Sacraments
Sacraments are "powers that comes forth" from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church. They are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1116)
Baptism
Infants and Children under 7
Parents should plan to have newborn children baptized within the first weeks after birth (Code of Canon Law, can. 867). Please contact Deacon Jim Haaf to arrange for preparation if this is your first child baptized at St. Joseph: (573) 619-0741. To schedule a Baptism with Fr. Schrader, please contact Fr. Schrader.
Information forms to be returned to the parish office after scheduling a baptism can be found online in the Bulletins, Publications, and Forms section.
Children 7 Years of Age and Older
Canon law presumes that children who have reached the age of 7 are able to have a basic understanding of baptism and to choose it for themselves. This means that baptismal preparation for children of this age and older is more involved than in the case of infants.
When a child is baptized at age 7 or older, confirmation and first Holy Communion are also normally celebrated in the same ceremony. Ideally, this all takes place on the Saturday evening before Easter Sunday, though other dates may be possible.
If you need to arrange for the baptism of a child who is 7 or older, please contact the pastor to set up a meeting.
Adults
Adults seeking baptism in the Catholic Church are invited to inquire about our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) process.
Godparents and Christian Witnesses
Those who are baptized may have 1 godparent or 2 (1 male and 1 female). A godparent must: be at least 16 years old (the pastor may grant an exception for a just cause); be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on; not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared; not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized. (Code of Canon Law, can. 874.1).
A member of one of the Orthodox Churches may serve as a godparent together with a Catholic godparent (Directory for Ecumenism, n. 98).
A Christian of another denomination (not an ex-Catholic) may serve as a Christian witness together with a Catholic godparent (Code of Canon Law, can. 874.2).
Potential godparents who are not members of St. Joseph may be asked to provide a letter of suitability from their own parish.
Parents should plan to have newborn children baptized within the first weeks after birth (Code of Canon Law, can. 867). Please contact Deacon Jim Haaf to arrange for preparation if this is your first child baptized at St. Joseph: (573) 619-0741. To schedule a Baptism with Fr. Schrader, please contact Fr. Schrader.
Information forms to be returned to the parish office after scheduling a baptism can be found online in the Bulletins, Publications, and Forms section.
Children 7 Years of Age and Older
Canon law presumes that children who have reached the age of 7 are able to have a basic understanding of baptism and to choose it for themselves. This means that baptismal preparation for children of this age and older is more involved than in the case of infants.
When a child is baptized at age 7 or older, confirmation and first Holy Communion are also normally celebrated in the same ceremony. Ideally, this all takes place on the Saturday evening before Easter Sunday, though other dates may be possible.
If you need to arrange for the baptism of a child who is 7 or older, please contact the pastor to set up a meeting.
Adults
Adults seeking baptism in the Catholic Church are invited to inquire about our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) process.
Godparents and Christian Witnesses
Those who are baptized may have 1 godparent or 2 (1 male and 1 female). A godparent must: be at least 16 years old (the pastor may grant an exception for a just cause); be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on; not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared; not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized. (Code of Canon Law, can. 874.1).
A member of one of the Orthodox Churches may serve as a godparent together with a Catholic godparent (Directory for Ecumenism, n. 98).
A Christian of another denomination (not an ex-Catholic) may serve as a Christian witness together with a Catholic godparent (Code of Canon Law, can. 874.2).
Potential godparents who are not members of St. Joseph may be asked to provide a letter of suitability from their own parish.
Confirmation
In the Diocese of Jefferson City, the sacrament of Confirmation is normally conferred during a person’s 7th or 8th grade academic year. Adults who for whatever reason have not yet been confirmed should contact Fr. Schrader.
Confirmation preparation is offered through St. Joseph School. Confirmation for candidates not at St. Joseph School is managed by Deacon Jim Haaf.
Confirmation preparation is offered through St. Joseph School. Confirmation for candidates not at St. Joseph School is managed by Deacon Jim Haaf.
The Holy Eucharist
The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being. It is the culmination both of God's action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1325)
The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist: Basic Questions and Answers, from the US Conference of Catholic Bishop's Committee on Doctrine tells us:
The Lord Jesus, on the night before he suffered on the cross, shared one last meal with his disciples. During this meal our Savior instituted the sacrament of his Body and Blood. He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the ages and to entrust to the Church his Spouse a memorial of his death and Resurrection.
As the Gospel of Matthew relates:
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins."
(Mt 26:26-28; cf. Mk 14:22-24, Lk 22:17-20, 1 Cor 11:23-25)
Recalling these words of Jesus, the Catholic Church professes that, in the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. Jesus said: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. . . . For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink" (Jn 6:51-55). The whole Christ is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine—the glorified Christ who rose from the dead after dying for our sins. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist. This presence of Christ in the Eucharist is called "real" not to exclude other types of his presence as if they could not be understood as real (cf. Catechism, 1374). The risen Christ is present to his Church in many ways, but most especially through the sacrament of his Body and Blood.
Worship of the Eucharist at St. Joseph
The Eucharist ought to be the center of parish life. The celebration of Sunday Mass is the source and summit of all other parish activities.
In addition to Mass, St. Joseph holds a solemn procession with the Blessed Sacrament on Corpus Christi and other special occasions, as well as regular preaching and catechesis on the Eucharist.
The Blessed Sacrament is solemnly exposed and the church open for adoration each first Friday from 8:30am through 6:30am the following Saturday.
Worship of the Eucharist at St. Joseph
The Eucharist ought to be the center of parish life. The celebration of Sunday Mass is the source and summit of all other parish activities.
In addition to Mass, St. Joseph holds a solemn procession with the Blessed Sacrament on Corpus Christi and other special occasions, as well as regular preaching and catechesis on the Eucharist.
The Blessed Sacrament is solemnly exposed and the church open for adoration each first Friday from 8:30am through 6:30am the following Saturday.
Penance (Confession, Reconciliation)
If you have not been to confession in a long time or are nervous or unsure what to do, please do not be afraid! The priest is there to help you and can guide you through the process. Remember that the priest is absolutely bound never to reveal sins that you confess.
The most important thing when coming to confession is to have a desire to turn toward God and a willingness to turn away from sin by the help of God's grace. This is expressed by acknowledging at least all serious sins committed since one's last good confession and approximately how often or how many times one has committed them. The priest, exercising authority given by Christ to the Apostles and passed down through the Church, absolves your sins and reconciles you to God and the Church.
To prepare for confession, it is helpful to use a guide called an Examination of Conscience, which is a tool to help gain an awareness of one's sins.
The most important thing when coming to confession is to have a desire to turn toward God and a willingness to turn away from sin by the help of God's grace. This is expressed by acknowledging at least all serious sins committed since one's last good confession and approximately how often or how many times one has committed them. The priest, exercising authority given by Christ to the Apostles and passed down through the Church, absolves your sins and reconciles you to God and the Church.
To prepare for confession, it is helpful to use a guide called an Examination of Conscience, which is a tool to help gain an awareness of one's sins.
Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction)
Anointing of the Sick may be received by Catholics who have attained the use of reason (even if later they suffer from dementia or are unconscious) and who begin to suffer from a dangerous illness, injury, or the infirmity of old age. It may be repeated when a person recovers and falls ill again or when the same illness or injury takes a serious turn for the worse.
Only a bishop or priest may administer Anointing of the Sick. If you or someone you know is in need of this sacrament, please contact the pastor at (573) 455-2725.
Please note that hospitals and nursing homes may not notify the parish unless explicitly asked to by a patient or family member.
Last Rites
"Last Rites" is an umbrella term used to refer to the final sacraments and sacramentals that a Catholic receives before death.
The Last Rites include:
There is no need to put these important rituals off till the last moment before death. As soon as someone begins to be in danger of death, please contact the pastor at (573) 455-2725.
Grace for Spiritual and Physical Healing
The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects:
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1532)
Only a bishop or priest may administer Anointing of the Sick. If you or someone you know is in need of this sacrament, please contact the pastor at (573) 455-2725.
Please note that hospitals and nursing homes may not notify the parish unless explicitly asked to by a patient or family member.
Last Rites
"Last Rites" is an umbrella term used to refer to the final sacraments and sacramentals that a Catholic receives before death.
The Last Rites include:
- Confession
- The Apostolic Blessing (with plenary indulgence)
- Anointing of the Sick (also called Extreme Unction)
- Holy Communion as Viaticum
- The Commendation of the Dying
There is no need to put these important rituals off till the last moment before death. As soon as someone begins to be in danger of death, please contact the pastor at (573) 455-2725.
Grace for Spiritual and Physical Healing
The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects:
- the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church;
- the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;
- the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance;
- the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul;
- the preparation for passing over to eternal life.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1532)
Holy Orders
The sacrament of Orders is the sacrament whereby a man becomes a bishop, priest, or deacon. The bishop is the minister of this sacrament.
Bishops are successors of the Apostles and have the fullness of priestly power. Priests (presbyters) are co-workers of bishops and exercise true priestly authority in a lesser degree. They celebrate the sacraments, offer the sacrifice of the Mass, teach, and govern the Church in union with the bishop. Deacons are ordained for service and assist bishops and priests in works of pastoral charity.
St. Joseph is committed to promoting the value of ordained ministry and to helping boys and men discern whether God may be inviting them to consider a priestly vocation. Please contact the pastor or diocesan vocations director if you or someone you know is interested in exploring the possibility of a priestly vocation.
Please pray for holy priestly vocations from our parish!
Bishops are successors of the Apostles and have the fullness of priestly power. Priests (presbyters) are co-workers of bishops and exercise true priestly authority in a lesser degree. They celebrate the sacraments, offer the sacrifice of the Mass, teach, and govern the Church in union with the bishop. Deacons are ordained for service and assist bishops and priests in works of pastoral charity.
St. Joseph is committed to promoting the value of ordained ministry and to helping boys and men discern whether God may be inviting them to consider a priestly vocation. Please contact the pastor or diocesan vocations director if you or someone you know is interested in exploring the possibility of a priestly vocation.
Please pray for holy priestly vocations from our parish!
Matrimony
Only the pastor can confirm a requested wedding date. Please contact Fr. Schrader: [email protected] . If neither you nor your fiancee is a parishioner of St. Joseph or St. Anthony parish, if you wish to have another priest or deacon celebrate your wedding, or if you are planning to do your marriage preparation elsewhere, please let Fr. Schrader know when requesting a date. A minimum of six months' notice is required.
For those who will be doing their preparation with Fr. Schrader for a wedding celebrated by him, a date cannot be confirmed until after the initial meeting with him.
The marriage preparation process involves several components:
For those who will be doing their preparation with Fr. Schrader for a wedding celebrated by him, a date cannot be confirmed until after the initial meeting with him.
The marriage preparation process involves several components:
- initial meeting with the pastor
- online Prepare & Enrich assessment
- BELOVED series
- A retreat experience, such as Engaged Encounter or Pre-Cana
- Natural Family Planning introductory session
- follow-up meeting with the pastor