S. Stephen's

HOLY BAPTISM

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is normally administered three Sundays a year on the Great Baptismal Days: the Sunday after All Saints Day (November 1); the First Sunday after the Epiphany (January 6); and the Day of Pentecost (Whitsunday).

Adult Baptisms are particularly appropriate at the Great Vigil of Easter, which is held every year on the evening of Holy Saturday.

Holy Baptism can also be arranged for times other than Sunday morning, although in this case it is preferably administered during one of our regularly scheduled daily Masses. Except in emergency, Baptism is not administered during the seasons of Advent or Lent.

Each candidate for Holy Baptism is presented by one or more sponsors (also known as godparents), who must be themselves be baptized and practicing Christians. The choice of sponsors is subject to approval by the Rector.

There is no charge for Baptism at S. Stephen’s. However, many families wish to make some offering in thanksgiving for the Baptism.

HOLY MATRIMONY

Weddings at S. Stephen’s are normally performed only for regularly attending parishioners and members of their immediate families.

All couples contemplating marriage are required to meet with the Rector for at least three sessions of pre-marital instruction on the Church’s teaching concerning marriage and family life. Additional sessions may be required at the Rector’s discretion. By canon law, the Rector must be satisfied that the couple intends and is able to undertake a Christian marriage before he consents to conduct the wedding.

Divorced persons seeking to remarry while their former spouse is still alive are required to undergo additional counseling with the Rector. The permission of the bishop must be obtained for remarriage in church.

All weddings take place in the church using the authorized liturgy in The Book of Common Prayer. Flash photography is strictly prohibited during the service.

Couples planning a wedding are urged not to schedule the reception until the Rector has agreed to conduct the service on the anticipated date.

Weddings may not be scheduled for Sundays, or during the seasons of Advent and Lent.

There is no charge for weddings at S. Stephen’s. However, fees are payable to the organist, any other musicians, and the sexton. Many couples also wish to make some additional offering to the church in thanksgiving.

CHRISTIAN BURIAL

When a parishioner is near death, the priest should be notified immediately so that the Last Rites may be administered. Please also notify the priest at the time of death so that the “Ministration at the Time of Death” may be said over the body. Calls for these purposes can and should be made at any time of the day or night.

As soon as possible after the death, the Rector will meet with the next of kin to plan the details of the funeral service. All church members are strongly encouraged to record their wishes concerning their funeral service and file them with the parish office, as surviving family members are often unfamiliar with Anglican burial customs.

The funeral service is normally held in the church. Where possible, we strongly encourage bringing the body to the church for the funeral before it is taken for burial or cremation. A Requiem Mass is the appropriate service for one who was a communicant member of the Church.

Funerals and memorial services may be scheduled for any time of the year, except Sundays and times when the church is being prepared for major liturgies (for example, on Christmas Eve or Holy Saturday).

The form of the service will be the authorized liturgy found in The Book of Common Prayer. Only readings from Holy Scripture are permitted. Hymns are restricted to those in the Episcopal Church’s authorized hymnal.

The Rector or officiating priest will give a brief homily during the service. “Eulogies” are not part of the Anglican tradition. However, by prior arrangement with the Rector, personal reminiscences may be offered at an appropriate point in the service.

Excessive floral displays are discouraged. Instead of sending flowers to the church, it is appropriate to make a donation to the church or to charity in memory of the deceased.

There is no charge for funerals at S. Stephen’s. However, fees are payable to the organist, any other musicians, and the sexton.

CONFESSION

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available by appointment or upon request. It is also offered at regularly scheduled times before Christmas and Easter, and during parish Quiet Days.

Confessions are normally heard in one of the confessionals in the church, but may be heard in other private locations as well.

The traditional Anglican rule concerning Confession is “All may; some should; none must.” If any serious sin is bothering your conscience, you should definitely make your confession to a priest and receive absolution before receiving Holy Communion. Also, many parishioners find the discipline of regular confession an immense comfort and aid to spiritual growth.

Please consult the Rector or one of the priests for guidance on how to prepare for and make your confession.

CONFIRMATION

The apostolic laying-on-of-hands is normally administered at the Cathedral or at deanery-wide services at various churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island.

Each year, the Rector conducts classes for young people and adults desiring to be confirmed. Please consult with the Rector on the appropriate age for Confirmation.

Those already confirmed by a bishop in the apostolic succession – including individuals confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church or chrismated in the Eastern Orthodox Church – are not confirmed again but should be formally received into the Episcopal Church by the bishop during the Confirmation service.

HOLY COMMUNION

All persons who have been baptized with water in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and who recognize the Real Presence of our Lord’s Body and Blood in the consecrated elements of bread and wine, are in principle eligible to receive Holy Communion.

The Church expects those who receive Holy Communion to be duly prepared by way of repentance, prayer, and fasting at a level appropriate to their age and capability.

There is no minimum age for receiving Holy Communion at S. Stephen’s. In line with Episcopal Church policy and the practice of the ancient Church, children who have been baptized may receive Holy Communion as soon as they express the desire to do so and their parents agree that they are ready.

Upon request, the Rector will offer guidance and instruction to children and their parents in preparation for receiving Holy Communion for the first time.