Sacraments
There are three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church: Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation.
Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism is the external sign of spiritual birth and entrance into the Christian community.
Parents who request baptism for their children assume the responsibility of raising their children in the practice of the faith. It is by their parents’ example and participation in a community of faith that children learn to develop a relationship with God and to understand the presence of Christ in the ordinary events of their lives.
Baptisms are held on the last Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m. To arrange for the baptism of an infant or child, please call the parish office at 413-584-7310. Prior registration and preparation is required.
Adults who wish to become Catholic should participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Please contact the parish office at 413-584-7310 for more information.
Holy Eucharist
In the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, the Church gathers to celebrate and participate in Christ’s Incarnation. Receiving the Eucharist is an act of thanksgiving and an anticipation of eternal life.
Jesus said, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and ... abides in me, and I in him.” (Jn 6:51, 54, 56).
The Eucharistic celebration always includes:
proclamation of the Word of God
thanksgiving to God the Father for all His benefits, above all the gift of His Son
consecration of bread and wine
participation in the liturgical banquet by receiving the Lord’s body and blood.
These elements constitute a single act of worship.
Children are typically eligible to receive their First Communion at the age of seven (during second grade). They also make their First Confession in preparation for their First Communion. For more information, please contact the Parish Office at 413-584-7310.
Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation completes initiation into the Church through receiving the seal of the Holy Spirit.
Confirmation is usually celebrated in ninth grade as part of our Religious Education program. Adult classes are also available. Contact our Religious Education Coordinator at 413-584-7310.
Marriage
The Sacrament of Matrimony is a sign of God’s love for Creation. By sharing in a common life and love, spouses encounter the love of Christ and are called to share that love with others.
For Catholic couples, the celebration of marriage normally occurs during the Holy Mass. Planning for a wedding is done with the priest or deacon who will preside at your wedding. This planning includes attending the diocesan marriage preparation program, obtaining sacramental documents, and selecting scripture readings, vows, prayers, and music.
To arrange a wedding, please make arrangements at least six months in advance by calling the Parish Office at 413-584-7310. This will provide sufficient time to obtain all necessary documents and to complete preparation.
To see all our guidelines for marriage preparation, please click here.
To see additional readings, click here.
Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a rite of healing. Christ invites us to experience God’s forgiveness. Reconciliation is not about judgment and condemnation, but about encountering the healing power of Jesus Christ who takes away our sins and welcomes the return of lost sheep. If you have been away from the Church, going to Reconciliation is a great way to start your return.
Reconciliation is held on:
Friday, 1:10 p.m. at the main church (after Mass)
Saturday, 3:15 p.m. at the main church (before Mass)
Extended hours for the Sacrament of Reconciliation occur during Advent and Lent. Times will be announced at Mass and published in the weekly bulletin. Reconciliation is also available by appointment.
Here are some excellent websites to help you to prepare for Reconciliation:
An in depth guide from the Knights of Columbus is Here.
A shorter guide from Divine Mercy Sunday is Here.
Healing of the Sick
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness. The purpose of Anointing of the Sick is to confer a special grace on the Christian experiencing difficulties inherent in grave illness or old age.
Individuals may request the Sacrament of Healing of the Sick at any time. Please call the Parish Office at 413-584-7310 during office hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.—3:30 p.m. A staff member will relay your request to the priest.
Holy Orders
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is a sacrament of apostolic ministry in service to the salvation of others and the communion of the Church in the role of bishops, priests, and deacons.
In addition to these offices, the Church has an ancient history of individuals who have been called to the service of God through the religious life. While the religious life does not require ordination and does not receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders, it supports the life of the Church through prayer, charity, education, and other ministries.
If you are exploring a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life, you are invited to contact one of our priests or the Diocesan Vocations Director at 413-452-0816, or through the Office of Vocations at https://www.myvocation.com/.
Funerals
Bereavement and grieving are challenging periods when the solace of others is invaluable. Our parish is here to offer support and assistance during this journey of loss. While a funeral isn't a sacrament, many are celebrated with Mass in our church or chapel. Funeral and Wake Services can also take place at funeral homes. To arrange a funeral, please reach out to Mary Ann Barnes at the parish office, 413-584-7310 x.101. For guidelines on planning a funeral, visit the following link here.
