Sacred Rites
Sacraments
Explore the profound and life-giving Sacraments within the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes. These sacred moments are powerful encounters with God’s grace, marking significant milestones in our spiritual journeys.
St. Gaspar Family of Parishes is honored to guide you through preparation and celebration for all the Sacraments, including Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick. Regardless of which of our six parishes you call home, we warmly invite you to explore all the information listed on this page and begin your journey of sacramental preparation or inquiry through any of our churches.
Cross-Parish Resources
Baptism
Baptism is a sacrament in which we recognize and celebrate God’s presence in our lives and our response to that call in living a life of holiness.
The Church urges parents to have infants baptized within the first weeks after birth. Parents are required to attend a class, preferably before the birth of their first child or soon thereafter. This class discusses the effects of the sacrament of baptism on the child, the role and obligations of the parents and the Godparents, the baptismal ritual, and the significance of the symbols, gestures, and words used in administering the sacrament. Those seeking baptism should contact Deacon Brian Seibert.
Adults new to the Catholic faith are baptized at the Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday. To receive Baptism through this method, adults are required to complete our Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). For more information on the program, contact Deacon Brian Seibert.
Those requesting Baptism in an emergency situation should call the parish office immediately to contact the pastor.
Reconciliation
Our parishes celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in many ways. You can view our Confession Schedule here. The priest will gladly celebrate the sacrament with anyone wishing to receive the gift.
Our second-grade children receive First Reconciliation before their First Communion. This service is held in the late fall or early winter. Children receiving this sacrament must be enrolled in Mother Brunner School or in our religious education programs at Emmanuel, Holy Trinity or St. Paul parishes.
During Advent and Lent, we have communal reconciliation services. This service includes several readings, a common prayer, and hymn singing. There is time for quiet reflection and private confession with one of the many priests available for the liturgy. Check this website or the parish bulletin for times and dates for this service.
Those who are gravely ill may also choose to receive the sacrament of reconciliation as part of their Last Rites. If you or a family member needs last rites, please contact your parish office.
As always, the pastor may be available to celebrate reconciliation through a private appointment. Call a parish office for details.
Eucharist
As Catholics, the Eucharist is the “source and summit of our faith.” The Sacrament of First Eucharist is usually received in second grade. Preparation takes place on Saturday or Sunday mornings for public school children or during the school day at Mother Brunner School. Registration is required before classes start in September.
For more information, contact:
- Erica Rudemiller for Precious Blood, St. Rita, and St. Paul parishes
- Tanya Lee for Emmanuel, Holy Trinity, and St. Joseph parishes
Confirmation
In our Catholic beliefs, Confirmation seals us with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and completes our initiation into the Catholic Church.
Currently, our eighth-grade students are welcomed into full communion with the church through confirmation during the spring. Teens are required to begin preparation classes in the seventh grade. For more information, contact Tanya Lee or Erica Rudemiller.
Adults receive confirmation after completing a course of study, usually through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). Please contact Lynda Middleton for more details.
Marriage
Because Christian marriage is a sacrament, the Catholic Church wants couples to be well-prepared. Our parishes offer marriage preparation to help couples develop a better understanding of the sacrament; to evaluate and deepen their readiness to live married life; and to gain insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple.
Marriage preparation includes a weekend retreat; marriage preparation sessions; and participating in a series of Natural Family Planning classes offered online or by the archdiocese. The important thing for engaged couples to keep in mind as they check numerous items off their pre-wedding “to-do” list is the well-known adage, “Your wedding lasts a day, but your marriage lasts a lifetime.” The Church encourages couples to invest time and energy into the all-important work of preparing for their married life together.
For couples planning to marry in the Catholic Church, please contact your parish nine months before your anticipated wedding date to begin the marriage preparation process. Please refer to this Archdiocesan website.
The contact person for St. Rita, St. Paul, and Precious Blood parishes is Deacon Mike Prier.
The contact person for Emmanuel, Holy Trinity, and St. Joseph parishes is Deacon Rusty Baldwin.
Our St. Gaspar Family of Parishes is blessed to include three beautiful, historic churches in the heart of downtown Dayton. These sacred spaces have witnessed countless love stories, and we’re honored that you’re considering beginning yours here. Because of this, we have a special set of wedding guidelines for couples wishing to celebrate their marriage at one of our downtown parishes.
Holy Orders
Catholics considering a religious vocation in their lives should do so with much discernment and prayer. If you believe that a religious vocation is your calling, then we recommend contacting the following:
- For information to become a diocesan priest, contact our Diocesan Vocations office by calling (513) 421-3131, emailing vocations@catholiccincinnati.org, or visit the Archdiocese website.
- For information to become a priest or brother with the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, please contact Rev. Vincent Wirtner, C.PP.S., by calling the provincial office at (937) 228-9263.
- If you are considering becoming a deacon, you can contact the pastor or our deacon through the parish office or via email. You might also check this information out on the Archdiocesan website.
- If you are considering becoming a member of a women’s religious order, you are welcome to contact the Sisters of the Precious Blood at (937) 837-3302 or through their website. They are located at 4960 Salem Avenue, across the street from Precious Blood Church.
- If you want more information about other orders or the vocation overall, please visit the Archdiocesan website.
Anointing the Sick
Our parishes celebrate the Anointing of the Sick three times a year as part of a special 4:30 p.m. Regional Mass. Call a parish office for details.
Due to privacy policies, we do not receive a listing of patients in need of anointing at medical institutions. If you or someone you know is going into a hospital, please contact us before your visit if possible.
Anointing the gravely ill is available by request