What are sacraments?Sacraments are sacred events, in which we enter more fully into the mysteries of our Catholic faith. They are community events, which remind us of the role of the community in our faith life. (Catholic Australia, 2016) We are a community of faith, and we journey together to God. The sacraments use things that are part of life to remind us that God is present in our life. (Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide, 2015)
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Importance of Sacraments |
The sacramental life of the Catholic community is meant to affirm the presence of God in our ordinary everyday situation. The sacraments provide the support that we need to live out our faith commitment. The sacraments, gifts of Christ’s love and forgiveness, are offered to us through the Church. When the Church - the community of believers - celebrates a sacrament, Christ himself is present in the celebration (Archdiocese of Perth Western Australia, 2001).
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Sacraments of Initation |
The Sacraments of Initiation, are the sacraments through which we become united with, and enter more deeply into, the life of Jesus Christ in the community of the Church. In Baptism, we are welcomed into the Church community (Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide, 2015). In Confirmation, our belonging to the Church community is affirmed, and we have a place in the life and work of the Church for the Reign of God in the world. Initiation into the community of the Church means initiation into the vision and mission of Jesus Christ for the Reign of God in the world. (Catholic Australia, 2016)
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