Sacraments
Baptism
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 and in the word.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1217)
Baptism preparation consists of one-on-one meetings of the parents with the pastor or deacon in order to help parents understand their commitment of faith in bringing their child into the Christian community. To schedule your appointment, please call the church office at 262-7304.
First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion
The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” “The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1324)
Children in second grade attending the parish catechetical program will receive special preparation to celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Children need to have received at least one year of religious instruction prior to starting their sacramental preparation. The sacrament of First Reconciliation will be celebrated in January, while First Holy Communion will be on the first Sunday in May. Special preparation sessions for both parents and children will be held prior to the celebration of each sacrament.
Confirmation
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.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1285)
The sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in the 11th grade. The teen must be enrolled in a Catholic high school or the parish catechetical program. Our parish Confirmation formation is a two year process and starts with our Penance.
Penance
“Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1422)
The Sacrament of Penance is available Tuesday thru Friday from 11:45 am to 12-noon and Saturdays from 4:30 pm to 5:15 pm. Please call the church office (262-7304) if you would like to schedule an appointment or to have your Confession heard before 11:45am.
Marriage
“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1601)
Marriage preparation should begin at least six (6) months before the wedding date. Call the church office at 262-7304 to schedule an appointment with the pastor or deacon.
Anointing of the Sick
“By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1499)
In the event of serious illness, death or other sacramental emergency, please call the church office at 334-262-7304. Parishioners who anticipate having surgery are strongly encouraged to arrange to receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick before they enter the hospital.
Holy Orders
“Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1536)
If you feel God’s calling to become a priest or enter the religious life, call the church to schedule an appointment with the pastor or contact Fr. Victor Ingalls, Director of Priestly Vocation for the Archdiocese of Mobile at [email protected].