Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism is the first sacrament of initiation. We believe as a church that the waters of baptism wash away sin and make one a son or daughter of the living God. Most Catholics are baptized as children, and here at St. Malachy, we ask first-time parents to attend a baptismal preparation class so that they understand the promises of raising their children in the Catholic faith. These classes are held on the second Saturday of the Month in the even months (February, April, June, etc.).
For unbaptized adults, the usual process to prepare to receive baptism is attending the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA).
When deciding on Godparents, please review this WEBSITE
Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the ordinary way to receive Christ's gift of forgiveness for serious and venial sins. It is offered weekly on Tuesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. You can also call and schedule an appointment with one of the priests.
Here at St. Malachy, we prepare our second-grade children to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Home catechesis is based on a curriculum provided at a meeting for parents and children to go through together. Registration is based upon second-grade enrollment at St. Malachy School or St. Malachy Religious Education Programs with two years of catechesis.
Eucharist
The Sacrament of the Eucharist, also known as the Mass, is the cornerstone of our Christian faith. It is the most significant way we worship our God as a faith family. We believe that the bread and wine become Christ's body and blood. This sacrament is a bond that strengthens our community, hence the term Holy Communion. At St. Malachy, we greatly prepare our second-grade children for their first Holy Communion, a significant milestone in their spiritual journey.
The guidelines for receiving Holy Communion are as follows: Catholics should not be in a state of grave sin and should have fasted at least one hour before Mass. Catholics believe that celebrating the Eucharist shows the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship. Because of this, members of non-Catholic churches are ordinarily not to receive Holy Communion.
Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation, the third sacrament of initiation, is a significant milestone in our faith journey. It marks the moment when one becomes a full member of the Catholic Church. At St. Malachy, we, as a community, play a vital role in preparing our 8th graders to receive this sacrament. As an adult, the sacrament is received along with the other sacraments of initiation after the person has completed the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA).
The 2024-2025 process for Confirmation is already underway.
Questions about the Confirmation process? Contact Catherine Horvath.
Marriage
Marriage Preparation
Congratulations! You must be very excited about your wedding day, and we hope you are just as excited to prepare for your married life together. After meeting with the pastor, you will be contacted to take the FOCCUS Inventory online. This inventory helps you see if you have discussed finances, friends, leisure time, children, faith, etc., in preparation for coming together as a married couple. There are no right or wrong answers to the questions, which take about 45 minutes to answer. The cost for completing the inventory is $35.
Once you have completed the inventory, you will be paired with a sponsor couple from the parish to discuss the results. The sponsor couple can be a great help in answering any of your concerns about married life, so don’t hesitate to ask them questions. After meeting with the sponsor couple two or three times, the inventory results are given to the person presiding at your wedding.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
schedule your upcoming wedding
Annulments
According to Catholic teaching, marriage is a permanent partnership of a man and a woman (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1601). Because a marriage lasts “until death do us part,” no one can enter into a second permanent partnership while his/her first spouse is living. The spiritual bond continues even if the civil contract is dissolved through divorce. The couple remains married in the eyes of the Church.
However, the Church also recognizes legitimate reasons why a wedding may not have led to a valid marriage. If, through the annulment investigation, the Church comes to moral certitude that no valid sacramental marriage took place, then the parties are free to marry someone else. An annulment is concerned mainly with the personal and spiritual aspects of marriage. It does not “erase” the civil contract, and it does not render the children illegitimate. It merely states that after a thorough investigation, the Church has decided that a marriage, as the Church understands it, is invalid.
For further information, please contact Father Danda.
Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing. It promises forgiveness and a strengthening of one's spirit to aid them in recovering their health. If you experience an emergency, are hospitalized, or are confined to your home, please call the Church Office at 317-852-3195 to arrange for visits or to receive the sacraments. When you register at the hospital, you are encouraged to indicate that you are Catholic. If you are calling after hours for an emergency, please call the Church Office at 317-852-3195 and press 5.
Holy Orders/Vocations
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is received by a man who is ordained to serve as a deacon, priest, or bishop. Additionally, some men and women have chosen to dedicate their lives to living as religious brothers or sisters, typically in a religious community. Anyone considering a religious vocation or serving as a priest should contact our pastor, pastoral associate, or the Vocation Office of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The phone number of the vocation office is 317-236-1490.