Sacraments

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states the following:

“The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord’s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.”

Adults seeking to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) are invited to take part in our OCIA Program.

Children under the age of 18 seeking to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist are invited to participate in our Religious Education Program.

Students who begin the Religious Education program in Grade 1, and who consistently meet the requirements of the program, are slated to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist in the Spring of Grade 2. Preparation for First Holy Communion is a 2-year program.

Students in high school who are seeking the Sacrament of the Eucharist will work directly with the Director of Catechesis to finish all requirements.

To learn more about registering your child in our Religious Education program in order for them to be prepared for the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion), please contact our Director of Catechesis, Felicia Viscusi, at religioused@ndnhp.org.

Eucharistic Adoration is offered in the Notre Dame Parish Center Chapel from 1:00pm until Benediction at 8:00pm.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states the following:

“Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit – his actions, his gifts, and his biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. the latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands.”

Adults seeking to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation are invited to take part in our OCIA Program.

Children under the age of 18 seeking to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation are invited to participate in our Religious Education Program.

Students who begin the Religious Education program in Grade 1, and who consistently meet the requirements of the program, are slated to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Fall of Grade 8. 

Students in high school who are seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation will work directly with the Director of Catechesis to finish all requirements.

To learn more about registering your child in our Religious Education program in order for them to be prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation, please contact our Director of Catechesis, Felicia Viscusi, at religioused@ndnhp.org

Weddings should be arranged at least 6 months in advance of the wedding date. Please phone your Parish Office and make an appointment to speak to one of the priests or deacons. This should be done prior to making any other arrangements.

The celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony should be said at the home parish of one member of the couple. Weddings at Notre Dame and Holy Spirit will be said for parishioners only.

Marriage Preparation

The Church recognizes the sacredness of married life. As a Sacrament, lived by a couple, it is an occasion of God’s grace in our midst. In order to help engaged couples prepare for their sacramental vocation, the Church requires them to participate in a formal process of marriage preparation.

Step I The Interview

Couples are asked to call the rectory to arrange an appointment with a priest or deacon. This appointment is best scheduled a year before the proposed wedding date. During this interview, priest or deacon will complete the required pre-nuptial interview form, provide for the engaged couple a list of required papers (e.g. new baptismal certificates), and explain the options available to the couple.

Step II: Pre Cana

Couples are required by the Diocese of Rockville Centre to complete a Marriage Preparation (Pre Cana) Program prior to marriage. Couples may complete this requirement in a variety of ways. Options will be explained to couples during the initial interview (Step I).

Diocesan programs
The Diocese of Rockville Centre offers a variety of marriage preparation programs to accommodate busy schedules. These options will be explained at the initial interview (Step I). Couples must register for Diocesan programs with the Diocese of Rockville Centre Family Life Office found at www.drvc.org.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states the following: 

“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 by prayer labors for their conversion.”

Confessions at Notre Dame Parish are available following all daily Masses, Saturdays 3:45PM – 4:45PM, and by appointment. Please call the Parish Center (516-352-7203) to schedule an appointment.

Confessions at Holy Spirit Church are available Saturdays, 3:00PM – 3:45PM.

Students who begin the Religious Education program in Grade 1, and who consistently meet the requirements of the program, are slated to receive the Sacrament of Confession in the Spring of Grade 2.

To learn more about registering your child in our Religious Education program in order for them to be prepared for the Sacrament of Confession, please contact our Director of Catechesis, Felicia Viscusi, at religioused@ndnhp.org

When we hear “Vocation”, we usually think of someone becoming a priest, sister, deacon or brother. These are certainly worthy and wonderful vocations. All of us though, have a vocation to be God’s followers. We can do that as a husband, wife, single person, doctor, teacher, senior citizen or child. God’s call is sometimes mysterious! It also comes over a period of time. If we truly enjoy something, that’s a good sign that we might be suited to following God in that direction. God gives us gifts and talents to be put to use for the good of all.

We are concerned with the declining number of Vocations to religious life. God is calling people. People simply are not responding. Smaller families can influence children to get married and have grandchildren. Society seems to value great wealth without commitment. Neither of those values lead to fulfillment and happiness.

Look around! If there is someone around you, in Church, your family, etc. who you would trust to serve you as a priest, sister, brother or deacon … let them know! Most priests were encouraged to become priests by family members and friends. Write a note. Tell those around you how honored you would be if one of your children, grandchildren or friends followed God’s call to a Church Vocation.

Pray! Pray for sisters, deacons, brothers and priests.

St. Therese Prayer Society for Vocations:
As a member you commit yourself to praying in a special way for vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life. No dues, no meetings, only the promise of your prayers. To become a member, please contact the vocation office at 631-424-9888.

Links to explore Vocations:

Vocation Office Diocese of Rockville Centre

U.S. Catholic Bishops Vocations and Priestly Formation

Vocations Online

Frequently Asked Vocations Questions