The Sacraments of the Catholic Faith are ways in which God's grace is given to those who partake in them. Through the Sacraments people can come closer to God. St. Edward's parish offers most of the Holy Sacraments and further information about each sacrament can be found by selecting the specific sacrament in the list below:
Catechesis and Sacraments
Baptism
The Sacrament in which a child or adult is formally received into the Catholic Church through the pouring of water over the person's head in the name of the Trinity and the holy anointing of the oil of salvation and the oil of sacred Chrism.
To register for baptism, click here to see a copy of the Baptismal Registration form and submit the completed form to the parish office. The Baptism Registration Form is also located in the parish lobby on the "Welcome Table". Parents will be called for an interview where dates will be decided for a Baptism.
Eucharist
"If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion." - St. Maximilian Kolbe
"The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324).
Children are normally prepared to receive the sacrament of First Holy Communion in Grade 2. Our pastor and Sacramental Coordinator work together with parents and teachers to prepare students of our three Catholic elementary schools, as well as students from our local public and private schools, to receive Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist.
For more information, please contact the parish office.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation or Confession is a sacrament by which the sins of a person are acknowledged and, through penitence, forgiven. It is conducted by meeting with the priest in private and confessing one's sins. Reconciliation is held every Saturday, from 3 :30 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at St. Edward's parish and at other times at other parishes. Those unable to attend confession at the allotted time can contact the parish for a private confession time outside of those hours.
Confirmation
"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability" (Acts 2:1-4).
"Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation 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. For "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" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285).
The sacrament of Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace. The special outpouring of the Holy Spirit roots the candidate more deeply in divine filiation, incorporating them more firmly into the life of Christ and His Church. Confirmation candidates (confirmandis) are associated more closely with the Church's mission, that is, to spread the Good News of the resurrection of Christ. Confirmandis bear witness to the Christian faith in words and by deeds.
St. Edward's Church hosts Confirmation ceremonies for all of our local Catholic and Public/Private schools each year. There is a mandatory session all parents must attend prior to the registration process.
For any questions or concerns, please reach out to the parish office.
Marriage
Marriage is the sacred union of a man and a woman together into one. It is a joyful and beautiful way of expressing love for one another. Couples preparing for Marriage normally contact the priest at least one year before the intended marriage. A pre-marriage course is also required for any couples planning to have a marriage.
For more information, contact the parish office.
Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament performed on those who are seriously ill to grant them God's grace. If you wish to have a loved one, who is seriously ill, anointed, contact the priest through the parish office.
Please keep in mind, should your loved one be ill in the hospital, that most hospitals now have priests on call to serve the sick and dying. Simply contact the nursing station at the hospital and they will page the priest.
For more information about the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, the below video Pope Francis speaks of the beauty of the sacrament.
Funerals
Funerals honour, remember and sanctify the life of a person who has passed from this life onto the next. Should you need to plan a funeral, contact both the funeral homes and the parish. They will work in unison with you to coordinate the funeral services. Feel free to contact the parish for any other assistance. For a list of Catholic cemetaries, visit the Archdiocese's website.
The closest cemetary to the parish is Holy Cross Cemetery.
Catholic Funeral Homes in the area:
- Kane's Funeral Home Ph: (416-221-1159)
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Jerrett Funeral Home Ph: (905-889-8889)
Holy Orders
The Sacrament of Holy Orders (Priesthood) is bestowed by the Bishop to men approved for it after years of seminary formation.
If you are considering a Vocation to Priesthood, contact the Vocations Office of the Archdiocese of Toronto at:
Vocations Director at vocations@archtoronto.org
You may also wish to visit the following links:
- St. Augustine's Seminary at www.staugustines.on.ca
- Serra House at vocations@archtoronto.org
Permanent Diaconate
Deacons of a parish help with the Mass. If you are interested in learning more, please head over to the archdiocese website.
