Baptism
Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble. Holy Baptism is appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast.
Each candidate for Holy Baptism is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons.
Sponsors of adults and older children present their candidates and thereby signify their endorsement of the candidates and their intention to support them by prayer and example in their Christian life. Sponsors of infants, commonly called godparents, present their candidates, make promises in their own names, and also take vows on behalf of the infant candidates.
It is fitting that parents be included among the godparents of their own children. Parents and godparents are to be instructed in the meaning of Baptism, in their duties to help the new Christians grow in the knowledge and love of God, and in their responsibilities as members of his Church. (excerpts taken from The Book of Common Prayer, p.298)
Holy Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, on the Day of Pentecost, on All Saints’ Day or the Sunday after All Saints’ Day, and on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany) (The Book of Common Prayer, p.312). However, if you wish to choose another day, please contact our rector, Fr. Jerry.
Baptism is membership in the Body of Christ, the Church. All baptized persons are invited to receive communion and participate fully in the life of the Church. At Holy Spirit Verona, all baptisms are public services of worship. It is the way we welcome new Christians into our family and a great reason to gather to celebrate the life of our church and the life of Christ! There are no private baptisms celebrated, unless it is an emergency situation.
All baptisms require preparation. For adults, this means meeting with Fr. Jerry or another designated person for an inquiry into the faith of the Church and the person’s faith. For children and infants, this means the parents and godparents meeting with our priest or other designated person for an inquiry into the faith of the Church and the rearing of the child in this faith.
Each candidate for Holy Baptism is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons.
Sponsors of adults and older children present their candidates and thereby signify their endorsement of the candidates and their intention to support them by prayer and example in their Christian life. Sponsors of infants, commonly called godparents, present their candidates, make promises in their own names, and also take vows on behalf of the infant candidates.
It is fitting that parents be included among the godparents of their own children. Parents and godparents are to be instructed in the meaning of Baptism, in their duties to help the new Christians grow in the knowledge and love of God, and in their responsibilities as members of his Church. (excerpts taken from The Book of Common Prayer, p.298)
Holy Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, on the Day of Pentecost, on All Saints’ Day or the Sunday after All Saints’ Day, and on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany) (The Book of Common Prayer, p.312). However, if you wish to choose another day, please contact our rector, Fr. Jerry.
Baptism is membership in the Body of Christ, the Church. All baptized persons are invited to receive communion and participate fully in the life of the Church. At Holy Spirit Verona, all baptisms are public services of worship. It is the way we welcome new Christians into our family and a great reason to gather to celebrate the life of our church and the life of Christ! There are no private baptisms celebrated, unless it is an emergency situation.
All baptisms require preparation. For adults, this means meeting with Fr. Jerry or another designated person for an inquiry into the faith of the Church and the person’s faith. For children and infants, this means the parents and godparents meeting with our priest or other designated person for an inquiry into the faith of the Church and the rearing of the child in this faith.
Confirmation
About Confirmation
Confirmation is a sacramental rite by which we express a mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying-on of hands by the bishop. At Holy Spirit Verona, we delight in welcoming you to prepare for confirmation. We promise to do all in our power not only to make your confirmation a joyous event, but also to support you in your life in Christ. For specific information on scheduled classes, please contact Fr. Jerry. What if I was confirmed already? Those who were confirmed previously in another Christian faith tradition (such as Roman Catholic or Lutheran) and want to formally join the Episcopal Church may elect to "be received" in a very similar rite, often conducted concurrently with confirmations. |
Weddings
The love between two people becoming one is evidence of God’s self-giving love for all. Holy Spirit Verona joyfully celebrates couples who enter into a life-long unions and desire the blessing of God and the support of the Church to help them fulfill the vows that they make. As part of this commitment, it is hoped that couples participate in our parish life and worship - before, during and after the wedding itself.
Marriage is the most common sacrament non-members ask us to perform and we welcome these opportunities. In full accordance with the Canons of the Episcopal Church and in keeping with New Jersey state law, Holy Spirit Verona offers same-sex couples recognition and access to all sacraments including marriage. Preparation Couples thinking about celebrating their marriage at Holy Spirit Verona should meet with our priest as a first step before plans for the ceremony are made. Should either member of the couple be divorced, divorce papers must be submitted for review at the time of the request. A minimum of four months is required to prepare for the ceremony. Couples attend five pre-marital meetings followed by a rehearsal. Couples are invited to regularly join in Sunday worship as part of their preparation. |
Funerals
At Holy Spirit Verona, we welcome you to celebrate the life of a loved one in our church. We promise to do all in our power not only to make this funeral an appropriate event, but also to support you in your life in Christ and in the difficult transition you face. The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy, which finds all its meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, shall be raised. This joy does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorry when we are parted by death, and Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend.
Who can be buried from Holy Spirit?
Anyone.
Must we be active members or regular givers?
No. We welcome everyone. Period.
What must we do?
Please contact us as soon as you think there may be a need. Clergy can help, for instance, in the transition to hospice care, offering prayer and spiritual care to complement the work of trained medical professions. Clergy are also better able to preach at a funeral when it is the commendation of someone they have known.
What about the obituary notice?
This is your responsibility. If you are working with a funeral home, they may be able to assist. Please consider Holy Spirit Verona for memorial gifts in memory of the dearly departed.
What about burial?
Space for the interment of ashes is available in our Memorial Garden if you wish. There is no charge for active parish members; however, non-members are charged $1,000, which includes engraving the name on the interior wall of the Church.
Who plans the service?
In cases where no explicit plans have been made in advance, the immediate family of the deceased plan the liturgy in conjunction with the clergy. For those who wish to make known their wishes for their own eventual funeral, a guide is available from the parish office. Clergy are also ready to meet you with in person, if that is helpful.
What will the service be like?
We use the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer, which provides a number of options. Here are some decisions that are up to you: whether the body will be present or not, whether we will celebrate the Holy Communion or not, what hymns and readings we will use.
What about music?
Our music director ordinarily plays for all services held in the church, and our clergy will officiate. The clergy and musician will help you in selecting music and Scripture readings.
How much does a funeral cost?
There is no charge for this or any other sacramental rite. As a sign of God’s love freely bestowed upon all people, the rite for the burial of the dead comes without a price tag. Certain costs must be paid, including reasonable amount for building use and the services of staff, musicians, and clergy. (The building-use fee is waived for those currently supporting Holy Spirit Verona financially, including their immediate family.) Many people, however, feel called to make a monetary donation in thanksgiving for a loved one. A donation to the discretionary fund of the parish is both welcome and appreciated—and fully tax-deductible. Make checks payable to “Church of the Holy Spirit,” enter “Discretionary Fund” in the memorandum line, and give your donation directly to the priest.
What about flowers?
We welcome flowers from your florist or a funeral home. Whenever possible, funeral flowers are used as memorials for the life of the deceased and left for the following Sunday services.
What about a funeral director?
You may use the undertaker of your choice. In particular, these two local funeral homes are aware of our policies and procedures:
Prout Funeral Home (973) 239-2060
Shook's Funeral Home (973) 239-1489
How do I schedule a funeral?
Please contact our Rector, the Rev. Jerry A. Racioppi.
Who can be buried from Holy Spirit?
Anyone.
Must we be active members or regular givers?
No. We welcome everyone. Period.
What must we do?
Please contact us as soon as you think there may be a need. Clergy can help, for instance, in the transition to hospice care, offering prayer and spiritual care to complement the work of trained medical professions. Clergy are also better able to preach at a funeral when it is the commendation of someone they have known.
What about the obituary notice?
This is your responsibility. If you are working with a funeral home, they may be able to assist. Please consider Holy Spirit Verona for memorial gifts in memory of the dearly departed.
What about burial?
Space for the interment of ashes is available in our Memorial Garden if you wish. There is no charge for active parish members; however, non-members are charged $1,000, which includes engraving the name on the interior wall of the Church.
Who plans the service?
In cases where no explicit plans have been made in advance, the immediate family of the deceased plan the liturgy in conjunction with the clergy. For those who wish to make known their wishes for their own eventual funeral, a guide is available from the parish office. Clergy are also ready to meet you with in person, if that is helpful.
What will the service be like?
We use the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer, which provides a number of options. Here are some decisions that are up to you: whether the body will be present or not, whether we will celebrate the Holy Communion or not, what hymns and readings we will use.
What about music?
Our music director ordinarily plays for all services held in the church, and our clergy will officiate. The clergy and musician will help you in selecting music and Scripture readings.
How much does a funeral cost?
There is no charge for this or any other sacramental rite. As a sign of God’s love freely bestowed upon all people, the rite for the burial of the dead comes without a price tag. Certain costs must be paid, including reasonable amount for building use and the services of staff, musicians, and clergy. (The building-use fee is waived for those currently supporting Holy Spirit Verona financially, including their immediate family.) Many people, however, feel called to make a monetary donation in thanksgiving for a loved one. A donation to the discretionary fund of the parish is both welcome and appreciated—and fully tax-deductible. Make checks payable to “Church of the Holy Spirit,” enter “Discretionary Fund” in the memorandum line, and give your donation directly to the priest.
What about flowers?
We welcome flowers from your florist or a funeral home. Whenever possible, funeral flowers are used as memorials for the life of the deceased and left for the following Sunday services.
What about a funeral director?
You may use the undertaker of your choice. In particular, these two local funeral homes are aware of our policies and procedures:
Prout Funeral Home (973) 239-2060
Shook's Funeral Home (973) 239-1489
How do I schedule a funeral?
Please contact our Rector, the Rev. Jerry A. Racioppi.