Infant Baptism

Baptisms are generally held on Sundays, after the 10:30 a.m. Mass. At least one parent must be an actively participating, registered and contributing member of St. Edmond Parish. Parents must attend at least one Baptism Preparation Session if they are asking for their first child to be baptized. Call the parish office at 302-227-4550 at least 3 months prior to desired Baptism date. Baptism sponsors must be confirmed practicing Catholics in good standing in the Catholic Church and if not St. Edmond's Parishioners, must provide a letter of good standing from the parish where they are registered.

Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is offered on Saturdays from 9:15  – 10:00 a.m. in the Sacristy. Parish Reconciliation Services are also held during the seasons of Advent and Lent. Call the parish office at 302-227-4550 to arrange for additional times.

Has it been a long time since you've been to confession? Do you wonder why confession is really even necessary?

Holy Communion

Holy Communion is the center of every Catholic liturgy. Catholics understand that reception of Holy Communion is offered as part of every Mass. First Holy Communion is celebrated for second graders in May of each year. Call the Religious Education Office at 302-227-4553 for additional information. Need a refresher on how to receive the Holy Eucharist? Watch here: How to recieve the Eucharist.

Marriage

At least one member of the marrying couple must be practicing Roman Catholic. Arrangements must begin at a minimum of one year in advance. Participation in Pre-Cana or Engaged Encounter is required. Call the parish office (302-227-4550) at least 12 months prior to desired marriage date to arrange a meeting with one of the priests or deacons. Additional information regarding the sacramental nature of Catholic Marriage is also available at the Diocese of Wilmington Office for Marriage and Family Life webpage and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops webpage.



MARRIAGE PREPARATION IN THREE EASY STEPS 
 
STEP ONE – couple should contact parish/pastor or marrying clergy
Couples should contact their pastor, priest or deacon as soon as possible to assist with marriage preparation. If they are not parishioners in the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, they should reach out to the pastor of the parish in which they are preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. The couple should communicate with their marrying clergy regularly to ensure that everything is in order concerning the sacrament. Couples are encouraged to speak with their pastor, priest or deacon to learn more about how to get involved in the parish community. Marrying clergy should then connect them with the Diocesan Office for Marriage and Family Life to begin the process of registering for the approved Pre-Cana program requirement in the Diocese of Wilmington.
 
STEP TWO – speak with representative in the Office for Marriage and Family Life
The Diocese of Wilmington provides an excellent educational component, Life Skills for Couples, through Ascension Press, as the required marriage preparation course in the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. Life Skills for Couples is specifically designed to introduce the couple to the rich and engaging teachings of the Catholic faith and the Sacrament of Matrimony. Throughout this process, the couple will gain insight into themselves as individuals and as part of a couple. Practical advice and spiritual resources will be shared with the couple that will support a life-long and joyful Catholic marriage. 
After the couple registers for the online Pre-Cana course, materials will be sent to them via mail for the self-completion part of the Diocesan approved program. After the completion of the 90 minute virtual session, the couples will complete an evaluation of the program and receive their certificates via email. Those certificates should then be presented to the marrying clergy as recognition of the completion of the Diocese of Wilmington Pre-Cana program.

STEP THREE – participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Office for Marriage and Family Life encourage all couples to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation since the Church invites all Catholics to prepare themselves spiritually prior to their marriage by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The regular practice of the Sacrament of Reconciliation keeps marriages healthy and strong.