What are Sacraments?

“The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.” 

Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1131

Baptism

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the spirit, 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.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1213

Requirements: 

• Child must not have been baptized
• Consent of at least one parent
• Registered as a member of the parish. If unregistered and members of another parish, a letter from the pastor of their proper parish granting permission
• Baptismal Preparation course 

Requirements for Godparents: 

• Be at least 16 years old and confirmed
• A letter of good standing with registered church
• Baptismal Preparation course . 

Our parish offers this class on a Monday at 6:30 PM:  January, April, July & October

Classes are held at St. Mary Faith Formation Building.

Eucharist

The Eucharist is “a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet, the source and summit of the Christian life, the sum and summary of our faith: ‘Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking.’”

Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1323, 1324, 1327

First Communion:  Sacrament preparation is open to students in second grade through our faith formation program.  During this year, students will receive Reconciliation before receiving First Communion in the spring. 

Click here for more information on Faith Formation

Mass Time: 

8:30 AM           Wednesday-Friday, St. Mary Church

4:00 PM           Saturday, St. Mary Church

7:00 AM          St. Mary Church

9:00 AM          St. Martin dePorres Church

11:00 AM        St. Mary Church

Reconciliation

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

Reconciliation is offered Saturday starting at 3:00 PM or by appointment.  Please call the office at 409-794-2548 if you’d like to schedule an appointment.

Examination of Conscience

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 spend and defend the faith by word and deed.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1285

St. Mary & St. Martin Confirmation

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

If you or your loved one become seriously ill, please call the office at 409-794-2548 as soon as possible. 

Matrimony

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

You are required to meet with Father 6 months prior to getting married.  Please call the office at 409-794-2548 to make an appointment.

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       

Interested in priesthood religious life Contact Fr. Rodel at 409-924-4360