Sacraments

Infant Baptisms

Parents of children are required to attend a Baptism Class prior to setting a date for the baptism of their child and contact the parish office at least three months prior to the Baptism of their child. Our Baptism Prep Classes are held every two months.

We encourage parents and godparents to attend the class Before your child is born. These classes are offered every two months. If you have attended a Baptism class at Church of the Little Flower within the last 3 years, this requirement is waived.

We also require that the parents and godparents be living their faith, coming to Mass regularly, etc. Further we ask that the parents and godparents participate in a Baptismal class which teaches about their responsibilities for raising their child in the Catholic faith.

Other Requirements:

When a child or an adult is to be baptized, he or she must have at least one godparent.
It is customary for children to have two godparents. When there are two, one must be
male and the other female.

At Least One Godparent must:

(a) Be Catholic
(b) Have been baptized, confirmed and have received First Communion
(c) Be 16 or older
(d) Be an active, registered member of a Roman Catholic parish

This means that they must be practicing the faith. In general, if a potential sponsor is not a member of the parish where the baptism is to take place, he or she must obtain a letter or certificate from their own parish which affirms that they meet the above requirements.

The role of the godparent is to assist the parents and the child in living a Catholic life. In order to do so, the sponsor needs to provide good example of living that life. The role of godparent is a role of service done in the name of the Church, and the person who is a sponsor should be capable of performing that service.

If there is one godparent, the appointment of one ‘Christian witness’ to the baptism ceremony is allowed. This witness must be a baptized, practicing Christian.

If you have other specific questions regarding godparents, please call the Parish Office at 217-529-1606.

Children Baptisms for Ages 7 through 14:

We request that both the parents and the children to be Baptized participate together in the Children’s Catechumenate (RCIA adapted for children) process for un-baptized children of ages 7 through 14. Please contact the Coordinator of Faith Formation at the
parish office for further information. Age 7 is considered the age of reason and after age 14 is old enough for them to attend the adult RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults).

Baptism, the sacrament of Confirmation, and the Eucharist together constitute the “sacraments of Christian initiation, whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.
-Catechism of the Catholic Church #1285

We offer preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Eucharist, celebrated together, for students who are in 3rd grade, both in the Little Flower School and in PSR.

Contact the parish office 217-529-1606.

The prophets of the Old Testament foretold that God’s Spirit would rest upon the Messiah to sustain his mission. Their prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus the Messiah was conceived by the Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus on the occasion of his baptism by John. Jesus’ entire mission occurred in communion with the Spirit. Before he died, Jesus promised that the Spirit would be
given to the Apostles and to the entire Church. After his death, he was raised by the Father in the power of the Spirit.

Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. . . . We receive
the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service.
~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults | en español

We offer preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Eucharist, celebrated together, for students who are in 3rd grade, both in the Little Flower School and in PSR.

Please Contact the parish office 217-529-1606.

Learn more about the Mass here

Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.
-Catechism of the Catholic Church #1422

“And all this is from God, who has given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
-2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Engaged couples are required to meet with Fr. Al Kemme at least six months prior to their wedding date. They must be registered and actively living their faith at the parish. We ask that they also attend a PreCana Program, which is held by the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, prior to their wedding date.

PreCana classes are held around the city at various times and places. It is important to call early and arrange to share in these classes. Contact the Diocesan Family Life Office, 217-698-8500 for more information on these classes Or Contact the Parish Office (217) 529-1606.

For more information:

https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/sacraments/matrimony/sacrament-of-matrimony

The Anointing of the Sick can be obtained by calling the Parish Office  (217) 529-1606.

For more information:

https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/sacraments/anointing-of-the-sick/the-sacrament-of-the-anointing-of-the-sick

Here is a web link that explains the Sacrament of Holy Orders for Priests.

https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/sacraments/holy-orders/sacrament-of-holy-orders