The Sacrament of Baptism is administered each Sunday at 12:45 pm. Please make arrangements beforehand by contacting the rectory. Arrangement may be made for a visiting priest to baptize at a time that is convenient for the family and when the church is available.

Pre-Jordan Program
Since parents are seen as their child’s “first and best” teachers, the Pre-Jordan Program seeks to offer parents both the support of the community and an opportunity for reassessing their own faith and responsibilities. Parents are required to attend a session which includes a review of the history and theology of the sacrament of Baptism, reaffirms the faith of the parents and offers them the opportunity to share their faith and related concerns with other parents. Please contact the rectory to register anytime during pregnancy (or when steps are taken toward adoption).

To arrange for a Pre-Jordan session please contact Steph Twohig, SKSDRE@sksparish.org.

“Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.” ~ John 20:22-23

The power to forgive sins is a wonderful gift that God has given to priests. He first gave this gift to the apostles on the evening of the day of His Resurrection. He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive men’s sins; they are forgiven them; if you hold them bound, then they are bound.” It was at this moment that the ability to forgive sins was given to the apostles.

The sacrament of penance shows how merciful and forgiving God is. No matter how badly you have sinned against him, if you are truly sorry, he will forgive you.

This sacrament is usually first received by children in the second grade. Known as Penance, Confession, or Reconciliation, this is the sacrament of God’s healing, mercy and forgiveness.

The sacrament of reconciliation is given on Saturdays 4:00-4:45pm in the church.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion is the third of the Sacraments of Initiation. Even though we are required to receive Communion at least once per year (our Easter Duty), and the Church urges us to receive Communion frequently (even daily, if possible), it is called a sacrament of initiation because, like Baptism and Confirmation, it brings us into the fullness of our life in Christ.

In Holy Communion, we are eating the True Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, without which “you shall not have life in you” (John 6:53).

The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist is normally first received by children in the third grade, whether in the parish school or in any other neighboring school. First Holy Communion is held in the spring of each year.

Please visit our PREP Page for important forms and Confirmation Registration

Confirmation is the second of the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism being the first and Communion the third). Confirmation is regarded as the perfection of Baptism, because, as the introduction to the Rite of Confirmation states:

“…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.”

Academy Students:
Any 7th grade student in our parish attending a private school should contact the rectory.Although academy students receive their instruction at their respective schools, they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in their parish school.

Jr. and Sr. High School Students:
Any 8th through 12th grade student who wishes to be confirmed should contact the rectory.

Adults:
Any adult wishing to be confirmed should contact the rectory.

Sponsors for Confirmation:
Qualifications to be a sponsor at Confirmation are

  • Sixteen years of age or older.
  • Must have received the sacraments of Initiation, namely, Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
  • If married, that one’s marriage is recognized by the Church as valid.
  • Participate regularly in the Eucharist.
  • Candidates for Confirmation are urged to have as their sponsors one of their Baptismal Godparents.

Letters of eligibility:
Sponsors from parishes other than St. Katharine’s are requested to present a certificate of eligibility issued by their parish.

Couples planning to marry in St. Katharine of Siena Church should notify the Pastor as early as possible, and no less than six months prior to the desired wedding date so that appropriate assistance in marriage preparation may be provided. At the initial interview, the date and the time requested will be confirmed, and the appropriate information and guidelines provided.

Wedding Schedule:
Weddings are normally scheduled on Saturdays, no later that 2:00 pm. Weddings may also be scheduled on Friday evenings. Visiting priests are welcome.

For information on any of the above, please contact the rectory: 610-688-4584

The Sacrament of the Sick may be received by anyone who is seriously ill, aged or infirm. Those who are scheduled for surgery are encouraged to ask for the Sacrament of the Sick. Please contact the rectory to make arrangements.

Annual Mass for the Anointing of the Sick
Anyone who is seriously ill, physically, mentally or emotionally, is invited to attend this annual liturgy celebrated in the spring each year. To be anointed is to be conse­crated – that is, to be set aside – for God’s blessing and protection during this time of sickness. Date and time of this liturgy can be found on the Mass Calendar under Anointing of Sick or in the Parish Bulletin.