Sacraments

Instituted by Christ, the sacraments are signs of grace that are guaranteed by Christ to give the graces signified.  They are entrusted to the Church and give us a share in the life of God through the work of the Holy Spirit. 

"There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life."  -- the Catechism of the Catholic Church #1210

The celebration of the sacraments at Ascension manifest our mission to love God, love others and make disciples.

If you have any questions about the sacraments at Ascension, feel free to email any of our priests or call the parish office at 636-532-3304.

Baptism

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

It all starts with Baptism. Whether infant or adult, Baptism marks your entry into the Catholic Church. We look forward to welcoming you or your child into the family of God.

Infant Baptisms are celebrated at 1:15 p.m. on Sundays. Parents are required to attend a Baptismal preparation session, which is offered on the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. Baptisms must be scheduled at least three weeks in advance.

Click here to fill out the baptismal form online.

Click here to download and print the form. Please return complete forms to the Parish Office M-F 8:30am-4:30pm.

You can also call the Parish Office to schedule the baptism: 636-532-3304

Adults are welcomed into the Church through Baptism upon completion of their preparation which generally is through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). RCIA consists of sessions beginning in September, culminating in the administration of Baptism at the Easter vigil.

Holy Communion

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:26-28

Catholics are unique among Christians in believing exactly what Jesus told us in the Bible: The Eucharist is not just a symbol. It is the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, able to be consumed by us under the appearance of bread and wine. This is the source and summit of our faith, one of the greatest blessings of being Catholic.

First Holy Communion for children is administered in the spring of each year after Easter, generally to those in second grade. Preparation is conducted through the Parish School of Religion (PSR)or the parish elementary school.

First Holy Communion for adults is generally administered at the Easter vigil along with Baptism and Confirmation for those who have completed the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA).

At Ascension parish, everyone of every faith – or no faith at all – is welcome to attend Mass. At Communion, those who have not made their First Holy Communion in the Catholic Church, or are not in a state of grace, are invited to process to the priest for a blessing. Simply indicate you wish to receive the priest’s blessing by folding your arms across your chest, with your hands at your shoulders.  The United States Council of Catholic Bishops provide further guidelines for the reception of Holy Communion.

The precepts of the Church require Catholics who have made their First Holy Communion to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation, and to receive Holy Communion once a year. In fact, we believe that receiving Jesus in the Eucharist is so essential to maintaining closeness with Him, the Church allows the faithful to receive Communion up to twice a day! Ascension makes it easy to receive Communion regularly through the many Masses we celebrate.

Confirmation

"Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit". Acts of the Apostles 8:14-17

Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, but that spirit was not to remain only with Christ. Through Confirmation, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are communicated to all the faithful. As the third sacrament of initiation, Confirmation completes the graces begun with Baptism and Holy Communion. “For ‘by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285)

Confirmation for youth is administered in the springtime of a child’s 8th grade year typically at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (New Cathedral) by the St. Louis archbishop or an auxiliary bishop. Confirmation preparation begins in the fall of the child’s 8th grade year.

Confirmation for adults is generally administered at the Easter vigil along with Baptism and Holy Communion for those who have completed the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).

Reconciliation

"And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.'" John 20:22-23

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a unique gift of the Catholic faith, as directed by Jesus Christ in the Gospel of John. It enables us to be forgiven for our sins and reunited with God through a priest acting in persona Christi (in the person of Christ).

The precepts of the Church call for Catholics to confess their sins at least once a year. Frequent reception of this sacrament is essential to enriching one’s spiritual growth and relationship with Christ.

First Confession for children is administered in December of each year, generally to those in second grade. Preparation is conducted through the Parish School of Religion (PSR) or the parish elementary school.

First Confession for adults is generally administered prior to the Easter Vigil along for those who have completed the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).

Initiation into the Sacrament may be offered at other times depending on individual circumstances. Contact the Parish Office for information.

For ongoing, regular reception of the sacrament, Ascension offers many opportunities:
Weekdays: 7:30 – 7:50 a.m. in the Main Church
Saturdays: 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. in the Main Church
Anytime: Contact the Parish Office at 636-532-3304.

Also, make sure to check out our Guide to Confession.

Anointing of the Sick

"Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord."  James 5:14

Christ gave us his Church to nurture and accompany his followers in good times and bad. The Bible offers numerous stories of comfort and grace being offered through anointing, and the sacrament was cherished among Christians from the earliest times. Today, the Anointing of the Sick can be administered each time a Christian becomes seriously ill, and even again if the illness worsens. A priest or bishop can administer the sacrament using oil blessed by the bishop.

If you are in need of this sacrament, please call the Parish Office ASAP: 636-532-3304

Holy Matrimony

"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body." Genesis 2:24

Holy Matrimony is another of the great joys we have the privilege of bestowing at Ascension. We want to give your marriage a solid foundation with God at the center.  In a sacramental marriage, husband and wife represent Jesus Christ and His Church.  They are to love each other in a way that reflects and makes present to the world, the love of Jesus Christ for His Church, and His Church for Him.

Our marriage preparation program is not to prepare you for a day, but rather to prepare you for the rest of your life. To allow enough time for preparation and scheduling, please contact the Parish Office, or a priest directly, at least six months in advance of your intended wedding date. 

Marriage Preparation Program

The program consists of the following general steps:

1. Meet with one of our priests or deacons.  At this meeting, you share some basic and important information, then set up a schedule for the remaining steps.
2. Marriage Preparation Inventory.  You are asked many questions through an online inventory about your relationship to help you find your strengths and weaknesses.  The results are discussed in multiple meetings afterward with a priest or deacon.
3. Marriage Preparation Course.  In addition to the inventory, the Archdiocese offers a weekend course or weekend retreat to help develop skills and virtues needed for marriage.  The course can be taken with a mentor couple through multiple sessions and a one day retreat instead of the other two options.
4. Natural Family Planning Introduction Course.  Natural Family Planning (NFP) is not only effective for planning your family it is also highly effective in overcoming obstacles that compromise your ability to become parents.
5. Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).  Sin is an obstacle to the reception of God's grace which is needed for a healthy and strong marriage.  Catholics seeking marriage should go to Confession first, so that the graces of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony can be well received.
6. Planning the Ceremony.  The priest or deacon will provide you with a binder that contains the possible readings, songs, and other options for your wedding.  Please also see the video below to learn what happens at a Catholic wedding.
7. Marriage License.  Within 30 days of the wedding date, and more than a week before the wedding, obtain your marriage license from the state of Missouri. 

Holy Orders

"As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:18-19

The sacrament of Holy Orders has been passed down from Christ, to the apostles, through the ages to the deacons, priests and bishops of today.

Deacons – The permanent diaconate offers an opportunity for single and married men to respond to Christ’s calling to serve in ministry. Ascension is blessed with three permanent deacons: C. Frank Chauvin, Robert Keeney and John Marino. In St. Louis, permanent deacons receive the sacrament of Holy Orders after completing a five-year program. 

Transitional deacons are deacons who are transitioning into the priesthood.  Typically, young men studying for the priesthood are ordained transitional deacons about one year before their ordination to the priesthood.  These deacons spend their final year both in the seminary and serving in a parish.

Deacons play an important role in assisting the priests and the parish. They may assist at Mass, administer the sacrament of Baptism, witness and bless marriages, officiate at funerals and burial services, minister at the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and preside at Communion liturgies where a priest is not present.

Priesthood – When you think of church, you take for granted someone is there to minister and lead the flock. But have you ever thought about where priests come from? Did you ever think of asking a young man you know – perhaps a family member, friend, or even your son – if he would consider asking God about His plan for his future vocation?

Our archdiocese is blessed to have a seminary right here in St. Louis – Kenrick-Glennon Seminary – for the formation of parish priests. The sacrament of Holy Orders to ordain men to the priesthood is generally administered each year on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend at 10 am at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (New Cathedral). All are invited and encouraged to attend this holy and beautiful celebration.

Service in a parish is one form of priestly vocation. Many orders of priests also exist and serve the Lord in different ways – through education, missionary work, prayerful contemplation and other forms of service.

Bishops – The Apostles ordained men to succeed them as leaders of the Church called bishops.  Bishops serve as leaders of dioceses and archdioceses. Consecration to the “episcopate” (the body of bishops and archbishops) “confers the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders.” (CCC 1557)

This consecration bestows “together with the office of sanctifying, also the offices of teaching and ruling. In fact, by the imposition of hands and through the words of the consecration, the grace of the Holy Spirit is given, and a sacred character is impressed in such wise that bishops, in an eminent and visible manner, take the place of Christ himself, teacher, shepherd, and priest, and act as his representative.” (CCC 1558) 

Several times per year, our priests offer gatherings for young men interested in learning about the priesthood called St. Andrew Dinners. These events can be found on the parish calendar.  If you have any questions about vocations our priests would love to hear from you. Contact the Parish Office or stop a priest after Mass at any time.  You can also visit the website for the Office of Vocations for the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Meet with a Priest

Our priests are available to meet by appointment. Perhaps you would like to have an appointment for confession, for questions about preparing for a sacrament such as marriage, for some guidance and counsel about your spiritual growth, for questions about the teachings of the Church, or for many other reasons. You can contact us here.