Welcome to Our Lady of Mercy Maronite Church

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.  Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." (CCC, no. 1213)

Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation", whose unity must be safeguarded.

It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For "by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.

Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed." (CCC, no. 1285)