Sacraments
Baptism
Baptism is the sacrament of salvation: an encounter with God that cleanses us from sin and makes us true children of God, sharing in his very own divine life and becoming members of his Church.
Baptism of Infants and Children (under age 7)
Baptism, the gateway sacrament, is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation. The other two are Confirmation and Holy Communion (Eucharist). In this diocese, children typically receive the other Sacraments of Initiation after reaching age 7 and before age 16.
At Holy Trinity Parish, Baptisms are usually celebrated on the fourth Sunday of the month six times a year. There are pre-baptismal formation classes offered for parents and godparents. Please call the Pastoral Center at (530) 677-3234 to register for these sessions.
Godparents
It is an ancient custom and also a requirement of Church law that each new Christian have at least one sponsor, traditionally called a godparent, who “together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations” of this new life (Code of Canon Law, 872).
Church law and our diocese provide guidelines for the qualifications to serve as a godparent. The reason for these requirements is to ensure that the new Christian will have the support they need from their sponsor who will promise to pray for them and help them as they prepare for other sacraments and seek to live out their baptism throughout their lifetime.
Baptism of Adults (and children age 7 and up)
Following the spread of Christianity in the first few generations after the resurrection of Jesus, the Catholic Church developed a process to prepare adults for entry into the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion (Eucharist). Today, the Church calls this process the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults or OCIA. Through this process, those who express interest in becoming Catholic are welcomed into a special community within the parish to learn about the teachings of Jesus and his Church, to have their questions answered, learn about the new life in Christ offered by baptism, and prepare for the reception of the Sacraments.
Please contact us to get started! Nothing more than an interest in learning more about Catholicism is needed to begin. There is no pressure, only welcome and support as you freely journey towards union with Christ and his Church.
Children who have reached age 7 and have not yet been baptized are considered “adults” with consideration for the reception of sacraments. This is because - at age 7 - they are able to take personal responsibility for their sins and are able to make a profession of faith on their own. A special preparation process (OCIA Adapted for Children) is provided for them.
Sacraments after baptism
Sacraments are intended to signify how we live our entire lives.
Therefore, the formation for celebration of the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation is a developmental process that includes formation at home, in the classroom and within our entire parish community – because in faith a child does not stand alone.
This formation process includes:
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ongoing reflections and discussions at home of the lived faith of the family;
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active and regular participation in a faith formation process generally at least two school years before the sacrament is celebrated;
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weekly celebration of Mass by the family;
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faithful attendance by children and parents in parish-wide sacramental formation sessions.
The sacramental experience continues to be nurtured through ongoing faith formation following the celebration, deepening the reality of that which has been celebrated.
First penance & eucharist
Children, with their parents, prepare for these two sacraments at the same time. Those children who plan to celebrate these sacraments in the second grade should be actively participating in a faith formation process in first and second grades. Parents will be involved in the child’s classroom during some of the faith formation sessions.
For more information or to register for these sacraments, please contact the Faith Formation Ministry at 530.677.3234 or FFM@holytrinityparish.org.
Confirmation
Candidates will celebrate this sacrament in the fall following completion of the formation process. All dates will be announced in the Summer following registration and again at Confirmation Orientation in Fall. In addition to the general sacrament expectations above, Confirmation formation includes:
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Service to our local and/or global communities (service projects) and our parish community (ministry hours)
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Fired Up! Diocesan Confirmation conference
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Confirmation retreat (if you do not attend our parish retreat, a makeup Confirmation retreat within the Diocese of Sacramento is required)
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Formation sessions focusing on the elements of Confirmation for candidates, parents, and sponsors
For more information about our confirmation options or to register for confirmation, please email confirmation@holytrinityparish.org. The Faith Formation Ministry (FFM) office is located in the Education Center by the flagpole. For more information, please call the FFM team at 530-677-3234 (then “option 5”).
Confirmation candidates are expected to be active in parish ministry in Year 2 (8th grade) with a minimum of 10 hours by May 31.
Ministry is service within the parish and usually, the candidate serves independently of the parent; however, some ministries, like the Greeters Ministry, require parent participation as well.
Ministries for confirmation purposes include:
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Altar Server Ministry
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Music Ministry (singing in the Children’s Choir and Youth Band at Sunday Mass)
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Liturgical Ministry (serving at the Tuesday Mass as altar servers, lectors, cantors, choir, greeters, or sound tech crew)
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Ministries in which youth can serve with their parents/guardians (for example, Donut Ministry and Greeter Ministry)
Service Project
Service Projects are usually serving outside the parish in the greater local community and a parent and/or sponsor must participate with the candidate.
Confirmation candidates in Year 2 are expected to complete two Service Project by May 31 of their second year.
High School Confirmation
If your child is of high school age and has not yet been confirmed, we offer a sacrament formation group that meets once a month throughout the year. Please call the Faith Formation Ministry at 530.677.3234 for more information.
Confirmation for Adults
If you are an adult who has not been confirmed, please contact the Faith Formation office at 530.677.3234.
Penance
The Sacrament of Penance is offered each Saturday in the Church from 4:30-5:15 PM. Confessions may also be made by appointment; please call the parish office at 530.677.3234.
Marriage
Our Diocese calls for a minimum of six months of preparation prior to the wedding celebration. Please call the parish office at 530.677.3234 or email at holytrinty@holytrinityparish.org.
Anointing of the sick
Anointing of the Sick can be received when someone is suffering from a major illness or disease, will undergo a serious operation, or whose health is frail due to advanced age. Please call the parish office at 530.677.3234.