"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 prayer labors for their conversion." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1422).

The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, the true presence of Jesus Christ. The “culmination both of God’s action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1325). In the Mass, the bread and wine are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Jesus, their very form and substance is changed. Therefore, to receive this gift one must have prior formation.

“Through the ordained ministry, especially that of bishops and priests, the presence of Christ as head of the Church is made visible in the midst of the community of believers.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1549)

“Like every grace this sacrament can be received only as an unmerited gift.” "Only a baptized man validly receives sacred ordination."66 The Lord Jesus chose men (viri) to form the college of the twelve apostles,… The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1577, 1578)

If you have any questions or feel a calling to the Sacrament of Holy Orders please call the rectory and ask to speak to a priest or deacon (847) 587-2251. You may also get more information at www.ChicagoPriest.com

Or contact Fr. Timothy Monahan, Vocation Director
312-534-8298
tmonahan@archchicago.org

“Holy Scripture affirms that man and woman were created for one another: ‘It is not good that the man should be alone.’ The woman, ‘flesh of his flesh,’ his equal, his nearest in all things, is given to him by God as a ‘helpmate’; she thus represents God from whom comes our help. ‘Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.’ The Lord himself shows that this signifies an unbreakable union of their two lives by recalling what the plan of the Creator had been ‘in the beginning’: ‘So they are no longer two, but one flesh.’“ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1605)

We pledge to do everything we can to prepare you the best way possible for your life-long commitment. We, along with the Archdiocese of Chicago, have established guidelines of preparation that are part of the requirements for marriage here at Our Lady of the Lakes. These requirements are:

• Initial Meeting with a priest or deacon

• Liturgy Planning Workshop

• Administration and follow-up of a premarital inventory

• Attendance at an Archdiocese Marriage Preparation Program

• Optional attendance at one or both of the seminars on Christian Sexuality and/or Introductory Natural Family Planning

• Follow-up Meeting with priest or deacon

• Rehearsal

• Wedding

• Post-Wedding Follow-up