Sacraments
The Sacraments at Guerin Catholic High School
St. Theodore Guerin High School is a Roman Catholic High School in the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana. We remain committed to assisting our students in their time here to grow in the sacramental life. Parishes and churches remain the primary place for us to receive our faith formation and the sacraments, especially in the Sunday Eucharist that is celebrated each week at Mass. By God’s providence, we have a full time priest who celebrates Mass each day during the academic year in our Kairos Masses and All School Masses. The Eucharist remains for Catholic Christians the source and summit of the whole Christian life based on the teaching of Jesus when “He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them saying: ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me’” (Lk 22:19) and from the Second Vatican Council (Lumen Gentium 11).
We are also very blessed to have Saint Joseph’s Chapel, a special place at our high school dedicated for prayer, Mass/Eucharist, the sacrament of reconciliation, and other spiritual experiences. The sacrament of reconciliation is offered during our academic year after school on most Tuesdays and Thursdays. We also have reconciliation services during the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent. Reconciliation forgives any sins committed after Baptism by a Catholic Christian. But if you are not repentant, then you are not forgiven. Only a Bishop or a priest can absolve sins in Confession. An actual mortal sin occurs when one does something that is seriously immoral, with full deliberation and knowledge. To be forgiven, admit your sin in Confession, with true sorrow (regret for sin) and repentance (a turning away from sin, toward the love of God and neighbor). Confession restores the state of salvific grace lost by actual mortal sin. The sacrament of the anointing of the sick is also available for students, teachers, and faculty members who are in need of this sacrament of healing. This sacrament is provided for the chronically ill, sick, injured, those who will have major surgery, or dying persons, offering forgiveness from sin, abundant grace, and healing in body and soul. “Is anyone ill among you? Let him bring in the priests of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And a prayer of faith shall save the infirm, and the Lord shall alleviate him. And if he has sins, these shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:14-15).
Here is a short video giving further perspective on the gift of the sacraments provided by the Catholic Church: