Sacraments

Anointing of the Sick
St. Gabriel Parish offers the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick on a quarterly basis in a communal format to provide healing, comfort and strength to those who are dealing with significant health or age-related issues. During this sacrament, the priest and community uses a symbolic "laying on of hands" as a biblical sign of Jesus' touch and the outpouring of the Spirit of strength, love and forgiveness. The priest also anoints the forehead and hands of the ill person with The Oil of the Infirmed. In addition, parish priests are available to anoint the sick on an individual basis when needed. For further information on the Anointing of the Sick click here or to arrange an anointing please call the parish office (440)352-8282

Baptism
Baptism is the first of the three sacraments of initiation, during which the priest or deacon immerses or pours water over the recipient conferring sanctifying grace over sin. At St. Gabriel Parish, our parish community rejoices in welcoming a newly baptized member of our family into our Christian community and baptisms may be celebrated during liturgies or during a family ceremony.  Baptism classes are offered for parents to help them gain an understanding of the sacrament of Baptism. The theology of Baptism, signs and symbols, and a walk through the Rite is covered. Parents are required to attend this class before their child is baptized. For further information or to arrange for a Baptism click here.

Confirmation
Confirmation is a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit like that of Pentecost. This outpouring impresses upon the soul an indelible character and produces a growth in the grace of Baptism. Confirmation roots us more deeply in divine kinship, binds us more firmly to Christ and to the Church, and reinvigorates the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our soul. Young people who are in the ninth grade or older, and who have received the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist are invited to participate in the process in the fall each year. Preparation involves catechesis and instruction in faith led by a team of parishioners. To learn more about this sacrament and/or the preparation process click here. 

Reconciliation (Confession)
The sacrament of Reconciliation celebrates the forgiveness of our sins and reconciles us with God and the Church.  For further information, Examination of Conscience resources, or a how-to guide on to go to Confession, click here. 

Eucharist
In receiving the Eucharist for the first time, we receive the "source and summit of Christian life" and are united with Christ's sacrifice on the cross, a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to our Father.  Recalling these words of Jesus, the Catholic Church professes that, in the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. Jesus said: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. . . . For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink" (Jn 6:51-55). The whole Christ is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine—the glorified Christ who rose from the dead after dying for our sins. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist. This presence of Christ in the Eucharist is called "real" not to exclude other types of his presence as if they could not be understood as real (cf. Catechism, no. 1374). The risen Christ is present to his Church in many ways, but most especially through the sacrament of his Body and Blood, (www.USCCB.org). For further information please click here.

Marriage 
The sacrament of Marriage is a holy covenant whereby the couple is joined on their life's journey by Jesus Christ who promises to bless, sustain, and rejoice in their union. At St. Gabriel, we rejoice in the vocation of marriage and offer our guidance and encouragement to support the couple. We ask married couples to register with the parish at minimum of six months prior to the anticipated wedding date so that adequate preparation can be offered in the form of individual meetings with our priests or deacons, ceremony preparation and PreCana attendance. No wedding dates can be given or guaranteed until a couple meets with a priest or deacon. For more information please click here.

Becoming Catholic
Over and over again, God invites his people to a new way of living, to a change of heart.  Adults seeking to respond to the promptings of God's Spirit participate in a process of conversion called the RCIA, The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This journey of faith leads the inquirer toward a lifelong commitment as a disciple of Christ, and if he/she so chooses, becomes a member of the Catholic Church. To inquire or join the RCIA please click here.

Holy Orders & Religious Life 
Christian life is about loving and serving as Jesus taught and did.  While some are called to serve God and the Christian community in the sacrament of marriage, other are called to serve as priests, deacons, nuns, religious, and pastoral ministers. Please click here for further information or assistance in vocational discernment.