Prayer and Sacraments
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments." (# 1113). At Saint Boniface, Sunday Mass is truly the center of our community and prayer life where we gather to pray, worship, and give thanks to God. Other sacraments and rites mark the important stages of our spiritual life from our rebirth in baptism as adopted sons and daughters of God to the Church's burial rites in which our bodies and souls are entrusted to the mercy of God. As the Church's sacraments provide sacramental grace, it is necessary to prepare our souls by prayer and repentance for these divine encounters of God's mercy and love.
In most cases, a period of preparation is necessary before receiving a sacrament. Sacramental preparation is a process of catechesis (teaching), prayer, and formation leading up to a person's reception of the sacrament. The time and content of preparation depends on the age, background, and circumstances of the individual being prepared, as well as the particular sacrament being received. Preparation ensures readiness to receive.
In most cases, a period of preparation is necessary before receiving a sacrament. Sacramental preparation is a process of catechesis (teaching), prayer, and formation leading up to a person's reception of the sacrament. The time and content of preparation depends on the age, background, and circumstances of the individual being prepared, as well as the particular sacrament being received. Preparation ensures readiness to receive.
Sunday Liturgy
The spiritual life of Saint Boniface is largely centered around our weekly celebration of the Sunday Eucharist. Mass is celebrated Sundays at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM. Confessions are heard between Sunday Masses from 10:15 AM to 10:45 AM. On most holy days of obligation, Mass is offered at 12:00 Noon (but check the bulletin to be sure). Mass is a time of reverence and quiet as the congregation enters into worship. Confessions are heard in the north-east confessional, which is on the right side and closest to the front as you face the altar. Confession requires being Catholic.
Christian Initiation of Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process of instruction, prayer, and conversion for those seeking to enter the Catholic Church. Typically, this program begins in early Fall and ends in late Spring. This program usually culminates with the individuals entering the Catholic Church by receiving the sacraments of initiation during the Easter Vigil Mass. The unbaptized (catechumens) receive all three sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and first communion. Those who are already validly baptized (candidates), complete their sacraments of initiation with a profession of faith, confirmation, and first communion. These candidates also make their first confession before completing their sacraments of initiation. The exact process of the program depends on the background, discernment, and readiness of the individuals. RCIA is only for adults (past age 18). Also, RCIA is only for Non-Catholics seeking to become Catholic. RCIA is not for Catholics who are missing sacraments of initiation.
Those Catholics missing the sacraments of first confession, first communion, and/or confirmation require a period of catechesis to prepare them to receive the sacraments they are missing. Although this time of catechesis may occur with the RCIA class, Catholics are not in RCIA. A connection with the parish where the person attends Mass is required for RCIA, as this parish will be their home parish after they enter the Catholic Church. Therefore, those seeking RCIA at Saint Boniface will attend our Sunday Masses. The same applies to those Catholics missing some sacraments of initiation. The priest at Saint Boniface prepares adults for RCIA and those Catholics missing some sacraments of initiation. However, this process varies at Saint Boniface, since our parish does not have a yearly religious education program where RCIA is offered every year. Instead, RCIA at Saint Boniface functions as an individual or small group model, depending on the amount of participants to form a class. This same model also applies for Catholics who are missing some sacraments of initiation. Contact the priest if you are seeking RCIA or missing some sacraments.
For Non-Catholic children past the age of reason (age 7) and under age 18, who have not received the sacraments of initiation, they attend the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) for their preparation process. The RCIC program coincides with the RCIA program, so both children and adults enter the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil Mass. Parishes without an RCIC program usually require these children to attend at least a year of parish religious education (CCD) for their sacramental preparation. Saint Boniface does not have a RCIC program and a formal religious education program (CCD) for children, so parents seeking these programs should consult a parish where these programs are available.
Those Catholics missing the sacraments of first confession, first communion, and/or confirmation require a period of catechesis to prepare them to receive the sacraments they are missing. Although this time of catechesis may occur with the RCIA class, Catholics are not in RCIA. A connection with the parish where the person attends Mass is required for RCIA, as this parish will be their home parish after they enter the Catholic Church. Therefore, those seeking RCIA at Saint Boniface will attend our Sunday Masses. The same applies to those Catholics missing some sacraments of initiation. The priest at Saint Boniface prepares adults for RCIA and those Catholics missing some sacraments of initiation. However, this process varies at Saint Boniface, since our parish does not have a yearly religious education program where RCIA is offered every year. Instead, RCIA at Saint Boniface functions as an individual or small group model, depending on the amount of participants to form a class. This same model also applies for Catholics who are missing some sacraments of initiation. Contact the priest if you are seeking RCIA or missing some sacraments.
For Non-Catholic children past the age of reason (age 7) and under age 18, who have not received the sacraments of initiation, they attend the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) for their preparation process. The RCIC program coincides with the RCIA program, so both children and adults enter the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil Mass. Parishes without an RCIC program usually require these children to attend at least a year of parish religious education (CCD) for their sacramental preparation. Saint Boniface does not have a RCIC program and a formal religious education program (CCD) for children, so parents seeking these programs should consult a parish where these programs are available.
Baptism of Children
Parishioners seeking baptism for their infants or children under the age of reason (age 7) need to schedule a baptism preparation class with the priest of Saint Boniface. The parents have the obligation of raising their children in the Catholic faith, so they must be practicing the faith. As baptism frees the child from original sin and gives a share in the divine life (state of grace), the Catholic Church has always encouraged parents to bring their children for baptism soon after birth. Baptisms at Saint Boniface usually take place after the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass. At least one parent must be a fully initiated and practicing Catholic. Two Catholic godparents (godfather and godmother) are preferred, but one fully initiated and practicing Catholic is required. Please visit our Connect page or contact the parish office for more information about the baptism of children.
Sacramental Preparation of Children
Due to its small parish size, downtown location, and limited number of resources, Saint Boniface does not have a formal religious education program for children (CCD or "Sunday School"). It also does not have a Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) program. This situation results in a sacramental preparation program on a case-by-case basis for parishioners with children needing the sacraments of initiation (baptism, first communion, confirmation) as well as first confession. All sacraments require a period of catechesis (instruction in the faith) before reception. The particular plan of catechesis for their children will require great cooperation from the parents, as well as their participation in the sacramental life at Saint Boniface. Those parents who are seeking a formal and weekly religious education program (CCD) or RCIC program for their children should consult a parish where these particular programs are available. Parents attending Saint Boniface who seek to complete their children's sacramental preparation should contact the parish office or visit our Connect page for more information about our program for these sacraments.
In the Archdiocese of Louisville, for children baptized Catholic as infants, they usually make their first confession and first communion during second grade. Then, later, they receive the sacrament of confirmation during eighth grade. For Catholic children who have missed any of these sacraments of initiation, their parents need to arrange for their reception of these sacraments. For Non-Catholic children past the age of reason (age 7) and under the age of 18, they must receive their sacraments of initiation upon entrance into the Catholic Church. This process is called RCIC - the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children. This is a separate program tailored to those children seeking to enter the Catholic Church.
In the Archdiocese of Louisville, for children baptized Catholic as infants, they usually make their first confession and first communion during second grade. Then, later, they receive the sacrament of confirmation during eighth grade. For Catholic children who have missed any of these sacraments of initiation, their parents need to arrange for their reception of these sacraments. For Non-Catholic children past the age of reason (age 7) and under the age of 18, they must receive their sacraments of initiation upon entrance into the Catholic Church. This process is called RCIC - the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children. This is a separate program tailored to those children seeking to enter the Catholic Church.
Marriage and Vocations
Saint Boniface is a traditional location for celebrating the sacrament of marriage. Marriage is a beautiful vocation between a man and woman. The sacrament of marriage requires at least six months of marriage preparation, with some programs ranging from nine months to a year. Couples who marry at Saint Boniface receive marriage preparation at their home parish by the priest or deacon who will preside at their wedding. The clergy at Saint Boniface only prepare their own parishioners for marriage. For more information, please visit our Weddings page or contact the parish office.
Marriage is only one vocation in the Catholic Church. Christ also calls others to lay single life, religious consecration, and holy orders. The vocations to religious consecration and holy orders are wonderful calls to prayer and service. These calls also require greater discernment. If you have questions about religious consecration or holy orders, please speak to a priest or contact the Archdiocese of Louisville Vocation Office.
Marriage is only one vocation in the Catholic Church. Christ also calls others to lay single life, religious consecration, and holy orders. The vocations to religious consecration and holy orders are wonderful calls to prayer and service. These calls also require greater discernment. If you have questions about religious consecration or holy orders, please speak to a priest or contact the Archdiocese of Louisville Vocation Office.
Pastoral Care of the Sick
Parishioners with serious illness or disease, struggling with the infirmity of old age, or undergoing serious surgery, should seek the sacrament of anointing of the sick from the parish priest. The anointing of the sick is for Catholics in a state of grace and full communion who desire this sacrament of healing to help them in their serious health struggles. Anointing of the sick is also occasionally offered to a group of parishioners after Mass. Anointing of the sick can also be received as part of last rites for those who are dying, along with confession (forgiveness of sins), the apostolic pardon (plenary indulgence), and viaticum (final holy communion). If a parishioner is near death, please arrange for the priest to come immediately for last rites. Do not wait until the very end - it might be too late. Parishioners should call the parish office or visit our Connect page to schedule anointing of the sick for healing or last rites for the dying. For urgent last rites, email the priest on this site under "Clergy and Staff."
Saint Boniface does not have the personnel or resources to provide routine or weekly holy communion to those who are homebound, in nursing homes, or in hospitals. The priest will bring holy communion in conjunction with anointing of the sick or as viaticum for the dying.
Saint Boniface does not have the personnel or resources to provide routine or weekly holy communion to those who are homebound, in nursing homes, or in hospitals. The priest will bring holy communion in conjunction with anointing of the sick or as viaticum for the dying.
Christian Burial
Parishioners should contact the parish for funeral arrangements upon a Catholic death in the family. Catholic funeral arrangements vary in selection and need. Typically, a funeral home coordinates its funeral arrangements with the family and the parish, which may include a service at the funeral home, a Funeral Mass at the parish, and the burial rite at the cemetery. The wishes of the deceased, the preferences of the family, and the availability of the priest guide the funeral arrangement process. Saint Boniface does not allow on-site visitation within the church building. Also, Saint Boniface does not allow eulogies during the Funeral Mass. The Catholic Church teaches that cremated remains (cremains) must be buried or entombed. So, the burial rite will always be a part of Catholic funeral rites. The priest and staff at Saint Boniface will assist parishioners in preparing a funeral for your loved one. Please call the parish office or visit our Connect page for more information about making funeral arrangements.
