In the Catholic Church, we celebrate seven sacraments. They are not seven isolated events with no link to each other or to Christ and His Church. In effect, they are various aspects of the one Paschal or Easter mystery—His dying and rising out of love for each of us. In their own unique way, each sacrament prolongs in time and space the Mystery of His passion, death and resurrection—His supreme act of salvific love for us. In and through the sacraments, Christ Himself is rendered present to us.

There are three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. There are two sacraments of healing: Penance and Anointing of the Sick. Finally, there are two sacraments that are linked to specific vocations: Holy Orders and Matrimony.

The parish is the unique place where preparation and celebration of the sacraments take place. In addition to instruction in the faith, the sacramental life rests at the heart of the parish ministry.