The Seven Sacraments

The Sacrament of Baptism is the beginning of a lifetime journey of commitment and discipleship. God calls us through the Christian community to live the Gospel and to be a follower of Christ. God's invitation and our response to his call are ritualized and made "real" for us in the Sacrament of Baptism. When we celebrate Baptism we celebrate the outpouring of God's Spirit and our acceptance of God's transforming love. Baptism celebrates a family's and a community's experience of that love. 

Baptisms at St. Mary Magdalen are celebrated twice a month for infants and children under the age of seven years old. Arrangements can be made by calling Erin Wolfe in the parish office. 810.229.8624 ext. 176​

BAPTISM OF INFANTS SCHEDULE

BAPTISM FAQ

Adults and children seven and older see Becoming Catholic

Confirmation is the second of the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism being the first and Communion the third). Confirmation is regarded as the perfection of Baptism, because when the baptized person is confirmed, they are "more perfectly bound" to the Church. They are enriched with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and strengthened as witnesses of Christ enabling them to live the faith more fully.

The Form of the Sacrament:
The Minister of the Sacrament is the bishop. The Church has always stressed the connection of confirmation, through the bishop, to the ministry of the apostles. Each bishop is a successor to the apostles, upon whom the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost - the first Confirmation. The Acts of the Apostles mentions the apostles imparting the Holy Spirit to believers by the laying on of hands which signifies the descent of the Holy Spirit. The bishop "lays hands" on those being confirmed. Just as the priest extends his hands over the bread and wine during the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass, calling down the Holy Spirit to transform the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, and to transform us, so to the bishop calls down the Holy Spirit to transform the persons being confirmed. The anointing with chrism (an aromatic oil that has been consecrated by a bishop), accompanied by the words "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit" is a consecration, representing the safeguarding by the Holy Spirit of the graces conferred on the person at Baptism.

The Sacrament of Confirmation roots us more deeply as children of God, unites us more firmly to Christ and increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us. It also renders our bond with the Church more perfectly by strengthing us to live the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ.​

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord, and courage.

The Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Weekend Mass Times:

Saturday: 4:30 pm
Sunday:    9:00 am and 11:00 am

Daily Mass Times:

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 am
Wednesday: 7:00 pm.

The Eucharist is the center, the very heart of the Catholic Church. In the Liturgy of the Eucharist Catholics celebrate the passover mystery; the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We receive the gift of Christ in His Word and in the Sacrament of His Body and His Blood and we take Him to the world.

Children's Liturgy of the Word: Sundays at 11:00am liturgy
This program is designed to give young children an experience of the Sunday readings at a level they can understand. Here's how it works:
1. Children who wish to participate in CLW will be called forward by Fr. Paul after the opening of Mass. They will receive a blessing from Fr. Paul.
2. A Catechist will guide the children to the Day Chapel where they will hear the Sunday readings and discuss them at an age-appropriate level.
3. At the start of the offering/preparation of gifts, children will be escorted back to the Worship Space where they will return to sit with their parents.

Who can participate? CLW is intended for children from 4 years to First Communion. CLW is entirely optional and left to each parent's discretion.

The SACRAMENT of PENANCE /RECONCILIATION/CONFESSION

is celebrated on Saturday from 3:00 - 4:15pm. Mass on Saturday is at 4:30pm

In the Sacrament of Penance we come not only to receive the gift of forgiveness but the peace the risen Lord imparts to us.

Penance is the Sacrament in which forgiveness of sins is granted through the priest's absolution to those who: 1. are sorry for their sins 2. confess their sins and 3. promise to do penance. The Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance, has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. In it we find God's unconditional forgiveness, and as a result we are called to forgive others. 

CONFESSION: We confess our sins. 
PENANCE: We receive a penance to help us to change, to heal and to grow. 
SORROW / CONTRITION: We pray a prayer that expresses our sorrow for our sin (Act of Contrition). 
ABSOLUTION: We receive forgiveness of our sins through absolution. 

View the PENANCE BOOKLET to help prepare for the Sacrament

The Sacrament of the Sick is celebrated by appointment or you may attend the Mass of Anointing celebrated on the last Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm in the Chapel.​

Those who receive the Sacrament should have a medical condition of serious illness or injury or simply old age.

"He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two.... They anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them" (see Mark 6:7-13). After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Church continued to be a sacrament of healing: "Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven" (James 5: 14-15). 

The Sacrament of Marriage has an important place in the life of both the Church and the parish. The Sacrament of Marriage is a vocation, a call that God extends to a man and a woman to love each other unconditionally. Even more, Sacramental Marriage is symbolic, a reflection of the great marriage between Christ and His bride, the Church. This understanding of marriage makes a wedding more than just a ceremony; it is a love story that is meant to last a lifetime. Further, it reflects the love that God has for each of us. For Catholics, a wedding is a very important celebration. It celebrates our own deep and intimate love for Christ, our spouse, and it reminds all of us of our vocation to love as God loves.

CLICK HERE FOR MARRIAGE PREP INFORMATION

CLICK HERE FOR MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT RESOURCES
 

Holy Orders is a single sacrament with three separate orders within it.

Bishops possess the fullness of Holy Orders and are empowered to oversee a diocese and to celebrate the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Orders. Bishops are appointed directly by the Pope. The Bishop of our Diocese (pictured on the right) is Bishop Earl Boyea. He was appointed to the Diocese of Lansing by Pope Benedict XVI on February 27, 2008.

Priests are ordained to celebrate all of the sacraments except Holy Orders. Priests serve in a variety of ministries, but most often serve as pastors of parish churches. 
 

 Thinking ABOUT  PRIESthood?

Deacons come in two varieties: Permanent Deacons, who are mature men who are ordained to diaconal service but will not later be ordained priests, and Transitional Deacons, who are ordained as deacons to serve in the year before their ordination to the priesthood. Deacons can baptize, preach the homily at Mass, witness marriages, and celebrate funeral services. Permanent Deacons can be married.

Thinking ABOUT DiACOnate?

If you are interested in finding out more about either of these two ministries, we'd love to chat with you! Please contact Fr. Paul or one of the Permanent Deacons to learn more.