The Sacrament page is a resource to assist you if you or a family member is interested in receiving one of the sacraments of the Catholic Church. If you need to request a certificate for Baptism, Confirmation or Marriage; or need further assistance, please contact the parish office at 255-3162, ext. 1128 or email parishoffice@holytrinitydm.org - thank you.
The Diocese of Des Moines states, “We believe that through worship and sacraments, we have an interaction with God that transforms us and makes us holy and in turn energizes us to carry forth the Good News of Jesus with a lively faith.”
BAPTISM
In baptism, we are re-created as the children of God and brought into the Life of God through Jesus Christ. In baptism, we receive the Holy Spirit who makes a dwelling within us, bearing the gifts of Faith, Hope, and Love. Later, in confirmation, these gifts with the fire or intensity of the Spirit, will be made firm, bringing these gifts of Faith, Hope, and Love, to maturation as they begin to manifest themselves in Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety (Reverence), and Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe). A Pre-Baptismal Preparation Class for parents is scheduled each month at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The class begins at 7:00 pm, and lasts approximately two hours. To register for a class or to schedule a baptism, please contact the Holy Trinity Parish Office at 515-255-3162, ext. 1128 or email parishoffice@holytrinitydm.org. Baptisms may be celebrated during the weekend Masses or outside of
FIRST EUCHARIST
Like baptism and confirmation, the reception of Eucharist initiates or brings us into yet a closer relationship with God. Yet, unlike both baptism and confirmation which are received once, the Eucharist is the on-going nourishment which takes us into the Life of God and binds us together with our brothers and sisters in Love. Our nourishment in the Sacred Meal of the Eucharist is a Living Person–the Person of Jesus Christ. When we receive this Living Person in the Eucharist and we participate in Faith with God we receive, and we become continually formed to the likeness of Christ. Nourished with Christ, we become Christ for others. Sacramental preparation for First Communion normally takes place in the second grade for children baptized in the Catholic Faith. Essential for the preparation of First Communion is regular worship in Sunday Mass, participation in either faith formation through our Catholic grade school or faith formation sessions for public school students, parish formation activities such as parent meetings, family-centered activities and a retreat; and a commitment on the part of the parents to the faith formation of their children after the first reception of Communion. First Communion is typically celebrated during the season of Easter. For more information, please contact the Holy Trinity Director of Faith Formation, Paulette Chapman at 515-255-3162, ext. 1124 or email pchapman@holytrinitydm.org.
RECONCILIATION
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturday’s from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm at
First Reconciliation
First Reconciliation helps children appreciate that God loves and is always ready to forgive them. Additionally, First Reconciliation enables children and households to deepen family expressions of forgiveness and healing. Preparation for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation normally takes place in the second grade for children baptized in the Catholic Faith. Essential for the preparation of First Reconciliation is regular worship in Sunday Mass, participation in faith formation either through our Catholic grade school or faith formation sessions for public school students. For more information, please contact the Holy Trinity Parish Office at 515-255-3162, ext. 1128 or email parishoffice@holytrinitydm.org.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is a Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. During this exciting time, young people often find they have many questions about their faith and life’s choices. The preparation process for Confirmation provides a time to explore one’s Catholic identity and what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Preparation for the Sacrament for Confirmation normally takes place in the eighth grade for children baptized in the Catholic faith. Essential for the preparation of Confirmation is regular worship in Sunday Mass, participation in faith formation either through our Catholic grade school or faith formation sessions for public school students, parish formation activities including service projects and a retreat; and a commitment on the part of the candidate and his/her parents to be active members of a parish community. For more information, please contact the Holy Trinity’s Director of Faith Formation, Paulette Chapman at 515-255-3162, ext. 1124 or email pchapman@holytrinitydm.org.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the way by which people become full members of the Roman Catholic Church. Full membership requires a total formation which culminates in the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. RCIA is a faith journey in which a person is introduced to the community, beliefs, liturgy, and apostolic work of the Catholic Church. RCIA is designed primarily for those seeking Baptism. Since baptized Christians from other denominations may be seeking membership in the Catholic Church, the RCIA process is adapted to their needs as well. Baptized Catholics are also welcome who are seeking Confirmation, thus completing their initiation sacraments. The purpose of any process of Christian Initiation is to allow people the opportunity to deepen their encounter with Christ and Catholic community. More is involved than merely learning a creed. The process involves several aspects Period of Inquiry, Period of Formation, Period of Sacramental Preparation, Sacraments of Initiation, and a Period of Continued Growth and Reflection. For more information, please contact the Holy Trinity’s Parish Office at 515-255-3162, ext. 1128 or email parishoffice@holytrinitydm.org.
ANOINTING of the SICK
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is intended for those who are ill. The Rite consists of the “laying on of hands” and the anointing of the hands and forehead of the sick person. The illness need not be life threatening to receive the sacrament. And in fact it is common practice now for people to be anointed if they are simply in old age or suffering with a chronic disease or addiction and wish to receive the special grace of this sacrament. This sacrament is not to be confused with the old notion of the “last rites” which were reserved only for persons in imminent danger of death. Individuals may make an appointment to celebrate the Sacrament by contacting the pastor at 515-255-3162, ext. 1126. Twice a year we celebrate a communal Anointing of the Sick in the Church. For more information on the date and time of the communal Anointing of the Sick, please contact the parish office at 515-255-3162, ext. 1128 or email parishoffice@holytrinitydm.org.
MARRIAGE
Arrangements for weddings must be made at least six (6) months in advance. One of the parties to wed must live within the parish boundaries, or be a registered parishioner, or be an immediate family member of a parishioner. Weddings at Holy Trinity are celebrated on Friday evenings or Saturday early afternoons. The sign of unity at the wedding ceremony is the parties’ exchange of vows. Generally, in a wedding ceremony for a Catholic marrying a non-Catholic it is not appropriate to have Eucharist. However, in a wedding ceremony with two Catholics the Eucharist is appropriate to have, as it is an extension of the sign of unity the couple has just expressed in their vows. Marriage preparation consists of meeting with the parish Deacon or Pastor for an initial conversation and the administration of the Pre-Marriage Inventory. The results of the inventory are then reviewed, with the engaged couple, through a series of meetings with a Sponsor Couple. A Sponsor Couple is a parish couple who is a part of the Marriage Preparation Program and acts as mentors to an engaged couple who progresses through their Marriage Preparation Program. If you need to make the necessary arrangements for Marriage or interested in the ministry of Sponsor Couple please contact the Holy Trinity parish office at 515-255-3162, ext. 1128 or email parishoffice@holytrinitydm.org.
HOLY ORDERS and RELIGIOUS LIFE
Vocations - The Diocese of
Deacon - A Deacon in the Catholic Church is an ordained minister. Deacons have a three-fold ministry: Ministry of Charity – serving people in need; Ministry of the Word – to live the Gospels daily through action, prayer, study and preaching; and Ministry of Liturgy – serving at the altar, including performing Baptisms, witnessing marriages and officiating at funerals. The Diaconate Program is a process of formation that brings reality to a man’s call to the Church and the Church’s call to the man. The program is a 4-plus year process where academics, spirituality, community and self-awareness are developed and heightened resulting in ordination and the lifelong commitment to serve the Church. If you would like more information about the Diaconate Program, please contact the Office of Diaconate Formation, Diocese of Des Moines,