The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church

The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life:  they give birth and increase, healing and mission to 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 #1210

  • The Sacrament of Baptism

    Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua) and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.  Through baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."  - Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213


    Whether you are a parent preparing to raise your child in the Catholic faith, or perhaps an adult looking to fully join the Church, your journey begins at the Sacrament of Baptism.  More information can be found on our child Baptism programs here.   Older child and adult Baptism is within the framework of our RCIA program here.


  • The Sacrament of Reconciliation

    It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the penitent "pardon and peace." - Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1424


    Experience the limitless love and profound mercy of God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Confessions at St. Martin of Tours Parish take place on Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:45 pm.  Extended Year of Mercy confessions take place on Saturday, 5 March from 2:30 to 4:30 pm.  Appointments for confession may also be made by contacting the parish office. 


  • The Sacrament of Holy Communion

    The Eucharist is the "source and summit of the Christian life." The other sacraments, and indeed all the other ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it.  For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.   - Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324


    It is called Holy Communion, "because by this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ,  who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood to form a single body."   


    First Communion is a milestone in a young Catholic's life.  Here at St. Martin of Tours Parish, we strive to ensure that our children are well-prepared to receive the sacred gift of Holy Eucharist through a Sacramental Prep Program.  Our Sacramental Prep classes are taught by a passionate team of volunteer teachers, under the leadership of our Pastoral Assistant for Children's Ministry, Terri Nido.   


    First Communion for youth and adults takes place within the framework of the RCIA program and is the second milestone of initiation into the Catholic faith.  The warm and caring environment of RCIA provides support to grow as a Catholic and have the benefit of Catholic Church teaching.  More information is available here.

  • The Sacrament of Confirmation

    Baptism, the Eucharist, and Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation" whose unity must be safeguarded.  It must be explained to the faithful that the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of Baptismal 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, 1285


    "I wish not merely to be called Christian, but also to be Christian."

    St. Ignatius of Antioch


    Confirmation is an adult sacrament, initiating teens and older adults into the full ministry of Catholic members of the Church.  It typically takes place in the spring.  Here at St. Martin of Tours Parish, we offer Confirmation Prep programs for teens as well as for adults.  One must meet eligibility requirements in order to be accepted into the confirmation prep program.  Please call the St. Martin of Tours Parish office for more information or visit our RCIA page here.

  • The Sacrament of Matrimony

    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, 1601


    Are you recently engaged?  Are you or your fiancé a member of our parish?  Have you been thinking about celebrating your marriage here at St. Martin of Tours Parish?  We delight in celebrating the marriages of our parishioners!


    Our church is a sacred space, your parish home, the place where you will exchange your vows in the presence of God, family and friends.  Your wedding day is a holy and sacred occasion in the eyes of the Church and we treat it as such here at St. Martin of Tours.  Because of that, we take marriage preparation as seriously as the wedding itself.  Before we set a date on our calendar, we meet with the couple and make a plan for the pre-marriage preparation.  We love to work closely in this process and to assist in the planning for the ceremony.  If this sounds like your idea of marriage and St. Martin of Tours is your parish, call us and arrange a time to meet! 

  • The Sacrament of Holy Orders

    Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time; thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry.  - Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1536


    I am often asked, especially by young people, why I became a priest.  Maybe some of you would like to ask the same question.  Let me try briefly to reply.  I must begin by saying that it is impossible to explain entirely.  For it remains a mystery, even to myself.  How does one explain the ways of God? Yet, I know that, at a certain point in my life, I became convinced that Christ was saying to me what he had said to thousands before me: "Come follow me!"  There was a clear sense that what I heard in my heart was no human voice, nor was it just an idea of my own.  Christ was calling me to serve him as a priest.

    St. John Paul II


    Do you feel called to serve the Church by becoming a priest or deacon?  Know that there is help and support available to you.  Come and meet with Fr. Michael or Deacon Dave, who would be happy to share their experiences and answer your questions to the best of their ability.  To set an appointment, please contact us.

  • The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

    Christ's compassion toward the sick and his many healings of every kind of infirmity are a resplendent sign that "God has visited his people" and that the kingdom of God is close at hand.     Jesus has the power not only to heal, but also to forgive sins;  he has come to heal the whole man, soul and body; he is the physician the sick have need of.  His compassion toward those who suffer goes so far that he identifies himself with them: "I was sick and you visited me."  His preferential love for the sick has not ceased through the centuries to draw the very special attention of Christians toward all those who suffer in body and soul.  It is the source of tireless efforts to comfort them.  - Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1503


    Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament available to Catholics whose health is impaired by sickness or old age.  There is a misconception that this sacrament must be delayed until the person is actually dying, but the Church teaches that this does not have to be so.  In fact, it is ideal for the sacrament to take place while the sick person is capable of active participation.  Therefore, it is appropriate for a person to receive this sacrament at the beginning of an illness; in this way, they can be strengthened in faith and hope through the power of God's grace.


    To request sacramental anointing for yourself or a loved one, please contact the parish office via email or phone at (253) 922-7882. 


    In case of emergencies:  If you are calling after hours and are in immediate need of a priest to administer the Last Rites, please call the phone number listed above and follow the prompt to reach our emergency line. 


    For more information about Anointing of the Sick, download Anointing of the Sick: Joined to Christ, Witnesses of Hope and Healing by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.  It is also available in Spanish: Uncion del los Enfermos.