Baptism
Baptisms are typically celebrated during or after the weekend Masses. Families are asked to contact the parish at 768-6543 to make arrangements.
Letters of Recommendation
To be a sponsor for a Sacrament
- One must be a baptized Catholic and confirmed, registered in the Parish and have been for the past six (6) months.
-
One must be attending Mass and receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist and Reconciliation (Confession) regularly, and must have made his Easter Duty that is receiving the Eucharist once a year during the Easter Season and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) at least once a year.
-
One must be sixteen (16) years of age and confirmed.
Non-Catholic Sponsors
- A baptiszed Christian who is practicing his Christian non-Catholic faith may act as a witness, not as a sponsor, as long as there is one Catholic Sponsor. This non-Catholic witness may not be a former Catholic.
Number of Sponsors Needed
- One Godparent is needed, two are allowed, but then they cannot be of the same sex.
Confirmation
Confirmation is celebrated once per year usually during the Easter Season. Candidates for this Sacrament are those who are in 10th grade and adults who have not yet celebrated the Sacrament. In both cases, preparation is necessary.
Eucharist (Communion)
Our young prepare for first communion in the third grade. It is ordinarily celebrated during the month of May.
Guidelines For Receiving Communion
For Catholics
- Catholics fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when they receive Holy Communion in fulfillment of Christ's command to eat His Body and drink His Blood. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, communicants should not be conscious of grave sin, have fasted for an hour, and seek to live in charity and love with their neighbors. Persons conscious of grave sin must first be reconciled with God and the Church through the sacrament of Penance. A frequent reception of the sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.
For Other Christians
- We welcome to this celebration of the Eucharist those Christians who are not fully united with us. It is a consequence of sad divisions in Christianity that we cannot extend to them a general invitation to receive Communion. Catholics believe that the Eucharist is an action of the celebrating community signifying a oneness in faith, life, and worship of the community. Reception of the Eucharist by Christians not fully united with us would imply a oneness which does not yet exist, and for which we must all pray.
For Those Not Receiving Communion
- Those not receiving Sacramental Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful. desire or unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.
For Non-Christians
- We also welcome to this celebration those that do not share our faith in Jesus. While we cannot extend to them an invitation to receive Communion, we do invite them to be united with us in prayer. Printed by order of the Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy National Conference of Catholic Bishops 1312 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005 November 8, 1986.
(First) Reconciliation
Our young parishioners prepare for this sacrament in 2nd grade. The celebration ordinarily takes place in March.
Anointing & Pastoral Care of the Sick
Anyone who is chronically ill, elderly or in danger of death can celebrate this sacrament.
Sick Calls
The shut-ins are visited once a month in their home so that they may receive Holy Communion. Emergency sick calls are accepted at any time. Those taking care of the shut-ins should prepare the room for the Eucharist thus: meet the priest at the door with a lighted candle, have a small table ready, covered with a white cloth, a cross, candle and holy water on it. The priest first blesses the home. Then if someone wishes to go to confession they may do so. Communion is then given to the sick person and to the person or persons who are caring for the sick person, provided they are not prohibited from receiving by the laws of the Church (See also Guidelines for receiving the Eucharist).
Marriage
Parishioners are asked to notify the pastor at least six months prior to the planned wedding day. A marriage preparation course is required of all couples.
Arranging Marriage Proceedure
When ready, call the parish for an appointment with the pastor. Both future bride and groom are expected to attend this meeting. At this first meeting, the priest will ask some required questions about the freedom to marry (meaning, one was not married before, etc.) and the date and time will be set forth in the parish book.
The marriage preparation program will take place within the first three (3) months of the initial meeting with the pastor. After the preparation if done, another appointment is made with the pastor for some more required questions. Then the practice and the joyful event.
Holy Orders
If you know of a man you believe would make a good candidate for the sacrament of Holy Orders [priesthood or the deaconate], tell that person of the gift you see in him and recommend him to the pastor.