There is an ancient Latin phrase that reads “Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi.”
This more or less translates to “how one prays is how one believes.” At Trinity
we desire to reflect our faith in the way that we pray together; we desire to
pray together in a manner befitting our Roman Catholic faith; we hope
that in our liturgies, and in the celebration of our sacraments, we do these
things well! Please come and join us as we journey in faith together.
The Church
teaches us that we must go to confession “at least once a year.” This is
known as “the Easter duty” because it is traditionally done sometime after the
beginning of Lent and before the end of the Easter season. This is
especially relevant for those who have committed “serious sins.” It is
spiritually beneficial to go to confession on a more regular and frequent basis.
We have confessions at Most Holy Trinity -- St. Mary every Saturday, or anytime by
appointment. Come and be reconciled to God and the community!
Diocesan
rules dictate that a newly engaged couple planning to be married must contact
their parish at least six months in advance, and before a date is set. In
order to do this, the couple must contact the parish office in order to make an
appointment with one of the priests.
The
schedule of stipends, times and dates available, and other pertinent information
will be discussed during the couple's first appointment with the priest.
Couples
married outside of the Church, who now wish to have their marriages “blessed”
(technically called a “convalidation”), are invited contact one of the priests in
order to begin the process.
Baptisms
for babies and very young children normally take place during the last
weekend of every
month. Parents must register for the baptism before the first Sunday of
the month in which the child is to be baptized. Please contact the parish
office in order to make an appointment to register.
The parents of the child,
ideally registered members of our parish, must be practicing Catholics. Godparents must bring a letter from their parish stating that they
too are practicing Catholics and are qualified to serve in this important role.
There are two classes
the parents must attend before the baptism; these are held on the second and
third Sunday of the month. The Godparents must attend the class on the
second Sunday.
School
aged children who wish to be baptized must be enrolled in the parish's
Religious Education program.
Adults who wish to be baptized must enroll in the Rite of Christian
Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.). This is a process that usually
begins in the month of September and culminates at the Great Easter Vigil with
Baptism, reception of the Eucharist and Confirmation. Those participating
in the R.C.I.A. are guided and gradually introduced to the Roman Catholic way of
life.
Please consult the Religious Education Office
for more information.
Parishioners
are asked to call the parish office when a family member is seriously ill and in
need of Anointing. The parish occasionally offers this Sacrament during
special Masses.
Parishioners
are asked to notify the parish office when a family member is unable to come to
church because of a serious illness or advanced age. Our parish Pastoral
Visitors who are Ministers
of Holy Communion take the Eucharist to the sick on a regular basis.
If you are
confined to your home, please call us. We would be very happy to make
arrangements for someone to visit you and bring you Jesus in the Eucharist!
Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even
if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never
die.”(NAB)
The Mass of
Christian Burial is not a sacrament, but it celebrates the Christian life of the
one who has died; it gives the family of the deceased, and the faith community,
an opportunity to come together for consolation and to
pray for the one who has died.
Arrangements for a funeral Mass are usually done by the funeral home to which
the family has taken their loved one who has died.
Please consult the Religious Education Office
for information about First Communions, Confirmations and the R.C.I.A.
(Christian Initiation of Adults).
