Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated in our parish on the First and Third Sundays of each month at 1:30 pm.

Before or after the birth of your first child, but prior to their baptism, parents are required to attend an evening of instruction. These Baptism Preparation sessions are given monthly in the rectory but you are asked to first register.

Parents are invited to contact the Rectory for information. We will assist you in  scheduling your child’s baptism and registering for the baptism preparation program.

Holy Communion

If you are an adult Roman Catholic who has not yet received Holy Communion, please check out Order of Christian Initiation of Adults for more information.

Children are invited to take part in  our First Communion program which consists of two years of preparation. Parents take part in this program in a more serious way as this is such an important time in the formation of their children’s faith lives.Please see our Religious Education page for more information.

Eucharistic Adoration is offered in the Church every Monday and Wednesday from 12:30 pm to 8 pm excluding holidays.

Confirmation

Adults seeking Confirmation are also invited to take part in our OCIA Program.

Confirmation of Young Adults is arranged through the Religious Education Program
Confirmation is received during 8th Grade, after seven years of religious education. Confirmation is now a sacrament of maturity. The sacrament is call to commit oneself to the mission of the Church — to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To do this, the candidate must know said the teachings of Christ and have the emotional and intellectual ability to make a commitment to the work of Christ and His Church. Parents of those to be confirmed attend scheduled meetings to take an active part in this formation.

Marriage

Marriage Preparation

The Church recognizes the sacredness of married life. As a Sacrament, lived by a couple, it is an occasion of God’s grace in our midst. In order to help engaged couples prepare for their sacramental vocation, the Church requires them to participate in a formal process of marriage preparation. For couples who seek to celebrate their wedding ceremony at Notre Dame, marriage preparation consists of three steps.

Step I The Interview

Couples are asked to call the rectory to arrange an appointment with a priest or deacon. This appointment is best scheduled a year before the proposed wedding date. During this interview, priest or deacon will complete the required pre-nuptial interview form, provide for the engaged couple a list of required papers (e.g. new baptismal certificates), and explain the options available to the couple.

Step II: Pre Cana

Couples are required by the Diocese of Rockville Centre to complete a Marriage Preparation (Pre Cana) Program prior to marriage. Couples may complete this requirement in a variety of ways. Options will be explained to couples during the initial interview (Step I).

Diocesan programs
The Diocese of Rockville Centre offers a variety of marriage preparation programs to accommodate busy schedules. These options will be explained at the initial interview (Step I). Couples must register for Diocesan programs with the Diocese of Rockville Centre Family Life Office found at DRVC.org.

Confession

Saturdays:   3:45 – 4:45 pm

Confession is also available following daily Masses or by appointment. Please call the rectory to make arrangements

Reference Guide for receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Children in the 2nd grade are eligible for the sacrament of Reconciliation several months prior to their reception of First Communion. The parents of children preparing for confession attend the parent educator session for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Anointing of the Sick

Anyone who has a family member who is seriously ill is invited to notify the Rectory so that a priest may visit the ill family member and bring Sacraments of the Eucharist, Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick to the ailing family member. These Sacraments are for the strengthening and consolation of the ill person and, sometimes, the healing of the physical illness as well as the healing of the spirit of the person.  If someone is seriously ill, please do not delay in making the call to the rectory.

When should a person receive the anointing of the sick?
The Church now invites those who have a serious  illness to present themselves for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Those who are elderly and are in danger of injury or sickness which compromises their health are also invited.
However, the Sacrament need not be repeated for the same illness, unless that illness becomes much worse.

Holy Orders

When we hear “Vocation”, we usually think of someone becoming a priest, sister, deacon or brother. These are certainly worthy and wonderful vocations. All of us though, have a vocation to be God’s followers. We can do that as a husband, wife, single person, doctor, teacher, senior citizen or child. God’s call is sometimes mysterious! It also comes over a period of time. If we truly enjoy something, that’s a good sign that we might be suited to following God in that direction. God gives us gifts and talents to be put to use for the good of all.

We are concerned with the declining number of Vocations to religious life. God is calling people. People simply are not responding. Smaller families can influence children to get married and have grandchildren. Society seems to value great wealth without commitment. Neither of those values lead to fulfillment and happiness.

Look around! If there is someone around you, in Church, your family, etc. who you would trust to serve you as a priest, sister, brother or deacon … let them know! Most priests were encouraged to become priests by family members and friends. Write a note. Tell those around you how honored you would be if one of your children, grandchildren or friends followed God’s call to a Church Vocation.

Pray! Pray for sisters, deacons, brothers and priests.

St. Therese Prayer Society for Vocations
As a member you commit yourself to praying in a special way for vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life. No dues, no meetings, only the promise of your prayers. To become a member, please contact the vocation office at 631-424-9888.

Links to explore Vocations

Vocation Office Diocese of Rockville Centre

U.S. Catholic Bishops Vocations and Priestly Formation

Vocations Online

Frequently Asked Vocations Questions