Baptism
Parents may request the baptism of their infants at least two months prior to the anticipated date of baptism. To request baptism, please call 608-782-0322. A class is required for the baptism of your first child.
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), 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: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.” 1213 Catechism of the Catholic Church
First Confession & First Holy Communion
According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time. – CCC 1457, Pope John Paul II (1994)
“I also recommend that, in their catechetical training, and especially in their preparation for First Holy Communion, children be taught the meaning and the beauty of spending time with Jesus, and helped to cultivate a sense of awe before his presence in the Eucharist.”
— Pope Benedict XVI – Sacramentum Caritatis 67
Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation, along with that of Baptism and Eucharist, constitute the Sacraments of Initiation which signifies and effects Full Communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Confirmation completes the graces received in Baptism. By this Sacrament, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. As true witnesses of Christ, they are, therefore, obligated to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.
For high school students, reception of the Sacrament presumes participation in either the Aquinas Catholic School system or the Religious Education Program (Life Teen at Roncalli Newman).
For Catholics no longer students, please go the RCIA section. Please contact the Rector if you have any questions.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The RCIA, which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process through which non-baptized men and women enter the Catholic Church. It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Participants in the RCIA are known as catechumens. They undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church, and receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Holy Eucharist. The RCIA process follows the ancient practice of the Church and was restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism. In 1974 the Rite for Christian Initiation for Adults was formally approved for use in the United States.
Interested in entering into the Roman Catholic Church? Contact the Cathedral’s RCIA Coordinator, Deacon Joseph Richards at (608) 461-8000.
Holy Matrimony
He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ and said, ‘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.” – Matthew 19:4-6
Couples requesting the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage should contact the rector at the time of formal engagement or at least six months prior to the anticipated date of marriage and actively participate in the faith (Sunday worship) as a registered member of a parish. Weddings are not celebrated during Lent.
Holy Orders
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” John 20:21-23
Learn more about Priestly Vocations
Learn more about Consecrated Life
Anointing of the Sick
They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them – Mark 6:13
Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven – James 5:14–15
Those who are seriously ill or have been sick for a long period of time should receive the Sacrament of the Sick and Holy Communion. Please call the parish office at 608-782-0322 to make arrangements.
By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ. CCC 1490