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Baptism
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Baptism is the first Sacrament of Initiation within the Catholic Church. Baptism brings a child or adult into the new life promised by God and creates him or her anew in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
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Baptism for infants and children
Congratulations to all parents and parents to be! Baptism for infants and children under age 7 is typically celebrated at our weekend liturgies. Parents also have the option to celebrate the baptism outside of Mass. Parents are required to participate in a baptism preparation session taking place in our parish.
Parents are encouraged to prepare for their child's baptism even before the birth of their child. Baptism preparation sessions for parents and new godparents are led by Deacon Steve Roscher once a month following the 11:00 AM Mass, and they can also be held via Zoom. To arrange for the celebration of your child's baptism and register for an upcoming preparation session, please contact Deacon Steve.
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Baptism for older children
If you have older children who are not baptized, you may be surprised to learn that you are not the only one, and it is not too late! We welcome you where you are.
The process for older children and youth is part of the RCIA, separate from our religious education program. Since children don't develop in a vacuum, parents actively participate, too. We are always ready to work with you and your family. Contact Deacon Steve Roscher at 410-486-5400 orsteve.roscher@archbalt.org for more information.
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Baptism for adults
Unbaptized adults who wish to become Catholic participate in the RCIA process (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). It includes the elements of prayer and worship, community, service, and learning about our faith. We are always ready to welcome you. Contact Deacon Steve Roscher for details about RCIA at St. Charles.
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Reconciliation
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The sacrament
Our faith teaches us that our God is compassionate and full of mercy. God invites us to a relationship of love, and we can experience the fullness of this love in the forgiveness of our sins. As sinful people, we know our need for God's love, and this love is shown most completely in the sacrifice Jesus offers for each one of us on the cross.
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Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM to 6:55 PM
- Saturday: 3:15 PM to 3:45 PM
Confessions are also available by appointment. -
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1st Reconciliation
For information on First Reconciliation for children in grades 2 through 5, please contact Donna Cooper at the Parish Office. In the Archdiocese of Baltimore, First Reconciliation is celebrated prior to the celebration of First Eucharist.
If your child is in grade 6 through 12 and needs to celebrate his or her First Reconciliation, please contact the Parish Office at 410-486-5400.
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Holy Eucharist
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First Eucharist
First Eucharist is the second Sacrament of Initiation within our Catholic Faith. First Eucharist is typically celebrated between the second and fourth grades, most often in grade two, when children are 7 or 8 years old. For more information, please contact Donna Cooper at the Parish Office.
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Adoration Times
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM
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Throughout history, God has prepared His people to receive the gift of Christ in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is foreshadowed in Old Testament Scripture and is made explicit in the Gospels and epistles of the New Testament. We are united with Jesus as he gives himself to us as food and drink, and are reminded of his ultimate gift when he gave up his life for us for the forgiveness of our sins. We are called to grow with Christ, becoming transformed more into his likeness as we live as the "Body of Christ".
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The Year of the Eucharist
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Bishop Barron videos on the Eucharist
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Confirmation
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High school youth at St. Charles who are interested in Confirmation should contact Fr. Canisius Tah.
Adults who need the sacrament of Confirmation should contact Deacon Steve Roscher.
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Holy Matrimony
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Congratulations!
We rejoice with engaged couples, and ask them to contact Deacon Steve Roscher at least 6 months prior to the date of marriage in order to schedule an appointment to begin marriage preparation.
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Online marriage resources
Follow the Way of Love (USCCB)
Statement on Bill Redefining Marriage (Archdiocese of Baltimore)
Catholic Marriage Resources: For Your Marriage
Spanish Resources: Por tu matrimonio
Single Again Support (Archdiocese of Baltimore)
Divorce Support (Archdiocese of Baltimore)
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Anointing of the Sick
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The Anointing of the Sick is an important sacrament within the life of the Church, bringing the healing power of Jesus to both body and spirit. This healing prayer follows an ancient sacramental action within our Church.
"By their witness the sick show that our mortal life must be redeemed through the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection... This sacrament gives the grace of the Holy Spirit to those who are sick: by this grace the whole person is helped and saved, sustained by trust in God, and strengthened against the temptations of the Evil One and against anxiety over death.
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"The Letter of James states that the sick are to be anointed in order to raise them up and save them. Great care and concern should be taken to see that those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age receive this sacrament... Elderly people may be anointed if they have become noticeably weakened even though no serious illness is present." (Pastoral Care of the Sick [PCS], 3, 6, 8, 11)
Anointing at St. Charles
If you are seeking the healing presence of Jesus in your life, please come to the front of the church after Mass and Father will be happy to anoint you — or call 410-486-5400 for an appointment.
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Holy Orders and Vocations
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God continues to be present to our church through the gift of the sacraments; God asks that these sacraments be celebrated in the Church by priests who are willing to give their lives in the joyful service of God's people. Men of all ages continue to be called by God to share their life in service to the church as priests. Other men sense a call to service as permanent deacons. Is there a quiet voice or feeling inside drawing you toward the priesthood or diaconate? If you sense this call from God to service in the Church, please call Fr. Canisius at 410-486-5400.
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Are you a parent or grandparent who sees someone in your family who you think would make a good priest, deacon or religious? Tell them! Most people who discern a religious vocation in our Church feel little or no support from their families in discerning this call.
Archdiocese of Baltimore Vocations
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More information about the vocation to the priesthood is available through the Archdiocese of Baltimore Vocation Office's new web site:
www.bmorevocations.org. Discover numerous resources associated with the priesthood and discernment, check out seminarian blogs, and view video from seminarians. You are one click away from discovering your "call". Please feel free to contact the Director of Vocations, Rev. Steven Roth at 410-547-5426. -
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Planning a funeral
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"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." — John 3:16
In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the son of God, by His death and resurrection, has broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity. This saving mystery is at the center of the Church's life.
At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting word of God and the sacrament of the Eucharist. Christians celebrate these rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a life which has now been returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just.
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"If one member suffers in the body of Christ which is the Church, all the members suffer with that member." — 1 Cor. 12:12
The celebration of the Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to the living as the Christian community affirms and expresses the union of the Church on earth with the Church in heaven in the one great communion of saints. Though separated from the living, the dead are still at one with the community of believers on earth and benefit from their prayers and intercession.
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Making funeral arrangements
To begin the preparations for planning a funeral at St. Charles, please contact Donna Cooper at the Parish Office.
Our planning guide is designed to help you and your family prepare the readings, hymns, and use of Christian symbols in the liturgy which best reflect your prayer to God at the time of the death of one whom you love.
Funeral fee: $450 (make checks payable to St. Charles Borromeo Church)
If the service will be in a funeral home, the fee is $200 (make checks payable to the priest).
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Funeral planning guide (PDF)
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