyone is seriously sick (whether in a hospital, assisted care, or home) and wishes to be anointed. Eucharistic Ministers are available on Sunday to bring Communion to the homebound.
Contact - For more information call the parish office at 502-969-4579