The liturgical life of the Catholic Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments.
There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.
Worship is integral to our lives as Christians. When we engage in the prayer and ritual of the Church, we are formed as Church.
For all questions regarding any of our Sacraments, please contact the appropriate parish office: St. Monica -(414) 332-1576. St. Eugene -(414) 918-1100
IF YOU HAVE A PASTORAL OR SACRAMENTAL EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL (414) 332-1576 AND PRESS 9.
BAPTISM
Preparation for Baptism is an exciting time for parents and sponsors. You are bringing your child into the Church! From this moment on, your child will always have a Catholic family that will support them in times of need, provide them with spiritual nourishment and always be present to them.
In the case of an emergency( called “danger of death” ) please call the parish office immediately and a priest or deacon can come to the hospital for an emergency baptism. There is a Rite of Reception that can be done later in the church for the ceremonial aspect, since the actual baptism can only happen once.
Every parent desiring Baptism for their child is required to attend a Baptism preparation class. Please contact Deacon Bob Larkin with questions at blarkin@stme.church.
REQUEST A BAPTISM AT ST. MONICA HERE
REQUEST A BAPTISM AT ST. EUGENE HERE
RECONCILATION
Reconciliation for Children: A program to prepare children for the sacrament of Reconciliation is offered each Fall. The Archdiocese norm for the reception of this sacrament is 2nd grade. Parents of all second grade students enrolled in the Day School and Sunday school programs are notified in September with details of these options.
Reconciliation for Adults: Every Saturday morning at 8:30am, at St. Eugene at 3:30pm, as well as designated times during Advent and Lent for Communal Penance Services. An appointment for Reconciliation can also be made with one of our wonderful priests by calling the parish office.
EUCHARIST
First Communion is received in 2nd grade for children or through the RCIA programs for adults.
For First Communion contact Jeanette Lambrecht at jlambrecht@stme.church.
For RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) contact Deacon Michael Courchaine at mcourchaine@stme.church.
Homebound parishioners who would like to receive communion may have a relative pick up a pyx and booklet of prayers from the priest or pastoral associate in the sacristy before Mass. Please contact the parish office for assistance.
CONFIRMATION
Teens in 11th grade begin sacramental preparation in the fall to be confirmed in the spring. The purpose of this year is to prepare teens for their own “vow,” of sorts. During the year, teens are asking questions, struggling through those questions, being given avenues to answer those questions, and hopefully, discovering what it really means to be a confirmed CATHOLIC.
What is Confirmation? Confirmation increases and deepens all of the graces granted at Baptism. The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists five effects of Confirmation:
it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation [as sons of God] which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!";
it unites us more firmly to Christ;
it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.
For questions about our Confirmation program, please contact Joyce Swietlik at jswietlik@stme.church.
MARRIAGE
"We believe in the sanctity of marriage according to Mark 10:6-9, “But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”
A wedding is one of the most important days in a person’s life, and we want to make your wedding at St. Eugene or at St. Monica as wonderful as possible.
Our parishes utilize the FOCCUS program to prepare couples for marriage. This program helps couples enhance their relationship by discussing important topics, including communication, problem-solving, faith, dual careers, parenting, intimacy, finances, and more.
Please contact the church at least six months prior to your wedding date so you can adequately schedule your preparation.
HOLY ORDERS
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is necessary for the life of the Church. We need good men to step up and serve the Bride of Christ, the Church, as priests and permanent deacons.
Find more information about the process of becoming a priest here. You can also contact any of the priests or deacons at our parishes, or the Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Fr. John LoCoco, at vocationoffice@sfs.edu.
For more information on becoming a deacon (open to married men) here.
If you are a woman discerning religious life (not technically the sacrament of Holy Orders), you contact the archdiocesan Vocation Promoter, Fr. John Burns at jburns@sfs.edu.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
“When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.” ~United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
Anointing of the Sick may also be received by those undergoing invasive medical procedures. For both planned or emergency needs for Anointing of the Sick, contact the parish office.
FUNERALS
The Funeral Ministry offers compassion and assistance to bereaved families at their request by:
Offering visitation assistance;
Offering suggestions for the order of service; and
Offering help and guidance through a grief recovery support group for family members seeking understanding about the grief process
If you are planning the funeral of a family member or loved one here at St. Monica, please contact the parish office for assistance.