Sacraments
Marriage
One of the two Sacraments of Service, marriage is a bond of love in which a man and woman enter into a partnership for the whole of life. Couples thinking about marriage should talk to their local priest. We also offer pre-martial counseling, testing and Pre-Cana Conferences. The Pre-Cana Conferences are held on a Friday evening and Saturday day. For an application and times please click here or contact the office at 217-348-0188 or email newman@eiunewman.org
Holy Orders
The whole Church is a priestly people. Through Baptism all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ. This participation is called the “common priesthood of the faithful.” Based on this common priesthood and ordered to its service, there exists another participation in the mission of Christ: the ministry conferred by the sacrament of Holy Orders, where the task is to serve in the name and in the person of Christ the Head in the midst of the community. (#1591 Catechism of the Catholic Church)
There are three degrees of ordained ministry: deacons, priests, and bishops. The ordained ministry is vital to the life of the Church. Men are called forth to be in service to the people of God. If you believe you have a vocation or would like to discern whether you have a vocation to the diaconate or priesthood, please contact Fr. John Titus at 217-345-3332 or frjohn@saintcharleschurch.org.
A Word About Vocations
All people have a vocation. For some it is marriage, for others it is priesthood, and for others it is the vocation of consecrated life as a religious sister or brother. If you are discerning where God might be calling you at this time in your life, please do not hesitate to contact anyone on staff to aid you in your walk. God invites each of us into a life with Him/Her. The Newman staff can “reflect back to you” where God is leading you and offer you tools and resources to aid you in your walk. Please feel free to contact the staff.