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| St. Mary of the
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 527 Beall Avenue P.O. Box 109 Wooster, Ohio 44691 |
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How do I register as a member/parishioner? If you and/or another member of your household are/is already Roman Catholic, but new to our parish or area, we would love to have the opportunity to welcome you as a parishioner. This happens best when a person comes in to the church office, speaks with our secretary, is led through a fairly simple registration process, and has the occasion to meet and sit down with one of our pastoral staff members. This way, any immediate personal questions you may have can be addressed. Contact the church office (see phone numbers above) to schedule an appointment today.
How do I find out more about becoming Catholic? If you are a Christian of another tradition (e.g., Methodist) or have never been baptized, St. Mary - as all Catholic parishes would - offers a process by which individuals considering the possibility of becoming Catholic come together to share their questions and begin exploring the teachings of our Faith. It is most desirable that the conversation begin by sitting down with a member of our pastoral staff. You are welcome to contact us through the church office.
What is a deacon? As an ordained clergyman in the Church, a deacon assists the parish in various ministries. He prepares people for reception of sacraments. He can baptize, witness marriages, and provide funeral rites. Most often, the deacon assists the priest at the altar. A deacon, not preparing himself to be a priest, can be married.
What is a pastoral minister? A pastoral minister is a lay person who has received specific training to assist the parish in a variety of ways. The minister’s assistance depends upon the person’s interests, strengths, and the parish’s needs.
Can a non-Catholic receive Communion? The celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of our oneness in faith, life, and worship. Catholics hold strong beliefs about the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. A Christian of another denomination with whom we are not yet fully united in faith, life, and worship is ordinarily not admitted to Communion.
Can a divorced person receive Communion? A person who has received a civil divorce is encouraged to find strength in the practice of their faith and reception of the Eucharist. If a divorced Catholic attempts another marriage, they may not receive the Eucharist unless their first marriage was declared null.
What is an annulment? All marriages are presumed valid. A ‘Declaration of Nullity’ is given when a Catholic attempted marriage before another minister without permission, or, when it is determined that one or both persons (no matter their faith) did not fully consent to their wedding vows at the time they were exchanged. It is not a Catholic divorce. It does not affect the legitimacy of children.Can an adult receive the Sacrament of Confirmation? Any baptized Catholic who is prepared for the sacrament can be confirmed. Confirmation is required to be a godparent for another individual. It is encouraged, but not required, for marriage.
Who can be a godparent? A godparent is a male and/or female who is at least 16 years old; and a Catholic that has received Eucharist and Confirmation; and one who practices their faith regularly; a baptized Christian of another denomination may be a “witness” along with the Catholic godparent.
Can a Catholic be cremated? Although the Church recommends the customary burial, a Catholic can be cremated as long as it is not done in opposition to the Catholic faith.
Can a non-Catholic spouse
be buried in a Catholic cemetery?
There are no restrictions on baptized non-Catholics that wish to be buried
in a Catholic cemetery. Under specific circumstances, some non-Catholics
may even be given the Church’s funeral rites.
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