Sacraments

Those interested in learning more about the Catholic faith participate in the Journey to Catholicism.  This helps adults to grow in their relationship with God, become familiar with Catholic practices and teachings, become acquainted with people in the parish, and get involved with service to the community.

The Journey is a process of seeking information and becoming Catholic for non-Catholics who wish to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Those who wish to join the Catholic Church who have already been baptized in another Christian Church will participate in the Journey, but will not be re-baptized.

Typically, the journey begins in August and runs through the Easter Season with registration in the summer months (see weekly bulletin for announcements). However, at any time during the year, if an individual is interested, arrangements can be made to begin the journey.

Children over 7 years old who have not been baptized or have not received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are invited to participate in a similar process.   Please call the office at the number below  for details.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Catholic, or if you are a parish member willing to help, please contact Jenn Ledonne at (859) 635-4188 or jenn@saintmaryparish.com.

Top of Page

We celebrate the sacrament of Baptism on the first, third and fourth Sundays at 12:15 by appointment.

For children aged 6 and under: Parents are required to attend a preparation class before their first child is baptized, as well as parents with another child to be baptized if more than four years have elapsed since attending a class. Preparation classes for parents are held on the second Tuesday of each month. Please call the parish office at (859) 635-4188 to register.

If your child is aged 7 or older, please see Journey to Catholicism above. 

Baptismal Sponsor Requirements and Guidelines 

In 1983, The Roman Rite of the Catholic Church promulgated a new Code of Canon Law.  The laws dealing with godparents are Canons 872-874.  Some items do not apply at all or are seldom relevant.  Here is an outline of the pertinent Canons.

• The term ‘godparent’ never appears in Canon Law.  The proper term is ‘sponsor’.   Godparent, Godmother, Godfather are not technical terms.  They are just terms we use.
• You must have at least one sponsor for the person being baptized.  There may be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each gender.  Two sponsors of the same gender are not permitted. 
• A sponsor must have completed his/her sixteenth year, unless the pastor grants an exception for a lower age, provided there is a just cause for doing so.
• A sponsor must be a Catholic who is confirmed and receives the Eucharist regularly.  A fully initiated member of the Catholic church who also “leads a life in harmony with the faith”.  This means attending church and being active in their parish.
• An unbaptized person may not be a sponsor or witness. A baptized non-Catholic person may be a witness at a baptism but can not be a sponsor.  Canonically there is a difference between a sponsor and a witness.  If there is a non-Catholic Christian witness, that person must be a baptized Christian and be living his/her life in harmony with faith, that is, practicing their religion, and not just a member of a church.  If there is one non-Catholic witness, there MUST be one Catholic sponsor.  
• A non-confirmed Catholic cannot be a sponsor or a witness.  Likewise, a Catholic who has left the Catholic church for another Christian denomination cannot be a Christian witness.  If a proposed Christian witness was baptized as an infant/child but NOT catechized or raised in the Catholic faith, one could be a witness with Pastor approval.  

Asking someone to be a sponsor or witness for your child’s baptism is not a social or family obligation, nor just an honor bestowed.  According to Canon Law, a sponsor is a person who will be “assisting in the Catholic upbringing” of the one baptized.  

Why do we Baptize? (video on external website)

Top of Page

Confessions are on the first Saturday of the month from 3:30 – 4:00 or anytime by appointment.

Our second graders celebrate First Penance in mid-January. A meeting for parents detailing the preparation program is held in October each year. If needed, an adaptive preparation program is available for use by contacting the Director of Wednesday Evening Religious Education, Stephanie Baxter, at (859) 635-4188 or were@saintmaryparish.com.

Why we confess? (video on external website)

Top of Page

We celebrate Eucharist daily.  Mass Times for receiving Eucharist can be found here.

Our second graders celebrate First Communion at the end of April. A meeting for parents detailing the preparation program is held in February each year. If needed, an adaptive preparation program is available for use by contacting the Director of Wednesday Evening Religious Education, Stephanie Baxter, at (859) 635-4188 or were@saintmaryparish.com.

Ministers are available to visit and bring Eucharist to those who are unable to join the community at Mass due to illness (temporary or permanent). If you’d like someone to visit you or a loved one, please contact the parish office at (859) 635-4188.

Eucharist - How we receive? (video on external website)

Eucharist - What we believe? (video on external website)

Top of Page

Eighth graders are confirmed early in the calendar year on a date scheduled by the Diocese of Covington. A meeting for parents detailing the preparation program and requirements is held in September each year. 

If needed, an adaptive preparation program is available for use by contacting the Director of Wednesday Evening Religious Education, Stephanie Baxter, at (859) 635-4188 or were@saintmaryparish.com. 

Sacramental preparation for eighth graders is coordinated through Youth Ministry. Please visit their page for more information on their journey to prepare to receive this sacrament.

Contact Parish office for additional information. 859-635-4188

Catholic adults are confirmed at the cathedral by the bishop on Pentecost each year. Registration for is open the first few weeks of the Easter season. Please contact the Director of Religious Education at the parish office to register or for more information.

Confirmation - Why we are confirmed? (video on external website)

Top of Page

The Catholic Church recognizes marriage as a Sacrament, a sacred encounter between God and His people, and the living out of that holy union. The Sacrament of Marriage sees the love between husband and wife as a gift from God. In turn, the love of husband and wife becomes a living sign of Christ’s presence and love in the Christian Community. A couple joined in the Sacrament of Marriage lives that sacrament by loving God and practicing their faith.

Couples need to contact the priest at least eight months in advance of the intended date of marriage.

Matrimony - Why Make it Catholic? (video on external website)

Top of Page

This sacrament is offered not just to those who are dying but those suffering from serious sickness and those facing serious surgery. Families requesting this sacrament for their loved one should contact the parish office at 859-635-4188. The priest will come to the home or hospital, or the person can receive the sacrament at a daily Mass.

Anointing of the Sick - Who is it for? (video on external website)

Top of Page

The future of the Catholic Church depends on the presence of priests to continue the sacramental ministry of the Church. Men interested in the priesthood can contact Fr. Conor Kunath (ckunath@covdio.org or 859-392-1566).

Holy Orders - What ordination means? (video on external website)

Top of Page

Women and men interested in the religious life can contact the Vicar for Religious, Sr. Marla Monahan, SND, at 859-392-1569.

For more information, visit https://covdio.org/religious-vocations/.

Top of Page