The sacraments are for the living. Those receiving the sacraments need to be able to fully participate, respond and celebrate the sacred rites. The sacraments are public celebrations and therefore require the presence and participation of the community.
BAPTISM
Parents need to be members of the parish. Preparation classes are provided for the parents and godparents of the parish. Prospective parents may attend the class prior to the birth of the child. Parents must bring the State Birth Certificate of the child when registering their child for Baptism.
Godparents - Being a Godparent is a serious and sacred obligation. Parents should select the very best examples of the Catholic Faith as a support for themselves and as a living faith witness for the children they are honored to guide. Because of the serious obligation and responsibility held by Godparents, the church has established clear qualifications for those who are permitted to serve in this role. Parents must know these qualifications in order to make a proper selection of Godparents. Parents ought never to put the church in an awkward position because of uninformed choices. To guide those choices, the requirements are as follows:
Setting an Appointment to discuss the Baptism of your child
Please call or email Deacon Ted, Director of Evangelization, to schedule an appointment to discuss the Sacrament of Baptism for your child. (662) 342-1073 or [email protected]
FIRST COMMUNION
Parent requirements are the same as for First Reconciliation. Children must have participated in the First Reconciliation Preparation Program to be eligible for First Communion. First Communion usually takes place in the Spring.
RECONCILIATION
All parents, including those of Catholic school children, are required to attend a series of preparation classes so that they may become directly involved in preparing their children for the sacrament. The children are to be in second grade or above. They are expected to have attended either Catholic school or religious education classes the year of sacramental reception and the year previous to reception. First reconciliation usually takes place in the Fall of each year.
CONFIRMATION
Candidates in the Diocese of Jackson are to be in the tenth or eleventh grades. All students preparing for this sacrament, including our Catholic High School students, must attend the two year parish Confirmation Program prior to the reception of the sacrament. The parish Confirmation Program is held each Wednesday evening at 6:30PM.
**Confirmations are no longer held at individual parishes each year because of the distances and the few numbers. A church with sufficient capacity is chosen each year to host the celebration for all the parishes in the region.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
If a family member is ill at home, in hospice or is scheduled for a hospital procedure, call the parish office so the community can remember the sick member in prayer as well as confer the Sacrament of the Sick when requested.
MATRIMONY
The marriage of a Catholic is to take place in the Catholic Church before a Catholic Priest or Catholic Deacon. It is a courtesy to notify the parish and to register one’s intention to marry before making any other plans or arrangements. Generally, such notice should be given the parish six months or more before the intended or tentative date of the marriage. Catholics can marry in either the Catholic Church of the bride or the Catholic Church of the groom.
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. (CCC 1536)
Is God calling YOU to serve as a priest? Contact Fr. David at (662) 342-1073. He will be happy to talk with you.