Baptism
Baptism welcomes us into the Church and immerses us into Christian life. It marks out spiritual rebirth as daughters and sons of God.
Baptism of an infant or child is usually celebrated on the first and third Sunday of the month at 1:30pm. Call the Parish Office to schedule.
Cathechumens (adults preparing for baptism) are received into the Church during the Easter Vigil.
Information for Baptism Preparation
The procedure for Baptism preparation at St. Andrew Church includes an interview and a class. This preparation must be completed by the parents of an infant child before the Sacrament may be administered.
You may register for Baptism preparation by calling the Parish Office at 248-651-7486. In order to have your infant baptized, you must be a registered member of the parish community. Please plan on making arrangements in advance to avoid any delays when your child is born.
Upcoming preparation classes are held once a month, usually on the third Saturday.
If you have children five years of age or older, who have not yet received the Sacrament of Baptism, please call the Faith Formation Office at 248-651-6571, for information regarding preparation for older children for Baptism.
Reconcilliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, sometimes referred to as “confession” celebrates God’s mercy and helps us to experience divine forgiveness. It enables us to return to spiritual health in the family of God, to forgive ourselves and to become reconciled with others.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturday at 3:30 pm in the Church. Other opportunities can be arranged by contacting a priest. Communal Penance Services are scheduled at various times throughout the year.
Information of Reconciliation Preparation
Children are prepared to celebrate this Sacrament in second grade through the Faith Formation sessions and one family prep session. Adults who would like information about this Sacrament are encouraged to call the Faith Formation Office.
Contact the coordinator of the religious education sacramental preparation program for elementary grades, Mrs. Beth Sobczak, by email at beths@standrewchurch.org or call the Faith Formation Office at 248-651-6571.
Eucharist (First Communion)
Eucharist celebrates our life together as a community. It is the central act of worship for Catholics. In the Eucharist, Christ is most profoundly present in the Church, which gathers to hear the Word of God and to share the nourishment of Christ’s Body with one another. Eucharist is celebrated by the entire community at all mass times. Eucharist is also celebrated daily.
Information On Eucharistic Preparation
The celebration of First Eucharist is traditionally celebrated in the Spring of second grade. Two years of formal instruction in the faith is recommended. Both children and parents participate in the immediate preparation provided for by the Faith Formation Staff.
For adults returning to the faith, instructions concerning this sacrament can be arranged by contacting the OCIA Director through the parish office at 248-651-7486.
Congratulations to all our children and youth who have celebrated their First Communion in the month of May! We hope that you continue to come to the Lord’s Table to receive the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Questions about the preparation of this sacrament for 2nd graders in the faith formation program and students at Holy Family Regional School who are parishioners of St. Andrew can be directed to Mrs. Barb Pacella at 248-651-6571 or emails to barbp@standrewchurch.org
Confirmation
Confirmation is traditionally celebrated in the Fall of 9th grade. A minimum of two years of formal education prior to celebration of the Sacrament is required.
Confirmation should be a strengthening and the start of renewed zeal for discipleship. It should awaken our experience of Baptism and point us toward our sharing in the Eucharist. It should strengthen us for the journey of discipleship and for active participation in the faith community.
Matrimony
Matrimony joins two people in marriage for a lifetime of dedication to each other’s well-being and the well-being of their children and the community. The Sacrament of Matrimony is usually celebrated on Friday evening, Saturday morning or early afternoon. Call the Parish Office at least six months prior to the intended wedding date to schedule an interview and arrange for pre-marriage instruction. Registration in the parish is required. Music arrangements for weddings are arranged through the Director of Music.
Catholics who have been married, but not by a Catholic priest or deacon are encouraged to have their marriage recognized as a Sacrament. Please call the Parish Office for further details.
Arrangements for Marriage
Since we are frequently asked questions about arranging for weddings, we provide the following information. We hope this information is helpful in answering questions about making arrangements for marriage. If anyone has additional questions, please feel free to call the Parish Office.
Who can be married at St. Andrew Church?
Any Roman Catholic party, who is (1) of age and (2) free to marry, (3) who is a registered member of St. Andrew Church, and (4) who is seeking to marry a partner who is of age and free to marry, can arrange to celebrate his or her wedding in our Church. Wedding arrangements need to be made at least six months prior to the desired date. Parties recently registered in the parish, who do not live within our parish boundaries or belong to a family already registered in the parish, need to be aware that we cannot schedule a wedding date for six months after the time of registration. The normal six month preparation period would apply from that point.
Must both parties be Catholic?
No. Though the Catholic Church, like most churches, has a strong preference for marriages between members of the Catholic faith, Catholics are free to marry persons of any faith, or of no faith, as long as both parties are free to marry (i.e., there is no existing bond from a prior marriage), and are of suitable age. If any bond from a prior marriage exists, whether the person involved is Catholic or not, this must be cleared up before a wedding date can be scheduled.
Can a wedding be scheduled for less than six months?
It is the policy in Catholic churches throughout the State of Michigan that there will be a period of at least six months between the scheduling of a wedding and the date of the wedding. At the judgment of the priest, a longer period may be set (e.g. if one or both of the parties are teenagers). The priest has some discretion to shorten this period slightly when there is sufficient reason. It would be unusual for a priest to do so without knowing at least one partner in advance fairly well. The priest has the responsibility to assure that adequate preparation is completed prior to the wedding. Pregnancy, when no prior plans for marriage have been set, is not a reason to shorten the preparation period.
Where can weddings be celebrated?
Weddings at St. Andrew Church are normally celebrated in our Church. At times, when scheduling permits, priests from St. Andrew Parish will participate in weddings in other churches (e.g. in a Protestant Church when one of the parties is Protestant). It would be very rare, and only under very particular circumstances, that weddings would be celebrated outside a church.
Priests assigned to St. Andrew Parish cannot make commitments to perform weddings for parishioners in other churches or chapels until six months prior to the marriage, when it can be determined that they do not have a responsibility for a wedding service at St. Andrew Church.
Holy Orders
Holy Orders is a sacrament of service by which some are called by God to lead and serve the Church and the world as priests.
The entire community is encouraged to pray for vocations, that people of all ages be open to God’s call to service. Anyone interested in information about a life of ministry is encouraged to speak with a member of the Parish Staff.
Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the sick celebrates and reminds us of God’s compassion and helps us to experience spiritual — and sometimes physical — strengthening when we are ill. As a parish, we celebrate this Sacrament communally twice a year. For individual needs, parishoners are encouraged to contact the Parish Office. Regular visits are made to area hospitals.