Sacraments

Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church recognizes the existence of Seven Sacraments instituted by the Lord. They are the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist), the Sacraments of Healing (Penance and Anointing of the Sick), and the Sacraments at the Service of Communion (Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders). Through the Sacraments, God shares his holiness with us so that we, in turn, can make the world holier.

According to the Second Vatican Council, “The purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify men, to build up the body of Christ, and finally, to give worship to God. Because they are signs they also instruct. They not only presuppose faith, but by words and objects they also nourish, strengthen, and express it; that is why they are called ‘sacraments of faith.’ They do indeed impart grace, but, in addition, the very act of celebrating them disposes the faithful most effectively to receive this grace in a fruitful manner, to worship God duly, and to practice charity” (Sacred Constitution on the Liturgy, 59).

The Sacraments of the Catholic Church were given to us by Jesus in order to give us the grace of God and to strengthen and enliven our faith, hope, and love of God and others. We invite everyone to come and join us in worshiping God through the Sacraments.These pages are to help you better understand and to help you participate in the Sacraments.

“And Jesus came and said to them ‘all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit.”

Matthew 28:18-19

Sacrament of Baptism

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” -Romans 6:3-4

Celebrating Baptism

“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the church and made sharers in her mission.” (CCC 1213)

Baptism Preparation for Infants: In expressing a desire to have their child baptized, parents are accepting the responsibility of raising their child in the Catholic faith. To assist parents in their duty as Christian parents to raise their children in the ways of faith, the church requires all parents be registered members of the parish and to attend baptismal preparation classes prior to scheduling the baptism of their children. Please contact us at info@stmatthewtn.org for more information about having your infant or young child baptized. Please complete the form below.

Baptism Preparation for Children: 
Unbaptized children who are of catechetical age are prepared for Baptism through the Religious Education program. Please contact reled@stmatthewtn.org for more information about the baptizing your child.

Adults and older children who are seeking baptism will use the Religious Education program and the Roman Catholic Initiation for Adults (RCIA).

Baptismal Certificates can be obtained by contacting Kelly Ott at 615-550-5141 or kott@stmatthewtn.org.

If you are going to serve as a Sponsor for Baptism at another church and need a letter, please have the child’s full name and contact Kelly Ott at 615-550-5141 or kott@stmatthewtn.org.

Sacrament of Confirmation

“Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 8:14-17

“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.” (CCC 1285)

Confirmation Preparation for Youth:
As they reach 8th grade, all baptized students regularly attending Religious Education classes or a Catholic School are invited to celebrate their Sacrament of Confirmation.

Confirmation Preparation for Adults: The community of Saint Matthew welcomes and invites all baptized adults who were not confirmed as a youth to continue their journey of initiation into a deeper spiritual relationship with God through the Sacrament of Confirmation. Adults wishing to be confirmed are prepared through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Sessions are held from September until May each year on Tuesdays nights. Please contact us at 615-646-0378 or info@stmatthewtn.org for more information or click here to fill out an RCIA inquiry.

Dress Code for Confirmation:

The Bishop is the one who sets the rules for appropriate dress. Because of the special nature of the occasion, and the spirituality of the place, the dress for the Sacrament of Confirmation should reflect the importance of the moment.

For Girls: Dresses which cover the shoulders and come down to a respectable length near the knee in white or pastel colors. Modest, simple clothing with no large jewelry. We interpret this to mean chests and shoulders should be covered.

For Boys: Collared long-sleeved shirts, (white or pastel in color) with an appropriate tie (any color) and khaki or dress slacks with dress shoes; no tennis/jogging shoes. We ask that the boys wear dark colored jackets. Sponsors should abide by this same dress code.

For Sponsors: Sponsors should abide by this same dress code.

Calendar of Events:

Confirmation:
TBD

For More Information:
Tony Jesse
tjesse@stmatthewtn.org or 615-550-5100

Sacrament of the Eucharist

“Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” – John 6:52-56

Celebrating Eucharist

“At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us. The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the 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, our Pasch.” (CCC 1323-24)

Preparation for First Eucharist: This is a wonderful and special time for children and their families. The community of St. Matthew is pleased and blessed to partner with families and guide them through this process. Children are prepared through the Religious Education program.

Dress Code:
Boys:                Girls:
Dress slacks                White Dress
White shirt                 Veil
Dark Jacket                 White tights or socks
Tie                 Dress Shoes
Dress Shoes

Calendar of Events:

First Communion Practice:
TBD

First Communion:
TBD

For More Information:
Tony Jesse
tjesse@stmatthewtn.org or 615-550-5100

Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

“But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother [and be joined to his wife], and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” – Mark 10:6-9

Choosing to Marry

“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” (CCC 1601)

Marriage Preparation: Please contact a priest or deacon at least six months before you wish to marry to begin the process. The marriage preparation program at Saint Matthew offers couples an opportunity to reflect on and discuss some of the vital aspects of married life.

Declaration of Nullity: For questions regarding seeking a Declaration of Nullity, please contact us at info@stmatthewtn.org.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

“If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.” –1 John 1:8-9

Seeking Forgiveness – Reconciliation

“The Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation is one of the Sacraments of Healing. It relies upon a sense of ongoing conversion, a desire to repent and a need to be reconciled with God and the Church. It is called the sacrament of forgiveness since by the priest’s sacramental absolution God grants the penitent ‘pardon and peace.’” (CCC 1424)

Preparation for First Reconciliation

This is a wonderful and special time for children and their families. The community of Saint Matthew is pleased and blessed to partner with families and guide them through this process. If your child needs to make his/her First Reconciliation, please contact Tony Jesse, tjesse@stmatthewtn.org for more information.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is held every Saturday from 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. in the reconciliation room located in the chapel or by appointment. Please call the church office if you would like to make an appointment at 615-646-0378.

Parish Reconciliation Services are held twice a year during Advent and Lent. Please see the bulletin for details on dates and times, or click here to view the church calendar.

For More Information:
Tony Jesse
Director of Religious Education
615-550-5100
tjesse@stmatthewtn.org

Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

“Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.” – James 5: 14-15

Need Anointing

“The Anointing of the Sick completes our conformity to the death and Resurrection of Christ, just as Baptism began it. It completes the holy anointings that mark the whole Christian life…This last anointing fortifies the end of our earthly life like a solid rampart for the final struggles before entering the Father’s house.” (CCC 1523)

Receiving Anointing of the Sick: 
The Anointing of the Sick is a Sacrament of the Church in which the priest prays, lays hands, and anoints the sick person with blessed oil. Whenever possible, it is always best to be anointed here at the parish prior to admission to the hospital for serious treatment or surgery. You may always call our parish offices for the sacrament if the person is at home. Do not wait in cases of extreme and serious illness. The sacrament does not have to be given only near death but may be received when there is a serious illness.

For More Information:
Saint Matthew Church Office
615-646-0378
info@stmatthewtn.org

Sacrament of Holy Orders

“And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message…”  –Mark 3:14

A Vocation to the Priesthood or Diaconate

“Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles is exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.” (CCC 1536)

To learn more about becoming a priest or deacon:

If you are interested in learning more about vocations, please contact Father Austin Gilstrap, Director of Vocations, 615-783-0782 or fr.gilstrap@nashvocations.org.

You may also visit the website www.nashvocations.org.