SACRAMENTS
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BAPTISM
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"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit of the Risen Christ, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from original sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ’s Body, the Church and are made sharers in her mission, called to holy lives of prayer and service.
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The preparation for baptism at St. Ambrose consists of a 1-hour Baptismal Preparation Class, which is conducted the first Sunday of each month after the 11:00 am Mass.
PLEASE NOTE: The in-person option for Baptism Class has resumed, but we will maintain an online option as well. Please call Sarah with Adult Faith Formation at 801-485-9324 for more information. REGARDLESS OF WHICH OPTION YOU CHOOSE, you must pre-register for class. Register for either the online class or the in-person class here. Once you are registered, you will receive an e-mail within 24 hours, either with the password for the online baptism class page, or with confirmation of your in-person class registration. IMPORTANT: If nobody registers for in-person class by the Sunday prior to the class, it will be cancelled. NO DROP INS ALLOWED.
The next in-person class option will be on Sunday, December 4th after the 11:00 AM Mass in the Vaughan Center. Registration for in-person class closes on Sunday, November 27th.
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Note: Please allow two months for baptismal preparation and scheduling
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QUESTIONS ABOUT BAPTISM
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Baptism Requirements:
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Parents/Guardians are required to be a registered parishioner at St. Ambrose or have a personal connection with a registered parishioner (i.e. grandparents or selected godparents are members of the parish). Parents or guardians must have completed a Baptism preparation program within the last three (3) years. If a family is a member of another parish, a letter must be received from their own parish pastor granting permission for the baptism at St. Ambrose, indicating that they are registered and practicing members/member and have participated in that parish’s Baptism preparation class.
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Paperwork Requirements:
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Parents are asked to complete this form if they are planning to baptize their child at St. Ambrose.
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The Diocese of Salt Lake City requires parents to provide the parish with a copy of their child's birth certificate to be kept secure at the parish for purposes of sacramental recordkeeping.
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Note: Please allow two months to schedule a baptism.
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Do both parents/guardians have to be Catholic?
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No, only one parent/guardian needs to be Catholic or preparing to become Catholic. A child may be baptized as long as there is a well-founded hope they will brought up in the practice of the Catholic faith. This hope is present so long as one parent/guardian is willing to practice the Catholic Faith and share it with the child.
Not Married sacramentally (in the Church)?
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Yes. It is possible to baptize your child but, please contact the pastor to look into a possibility of validating the marriage sacramentally.
Who can be a godparent?
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Church law requires that there is at least one godparent for the child baptized. Godparents need to be active, practicing and confirmed Catholics at least 16 years of age. Godparents also must have completed a Baptism preparation program within the last three (3) years.
Non-Catholic Godparent?
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No, only a Catholic can be a godparent because they are asked to promise to help support raising the child in the Catholic faith. A non-Catholic Christian can be a "Witness" as long as there is one Catholic godparent. A non-baptized person cannot be a godparent or witness.
Proxy
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You can have a proxy stand in for the godparent(s). Please let the staff know so they can record the name of the proxy on the certificate. Only one godparent or proxy need be physically present for the baptism itself.
Private Baptism
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Father Erik prefers to celebrate baptisms outside of Mass, but arrangements can be made to have them within the context of the Mass as well.
Baptism Fee
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There is no fee for Baptism, but if you would like to make a donation to the parish, you are welcome to.
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EUCHARIST
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At about age 6/7, children can begin to prepare to receive their first Holy Communion, the body and blood of Christ. In conjunction with the diocesan guidelines, preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion is a two-year process which includes preparation for First Reconciliation and culminates in the First Communion celebration during the Easter season. Our parish school prepares children for these sacraments in the midst of the standard curriculum.
Classes are offered for children attending other schools on Sunday mornings. Please contact Ruth Lowe, at 385-446-6581 or dresaintambrose@gmail.com
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Take a tour of the sacristy with Fr. Erik!
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CONFIRMATION
"BE SEALED WITH THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT"
The Sacrament of Confirmation is, with Baptism and Eucharist, one of the three sacraments of initiation; confirmation completes the initiation and “confirms” the grace of baptism. Through the anointing with Sacred Chrism the baptized person is “enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit,” and more than ever “obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed” (Catechism 1285). Preparation classes for youth 13/14 and older and adults who have not been confirmed are offered every year. For youth, preparation is a two-year process, typically during 7th and 8th grades. Confirmation is typically celebrated in the spring of each year.
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Adult Confirmation (for those 18 years of age and older) typically takes place at the Cathedral of the Madeleine at the time scheduled by the Diocesan Office of Worship.
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CONFESSION
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The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred by a particular sacrament called the “sacrament of conversion, confession, penance, or reconciliation”. The Catechism of the Catholic Church continues its teaching by stating, “The whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God’s grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship.” Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament. For those who receive [it] with contrite heart and religious disposition, confession is "usually followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation." (#1468)
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The Sacrament of Confession is celebrated on Wednesdays from 3:00-5:00 pm and Saturdays from 3:00-4:40 pm in the Chapel. You may also make an appointment with the priest outside of this time.
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Additional times for the Sacrament of Confession are added two times a year in preparation for Christmas and Easter. Please note: If you are in the state of serious sin, the Church asks that you meet with a priest for individual confession, absolution and spiritual support.
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ANOINTING OF THE SICK
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The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick gives strength and support and can be administered to anyone struggling with an illness.
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Who may Receive?
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In the Catholic Church, Extreme Unction or the Last Rites is the anointing at the time of death. Since the Second Vatican Council, this sacrament is now called the Anointing of the Sick and has been broadened to offer healing and comfort in times of illness that may not lead to immediate death. Speaking about a wider implementation of this sacrament, Pope Paul VI advocated for “a wider availability of the sacrament and to extend it—within reasonable limits—even beyond cases of mortal illness."
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Unlike the traditional understanding of the Last Rites, the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is, ideally, to be administered in a communal celebration.
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that when the sick are anointed they should be "assisted by their pastor and the whole ecclesial community, which is invited to surround the sick in a special way through their prayers and fraternal attention" (1516). "Like all the sacraments the Anointing of the Sick is a liturgical and communal celebration…It is very fitting to celebrate it within the Eucharist" (1517).
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Spiritual Healing
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The healing that occurs in this sacrament of anointing is not necessarily physical healing. While we believe that physical healing can occur through the great power of God, the grace that is infused through this special sacrament is the reminder of the eternal presence of God in our human suffering.
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When the priest blesses the oil of anointing, he asks God to "send the power of your Holy Spirit, the Consoler, into this precious oil. Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it; heal them in body, in soul and in spirit, and deliver them from every affliction" (Pastoral Care of the Sick, #123).
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"The celebration of the Anointing of the Sick consists essentially in the anointing of the forehead and hands of the sick person (in the Roman Rite) or of other parts of the body (in the Eastern rite), the anointing being accompanied by the liturgical prayer of the celebrant asking for the special grace of this sacrament" (CCC 1531).
"He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two…They anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them." -- Mark 6:7, 13
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MARRIAGE/SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
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The Church looks on marriage as a “covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life” (Catechism 1601). In the Sacrament of Matrimony, the married couple become, in their unity and in their love for one another, “an efficacious sign of Christ’s presence” (Catechism 1613).
How does one get married at St. Ambrose?
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We want to support and assist you in the best way possible at St. Ambrose as you embark on this very important commitment in your lives. This section is intended to answer a few of the questions which are most likely on your mind as you prepare for your wedding. It may also help you to raise some questions which haven’t yet occurred to you, but will be important for you to consider as you make plans for your wedding.
Who can be married at St. Ambrose?
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Normally, those who are registered parishioners of our parish. The Catholic Church has a long tradition of celebrating the sacraments within one’s own community of faith.
Who is able to officiate at weddings?
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The pastor or the parish deacons normally officiate at parish weddings. But permission can be given for a priest or deacon outside of St. Ambrose to officiate. And, as indicated above, if you belong to another parish, your pastor or priest friend will be the appropriate person to approach in this matter.
Are people who are not of the Catholic faith able to be married at our parish?
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They are, if they are marrying a Catholic.
Are people who have been married before able to be married in the Catholic Church?
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Generally speaking, the answer to this question is no. This is because the Catholic Church regards marriage as a permanent commitment. However, because there are exceptions and extenuating circumstances, you would be well advised to discuss it as soon as possible with the parish priest or deacon to assess the canonical validity of your previous marriage.
Is some sort of preparation needed for couples wishing to be married?
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Yes. Since marriage in the Catholic Church is a sacrament and a lifetime commitment, one of the ways we value and honor it is by taking time to help couples prepare. All parishioners begin this process by completing a comprehensive Pre-Nuptial questionnaire, followed by some classes with members of the marriage preparation team. As a part of preparation, couples are also required to participate in an Engaged Encounter Weekend and Natural Family Planning to be arranged with the Office of Family Life in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Couples who are not parishioners deal directly in this matter with the priest or deacon who will officiate at their wedding.
When may weddings take place at St. Ambrose?
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Weddings can be scheduled on Saturdays before 3:00 PM. Other days of the week can also be chosen if desired. Weddings are never celebrated on Sundays. Also, the Church discourages celebration of weddings during the season of Lent because of Lent’s penitential character.
Do Catholic weddings always take place during Mass?
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No. Weddings can be celebrated either during the celebration of Mass or during a Liturgy of the Word. Normally, weddings are celebrated during Mass only when both parties are of the Catholic faith.
Does St. Ambrose have policies regarding the content of the wedding service, the music to be used, etc?
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Yes. The content of the service is set forth in the Church’s official Ritual Book for weddings. However, the couple being married is encouraged to engage in helping to plan the wedding service by choosing the Scripture readings that will be used during the ceremony. The couple also arranges the music with the music director of the parish. There are certain other options for the service too, which will be explained to the couple during the preparation time. We are working on putting together a Wedding Selection Form to be used as you begin planning.
How does a parishioner arrange to get a wedding on the parish calendar?
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If you are a regular and practicing parishioner of St. Ambrose, you may begin scheduling a wedding by calling the parish office up to 12 months (and no less than 4 months) before your desired wedding date. You will be able to schedule an initial appointment with the Pastor, who will talk about the preparation process you need to go through in order to help you approach this Sacrament in a thoughtful and responsible way.
How does someone who is not a St. Ambrose parishioner arrange to get a wedding on the calendar?
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It is necessary first of all for you to have a priest or deacon who is able to preside at your wedding. Normally, of course, this would be a priest or deacon from your own parish. It could also be a priest or a deacon who is a relative or a close friend. Once you have identified the priest or deacon to preside at your wedding, the parish will work with you to find an agreeable date for your wedding. This date will remain tentative until the priest or deacon has requested and received permission for the marriage from his Bishop (if he resides outside the diocese) and the Pastor.
Who provides music for weddings at St. Ambrose?
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Normally our parish musicians do, but exceptions can be made. Please contact Chris Huntzinger, the St. Ambrose Music Director, for more information.
What if a parishioner is planning to be married at another Catholic Church?
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St. Ambrose will provide all the support necessary to help you prepare for your wedding in a parish other than St. Ambrose. More time (six months or more) is needed for preparation and documentation necessary for weddings outside of the Diocese of Salt Lake City.​
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FUNERALS
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Planning a funeral is the last gift you can give your loved one, but it can be confusing and stressful. This outline will guide you through the process, and make it as easy as possible. You must meet with the pastor before the funeral to discuss final plans.
If you choose to have a Vigil/Rosary, it is usually held the night before the funeral. The appropriate readings for the vigil are usually chosen by the priest. If a family member is to give a eulogy, it must be done at the vigil, at committal (at the cemetery), or during a subsequent family gathering, such as a luncheon.
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For the Funeral Mass, you may choose:
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preferred vestment color for the priest (white, black, or purple)
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one Old Testament reading
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one New Testament reading
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four hymns
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Click here for approved funeral readings from the USCCB.
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When you are ready, please fill out this form to provide your reading and music choices to the parish and mail it to:
St. Ambrose Parish
ATTN: Bereavement
2315 Redondo Ave
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Or drop it through the Vaughan Center mail slot.
Any Catholic in good standing may read the Old and New Testament readings. A practicing Christian may also do the readings if approved by the pastor. The Gospel is always read by a deacon or priest.
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PLEASE BE ADVISED: The current eulogy policy at St. Ambrose is that eulogies are to take place outside of the funeral liturgy. (The liturgy concludes with the final commendation and recessional hymn.) This applies to funeral Masses celebrated by guest priests as well. Other, appropriate times to have a eulogy for the deceased could be during a vigil/viewing prior to the funeral Mass, graveside at committal, or afterwards, during a funeral luncheon.
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There is a standard fee for the musicians of $100.00 each. You may also make a donation to the celebrating priest if you would like, but it is not required for the pastor.
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