Sacraments

The Seven Sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church—Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Reconciliation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick—are the life of the Catholic Church. Each sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace. When we participate in them worthily, each provides us with graces—with the life of God in our soul. In worship, we give to God that which we owe Him; in the sacraments, He gives us the graces necessary to live a truly human life.

Baptisms

Baptism is the welcoming of a new member into the Catholic faith community through the anointing with blessed and consecrated oil, the pouring or immersion in water, and baptizing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Baptisms are usually celebrated by an ordained priest, but in emergency situations any person can baptize. 

Baptisms can be scheduled with the parish office. Meeting with the Director of Evangelization is a pre-requisite, please contact the office for more information. Thank you! 

Reconciliation

 The sacrament of Reconciliation celebrates God’s forgiveness in our life through the individual's reception of the sacrament from a priest. The person confesses their sins, receives and completes a penance, and is forgiven through the prayer of absolution. Children of the Catholic Faith celebrate the sacrament of First Reconciliation around the age of seven and the preparation for the sacrament is provided in our parish by a two year sacramental preparation program, found both in  our religious education program and at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School.
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The sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated regularly at St. Francis Xavier.  Confessions are offered:
  • ​Tuesday evenings following 5:30pm Mass
  • Friday mornings  following 8:30am Mass
  • Saturdays from 4pm to 5pm Mass
  • Call the parish office to set up an appointment

Holy Communion

Holy Communion is receiving the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist that is consecrated at Mass by the priest. Holy Communion is received in the Body of Christ, the consecrated host and/or the Blood of Christ, the consecrated wine. Most Catholics receive their first Holy Communion around the age of seven or during the second grade. The religious education program at St. Francis Xavier Parish and the religious education classes at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School prepare the youth to receive their First Holy Communion and are part of the requirement for youth to receive their First Holy Communion. Before receiving their First Communion, children are required to have celebrated their First Reconciliation.

​Communion can be brought to homebound or hospitalized parishioners. Please call the parish office if you or someone you know is unable to attend Sunday Mass.

Confirmation

Confirmation is the celebration of the individual being sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit as they make the choice to continue practicing their Catholic faith as an adult in the Catholic Church. The individual is anointed with the Holy Chrism at the Confirmation Mass that is usually celebrated by the diocesan bishop. Confirmation is usually celebrated for students in the ninth grade with preparation taking place in the parish religious education program. Catholic adults who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation may contact the parish office to be part of a preparation program to also receive the sacrament at the parish RCIA celebration. Confirmation is scheduled each spring, and will take place this year on May 6, 2020.

Matrimony

The Sacrament of Marriage celebrates the union of a man and a woman as they are joined together as husband and wife. The Salina Diocese requires engaged couples to contact their parish priest at least six months in advance of the anticipated wedding date. All wedding dates for St. Xavier Catholic Church must be arranged with the priest. Couples preparing for marriage complete the diocesan marriage forms, complete the marriage preparation program which usually includes completing a marriage inventory, attending an Engaged Encounter, meeting with the parish priest for instructions and planning of the wedding ceremony. The couple must also obtain a Kansas Marriage License from their local county courthouse before the wedding may be witnessed. Check out the booklet below for a more thorough planning tool!

Anointing of the Sick

The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is offered to individuals seeking God’s healing graces through the anointing with the blessed Oil of the Sick. Anyone who is facing a change in their health condition such as surgery, ongoing treatment, or in risk of death, may receive the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. In the parish, an individual may contact the priest to set up a time to celebrate the sacrament. 

Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the ordination of Catholic men to serve as deacons and priests in the Catholic faith. We continue to pray for all vocations in the Catholic church, but especially that more young people will answer the call to serve in religious life. If you are thinking about a religious vocation contact our parish priest to discuss God’s call and to seek further information.