OTHER SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATIONS

We the Community of San Gabriel Mission have been anointed in baptism and sent forth with compassion to witness to God's loving and liberating presence.

We celebrate with joy the Gospel of life and the Sacraments which nourish and empower us with the Spirit of Christ.  (Taken from the Parish Mission Statement) 

The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase healing and mission the Christian's life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1210)

THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

The Sacrament of Baptism:

"He who is in Christ is a new creature. For him the old things have passed away; a new world has come."  2 Corinthians 5:17

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons (children) of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1213)

As a Catholic Community we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism in the Old Mission on Saturday mornings (English and Spanish) and Sunday afternoons (Vietnamese).  With joy, we welcome into our Church the new members of our parish family.  Parishioners of San Gabriel Mission can visit the Parish Office, or call 626-457-3035, for additional information on our celebrations of the sacrament, including the schedule of required classes for parents and godparents. 

The Sacrament of Confirmation:

"Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgement and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts." (St. Ambrose)

Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of bapismal grace. For "by the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed."  (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1285)

For information about our two-year program for High School students preparing for the sacrament, please visit our Parish Registration Office, or call 626-457-3040.

The Sacrament of the Eucharist:

This is the tradition of the Lord that I received and that in turn I have handed on to you: the Lord Jesus, on the night that he was delivered, took bread and, after giving thanks, broke it, saying "This is my body which is broken for you; do this in memory of me." In the same manner, taking the cup after the supper, he said, "This is the new Covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink from it, do it in memory of me."  1 Corinthians 11:23-25

Holy Communion augments our union with Christ. The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist in Holy Communion is an intimate union with Christ Jesus. Indeed, the Lord said: "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him." Life in Christ has its foundation in the Eucharistic banquet: "As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1391)

Classes for children and youth preparing for the Sacrament of the Eucharist (First Communion) begin every September.  For information on registering for classes, please call our Religious Education Office at 626-457-3041.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)

The rite of Christian initiation presented here is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and to enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God's help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, No. 1)

This beautiful faith journey welcomes into our parish community individuals who  wish to enter a process of conversion and new life in Christ. This journey, a very sacred encounter with Our Lord, prepares adults for initiation and full communion as members of the body of Christ. Through the R.C.I.A. process, we accompany as a Catholic community adults who are journeying toward the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. Together we are renewed and welcomed more fully into the life of the Church as we come to know and experience the joy and gift of our Catholic faith. 

Adults interested in participating in our Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A) are invited to call our Parish Office at 626-457-3035.

THE SACRAMENTS OF HEALING

   The Sacrament of Reconciliation:

"The father turned to his servants: 'Quick! Bring out the finest robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and kill it. We will celebrate and have a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and is found.' And the celebration began."  Luke 16:23-24

The process of conversion and repentance was described by Jesus in the parable of the prodigal son, the center of which is the merciful father: the fascination of illusory freedom, the abandonment of the father's house; the extreme misery in which the son finds himself after squandering his fortune; his deep humiliation at finding himself obliged to feed swine, and still worse, at wanting to feed on the husks the pigs ate; his reflection on all he has lost; his repentance and decision to declare himself guilty before his father; the journey back; the father's generous welcome; the father's joy - all these are characteristic of the process of conversion. The beautiful robe, the ring, and the festive banquet are symbols of new life - pure, worthy, and joyful - of anyone who returns to God and to the bosom of his family, which is the Church. Only the heart of Christ who knows the depths of his Father's love could reveal to us the abyss of his mercy in so simple and beautiful a way. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1439)

Sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church. For this reason conversion entails both God's forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. (Lumen Gentium, No. 11)

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated here at San Gabriel Mission every Saturday evening from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and at your convenience in the Parish Rectory Office by appointment. Please call 626-457-3035.

Children and youth prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation during their preparation for the Eucharist (First Communion). Please call 626-457-3041 to register. 

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick:

"If anyone is sick, let him call on the elders of the Church. They shall pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer said in faith will save the sick man; the Lord will raise him up and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven."  James 5:13-15

By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ. (Lumen Gentium, No. 11)

Like all the sacraments the Anointing of the Sick is a liturgical and communal celebration, whether it takes place in the family home, a hospital or church, for a single person or a whole group of sick persons. It is very fitting to celebrate it within the Eucharist, the memorial of the Lord's Passover. If circumstances suggest it, the celebration of the sacrament can be preceded by the sacrament of Penance and followed by the sacrament of the Eucharist. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1517)

The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated in a special communal celebration of the parish family annually during Advent and Lent. It is also celebrated regularly in homes, convalescent centers, and hospitals. Our Claretian Missionaries can be contacted in the Parish Rectory Office when the sacrament of the Anointing is desired.

THE SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION

The Sacrament of Holy Orders:

The whole Church is a priestly people. Through Baptism all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ. This participation is called the "common priesthood of the faithful." Based on this common priesthood and ordered to its service, there exists another participation in the mission of Christ: the ministry conferred by the sacrament of Holy Orders, where the task is to serve in the name and in the person of Christ the Head in the midst of the community. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1591)

Priests provide pastoral leadership in the community of faith. From the waters of baptism and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, priests and laity share a sacramental origin and a common purpose as disciples of Christ. These bonds imply a continuing relationship of collaboration and mutual respect. The competence, love, and gifts of the laity complement and support the ministry of priests. (National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Program of Priestly Formation, No. 39)

The Spirit who conforms us with Christ is the same one who calls us to follow him, who anoints us for the mission that the Father entrusts to us, and who makes us enjoy, esteem, judge and choose everything relating to Jesus and his Reign. It is the Spirit who comes to our aid in our weakness when we experience the hardships of the way. The Spirit is the "inner teacher" who leads us into all truth in our following of Christ and gives us the strength we need in order to give our life in proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom to the poor and to face the difficulties of evangelization. (Claretian Missionaries, Formation of Missionaries, No. 96)

For more information about the sacrament of Holy Orders please speak with one of our Claretian Missionaries at San Gabriel Mission or contact the Vocations Office of our Claretian Missionaries of the U.S. Western Province by E-mailing us at  cmffvoc@earthlink.net.

The Sacrament of Matrimony:

"They are no longer two, therefore, but one body." Matthew 19:6

The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1601)

The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith. For this reason the family home is rightly called "the domestic church," a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1666)

How one experiences the challenges and joys of life in the Spirit is deeply shaped by the concrete realities of one's life. The most frequently mentioned place where lay people encounter Christ is in Christian marriage and family life. We believe that Christian marriage is vocation, sacrament, covenant relationship, and mission. In the sacrament of marriage Christ is made present in a special way to spouses, family members, and the overall society. The Christian family is a sign and means of unity and solidarity in our world. (U.S. Catholic Bishops, Called and Gifted for the Third Millennium, page 3)

We celebrate the sacrament of Matrimony with great joy at San Gabriel Mission. Marriage is truly a vocation -- a very powerful and prophetic means witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus -- and a means of proclaiming and building God's Reign of love and peace here on earth.  Required preparation, including the Engaged Encounter retreat, serves to  strengthen and nourish the faith, love, and witness of engaged couples as they prepare to share the gift of their marriage with our parish family. We ask that couples from the parish schedule an appointment with one of our Claretian Missionaries at least six months prior to the desired date of the wedding. Please call 626-457-3035.