Maternity B. V. M. Church at 9220 Old Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19115 US - Sacraments - Policies and Procedures

Baptism is the first step leading to full membership in the church. The Sacrament of Baptism is administered each Sunday at 1:30 PM in the Upper Church. Please make arrangements to meet with one of the parish priest at least two weeks prior to the Baptism. Arrangements may be made for a visiting priest to baptize.

Pre-Jordan Program

Since parents are seen as their child’s primary teachers, the Pre-Jordan Program seeks to offer parents both the support of the community and an opportunity for reassessing their own faith and responsibilities. Prior to their child’s baptism, parents are required to attend a session which includes a review of the history and theology of the sacrament of Baptism; so they will be the best of teachers. Godparents are also encouraged to attend. These gatherings are held in the rectory meeting room on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

Godparents

A candidate for Baptism must have at least one sponsor, or Godparent. Sponsors and parents present the infant for Baptism. The role of the sponsor is to help the baptized person to lead a Christian life and to fulfill the obligations connected with it. This is done especially by example. The Church has established the following requirements for sponsors (Godparents):

1. The Godparent cannot be the mother or father of the one to be baptized.

2. The Godparent must be at least sixteen, be a Catholic who has been confirmed, and has received the Holy Eucharist.

3. There can be two Godparents, a man and a woman.

4. Non-Christians cannot be Godparents, however, a non-Catholic Christian can serve as a witness to the Baptism.

Letter of Eligibility:

Sponsors from parishes other than Maternity B.V.M. are requested to present a certificate of eligibility issued by their parish. Otherwise, sponsor must be a registered parishioner of Maternity B.V.M. Parish.

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

R.C.I.A. is a process and method by which people become members of the Catholic Church. It is a gradual process designed to provide a richer and fuller faith and God experience for the participants. With God’s help, the participants are strengthened spiritually, and the process culminates with the reception of the initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Anyone who wishes to become a member of the Catholic Church or any baptized Catholic who has not received the sacraments of First Eucharist or Confirmation is invited to contact the rectory. Also any parishioner who would like to be a member of the R.C.I.A. team is asked to call the rectory for further information.

Holy Eucharist/First Penance

Children of the parish, including those who are enrolled in the third grade of the parish school, the C.C.D. Program of religious instruction, and private Catholic Academies receive the sacraments of Penance and First Eucharist in the Spring of each year.  Prior to receiving a sacrament, children in the C.C.D. program must be in the program two years or come from a Catholic School or another C.C.D. Program.  Any person wishing to receive their first communion, please contact the Rectory

Reconciliation (Confession):

Confessions are heard every Saturday in the Lower Church from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on the eve of First Friday (Thursday) at 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Confirmation:

Confirmation Children of the parish, including those who are enrolled in the fifth grade of the parish school and the PREP program of religious instruction, are invited to participate in a program of preparation for receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. Prior to receiving the sacrament, children in the PREP program must be in the program two years or come from a Catholic School or another PREP Program. Students from private Catholic Academies, and students in grades 6 through 12 who have not as yet been confirmed, please contact the school. Adults wishing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation will need to be involved in the R.C.I.A. program. Please contact the rectory.

Sponsors for Confirmation

Qualifications to be a sponsor at Confirmation are the same as for those of a Catholic Godparent at Baptism (see section under Baptism). Candidates for Confirmation choose a sponsor other than a parent.

Letter of Eligibility:

Sponsors from parishes other than Maternity B.V.M. are requested to present a certificate of eligibility issued by their parish. Otherwise, sponsor must be a registered parishioner of Maternity B.V.M. Parish.

Matrimony

Couples planning to marry in Maternity B.V.M. Church should notify one of the parish priests as early as possible, and no less than six months prior to the desired wedding date so that appropriate assistance in marriage preparation may be provided at the initial interview. At the initial interview, the date and time requested will be confirmed, and a copy of Parish Wedding Guidelines will be provided.

Pre-Cana Instructions

Each couple is required to attend a Pre-Cana Program of Marriage Preparation. Our parish offers a Pre-Cana Session in the Fall and Spring, usually October and March. The program consists of a full Saturday session held in the Parish Hall ending with attendance at the 4:30 p.m. Mass. By offering presentations in Communications, Conflict Resolutions, Finances, Intimacy and the importance of the Sacrament of Marriage, we are hopeful that our young B.V.M. couples will develop marriages that are stable, loving and permanent. Registration forms can be obtained at the rectory; space is limited. The Archdiocese conducts regional programs. Another option is participation in an “Engaged Encounter” weekend. For more information, contact the rectory or the Archdiocesan Family Life Office at (610) 660-9002.

Wedding Schedule

Weddings are normally scheduled on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon or 2:00 p.m. either in the Main Church or Old Church. Please be sure to arrange a date and time with the Priest before making any commitment for your Reception. Visiting priests are welcome but you must still contact one of the parish priest.

Anointing of the Sick/Visitation of the Sick:

This sacrament is not only for those who are at the point of death, but for anyone who is seriously ill. This sacrament offers the healing grace of God to the infirmed and the aged, forgive sin and make known the prayerful solicitude of the entire Body of Chist for those afflicted by illness or ailment.  Please contact the Rectory to have a parish priest visit the sick to celebrate the Sacraments with them.  Prior to your entrance to the hospital for surgery or a procedure, please call the Rectory to arrange to be anointed at one of the Sunday or Weekday Masses.  

Visitation of Local Nursing Homes

Chapel Manor, Ashton Hall, Paul’s Run and Parke Ridge are visited once a month by a parish priest and weekly by Eucharistic Ministers.

Visitation of the Sick

Please notify the rectory if you, or anyone in your family, have been hospitalized or confined at home due to sickness, infirmity or age so that they may be visited. Our homebound are visited once a month by a priest and weekly by a Eucharistic Minister. While a parishioner is in a hospital, to assure a patient’s quick access to the sacraments, the hospital should be notified that the patient is a Catholic and would like to see a priest. Each hospital is attended by priests of a local parish unless there is a chaplain assigned to the hospital. Also notify the rectory to have the person remembered in the prayers of the parish by adding the name to the sick list published in the weekly church bulletin.

Christian Burial

At the time of a death in the family, please call the rectory for the prayers and support of the parish community. The Funeral Director assists in the preparations for the Funeral Mass working together with the priests and the parish staff. Whenever possible, a member of the parish staff will work with the family to prepare the funeral liturgy. The family of the deceased is given the opportunity to participate in preparing the Funeral Mass by choosing readings, lectors, hymns and other aspects of the funeral rites. Funerals are normally celebrated in the parish church of the deceased. However, any member of the faithful, or those responsible for the deceased person’s funeral, may choose another church; this requires the consent of the pastor of that church and notification to the pastor of the deceased’s parish.

Cremation

The Church permits cremation provided that it is not chosen as a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body. The Church prefers that the funeral liturgy take place in the presence of the body of the deceased prior to its cremation. However, permission can granted, on a case-by-case basis, for the cremains to be brought into church for the funeral liturgy. It is required that cremated remains be buried or entombed in a cemetery or mausoleum. A Catholic cemetery is considered a sacred place, and supports our belief in the resurrection of the body and the communion of saints. It is only by way of exception, therefore, that Catholics are buried in an non-sectarian cemetery.

Memorial Fund

Donations may be made in memory of family, friends, or neighbors. Funds will be used to purchase Church articles, vestments, etc. as needed. Call the rectory.