Sacraments

Baptism

Baptism initiates someone into the Catholic faith and bestows God's grace. Please fill out the form at this link and someone from our Sheil Team will reach out to you.

First Communion

The Sacrament of the Eucharist commemorates the Last Supper, the final meal that Jesus shared with His disciples, which is the source and summit of our liturgical prayer. In the Catholic tradition, the bread and wine that are consecrated during Mass become the Most Precious Body and Blood of Christ. The Sheil Catholic Center celebrates the Eucharist regularly during Mass, but also administers First Communion to both second grade students and adults. Second grade students take First Communion after preparation through the Sheil School of Religion and adults can prepare for First Communion with Sheil's OCIA program.

Reconciliation

In the Catholic Church, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Penance or Confession) is the way in which individuals repent of their sins and are provided an opportunity reconcile one's heart with God. Reconciliation encourages a deeply personal examination of your life, which is then shared with the priest in a confidential session where your sins are absolved. Reconciliation is available on the Chicago campus by appointment. Please email Fr. Bradley here to schedule a time. Reconciliation is available on the Evanston campus as part of Harbor on Wednesdays from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the academic year. You can see the full schedule of days here or schedule an appointment with Fr. Bradley here.

Youth Confirmation

During the Sacrament of Confirmation, the laying on of hands and anointing of a candidate bestows the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and welcomes a candidate into full membership of the Catholic Church. The Sheil Catholic Center administers the Sacrament of Confirmation to eighth grade students after preparation through the Sheil School of Religion. Learn more at our Sheil School of Religion page.

Adult Confirmation

Adult Confirmation classes are for practicing Catholics who have already received the sacraments of Baptism and First Communion and would like to take the next step in their sacramental journey and be confirmed in one's faith. For more information, see our OCIA page.

Order of Christian Initiation for Adults

Order of Christian Initiation for Adults is designed for adults who are not baptized in another faith or baptized in the Catholic Church, but with no further religious training or sacraments. OCIA offers a chance to learn more about the Catholic Church through scripture, teaching and discovering where God is present in your life. We will explore the Catholic tradition through scripture, sacraments, Church teaching, and social outreach in the context of the vibrant Catholic faith community of the Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University. Visit our OCIA page more information.

Marriage

The sacrament of Marriage, or Matrimony, is seen as a sign of the love uniting Christ and the Church. It establishes between the spouses a permanent and exclusive bond that is sealed by God. The Sacrament confers on the couple the grace they need to attain holiness in their married life and to responsibly accept and raise their children. The Sheil Catholic Center’s Chapel is available to students, recent alumni, Sheil associates and their children for weddings. Scheduling must be made at least six months prior to the planned wedding date. Catholic couples must undergo a course called Pre-Cana before being married in a Catholic church. Sheil can connect engaged couples to one-time Pre-Cana weekends or Sheil Associates who facilitate six weekly Pre-Cana sessions prior to the wedding.  Sheil recommends FOCCUS – a one-on-one couple and counselor assessment that focuses on various areas of communication between partners. Some dioceses require this, so please check with the diocese in which you are getting married. To learn more, schedule a wedding, inquire about FOCCUS, or enroll in Pre-Cana, please call Fr. Bradley at 847.328.4648 or email him here.

Ordination

College is a very formative time in the life of young people. In fact, many young men have discovered their call to service in the Church as an ordained priest during their time of study. There are priests who are serving the People of God around the world who discovered their call to the priesthood right here at the Sheil Catholic Center. If you think the Spirit might be nudging you to discern the priesthood, reach out to Fr. Bradley at at 847.328.4648 or email him here. He spent time on the faculty of Mundelein Seminary and has experience in accompanying those who are discerning this call of service and would be more than willing to chat with you.

Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing offered to those who are seriously ill in order to bring hope, courage and peace to those who receive it. The Sacrament is made more powerful by the presence and support of the surrounding community. Anyone who is seriously ill can be anointed, including: elderly who become weaker, even if no illness is present; those waiting for surgery when a serious condition is the reason for the operation; sick children who have sufficient use of reason to be helped by the celebration; those who are unconscious or who have lost the use of reason, provided that they probably would have asked for the Sacrament had they the use of their faculties; and those suffering with serious mental illness, provided that they will be helped and not harmed by the Sacrament. For more information about Anointing of the Sick, or if you have questions or concerns, please contact Sheil at 847-328-4648.