Baptism is undertaken as an expression of faith and as a means of initiating people into Christ and the faith community we call “the Church.” It is a celebration of new life, specifically the new life we experience in the context of a life lived in Christian discipleship and Christian community.
Marriage is an expression of love that involves a commitment to a lifelong, faithful relationship with one very special person. We believe that marriage is a calling – that it is a way of fulfilling our true purpose in life. It is a choice to grow and develop in love and to share life experiences with another person. It provides a context of mutual support and growth, and creates a safe and caring environment in which children can be raised.
Death confronts us in the depths of our being. It is a momentous and intimidating event, and it can leave us disoriented and afraid. It is important to find ways of approaching death that allow us to acknowledge it, accept it, and move forward in hope. From the perspective of faith, dying can be a beautiful and meaningful transition, an opening to new life. The priest and the deacons are always willing to be with someone who is dying, to offer prayer and hope, and to offer a loving and steady presence at a difficult and often frightening time. We will come to either home or hospital and offer “Last Rites,” or prayers for the dying (and for those trying to cope with the loss).