Church Sacraments

Baptism       
    Baptism is the first of the initiation sacraments (the other two are the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation) and it is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission.
    *Infants-6 years: Parents participate in the Baptism Preparation Program after which the baptism is scheduled.
    *7 years-adult: The Rite for Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which children who are seven years and older and adults are prepared for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. All three sacraments are received at one celebration, usually at the Easter Vigil or on Easter Sunday. (Please see “RCIA” in the Religious Education section for more information).  Link to Baptism Information Packet

Confirmation
    By the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit and are, therefore, as true witnesses of Christ, challenged to spread and defend their Catholic faith by word and deed.
    Preparation for Confirmation is a two year program within the Youth Ministry Program of the parish. Students must be at least 15 years old at the time of Confirmation.
    Adults who have not been confirmed are prepared through participation in the RCIA or another special program. They may receive Confirmation from the Bishop at the annual parish celebration or from the Pastor at another time during the year.

Holy Eucharist
    The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian Life. The other sacraments, indeed, all the ministries and apostolic works of the Church, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely, Christ Himself. Baptized children who are 7 years of age (second grade) are prepared for First Eucharist by their parents and catechists in conjunction with St. John Vianney Parish School or the Parish Religious Education Program.
    Children over 7 (third grade and above) are prepared by special arrangement with the Religious Education Department.

Reconciliation                                                                                                                       
    Reconciliation, also often referred to as Penance or Confession, is the sacrament in which Christ forgives sins and reconciles Christians to God and their fellow human beings. Baptized children who are 7 years of age (second grade) are prepared for First Reconciliation by their parents and catechists in conjunction with St. John Vianney Parish School or the Parish Religious Education Program.
    Children over 7 (third grade and above) are prepared by special arrangement with the Religious Education Department.
    The Sacrament of Reconciliation is scheduled weekly on Saturday mornings from 8:30-9:00 AM. During the seasons of Advent and Lent, special evening Communal Penance Services are scheduled. The Sacrament is also available at other times by appointment.

Anointing of the Sick
    The anointing of the Sick has as its purpose the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing difficulties that are associated with serious illness or advanced age. Any baptized Catholic who has sufficient use of reason to be strengthened by this sacrament and who is suffering from a serious illness, is facing serious surgery, or whose health is impaired by advanced age may receive the Anointing of the Sick.
    The Anointing of the Sick is available by calling the parish office to schedule individual anointing at home or at church. Communal celebrations of the Anointing of the Sick during Mass are celebrated four times a year, twice on Sundays at 11:00 AM Mass and twice on Saturdays at 8:00 AM Mass. All hospitals on Oahu have chaplains or local parish priests who are available for Anointing of the Sick for new admissions and emergencies.

Matrimony
    The Sacrament of Matrimony, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, gives the couple the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church.
    Arrangements for Matrimony require an initial interview with a priest or deacon and completion of the preparation program offered by St. John Vianney Parish and the Diocese of Honolulu. A minimum preparation period of four (4) months is required, although six (6) months or more is recommended.  Link to St. John Vianney Marriage Preparation and Policies