BAPTISM

For infants-3 year olds

On the second Tuesday of each month parent interviews are held between 6:00pm-7:00pm in the Parish Hall. Families should be registered in the parish and worshipping with the parish community at Mass for at least three months prior to the baptism. Parents are asked to bring a copy of their child's birth certificate to the interview as this is required for the baptismal records. 

A  baptism class for Parents & Godparents  is held in the Church from 7:00pm-8:00pm. Spanish classes offered in Spanish are on the third Tuesday of the month and in English on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Once all paperwork and requirements are met, parents may schedule their child's baptism. Baptisms are celebrated every Saturday morning at 9:30am. On the first Saturday of the month, baptisms are celebrated in Spanish at 11:00am.

For more information contact Kimberly McFadden or Christine Ikels at 830-625-4531. 

For 3-6 year olds

Children between the ages of 3 and 6 years of age need to be enrolled in the relgious education program or Catholic school prior to reception of baptism. This allows time for them to learn the life of Christ and foster a desire for the sacrament. At the time of registration please indicate that you wish to have your child in the baptism preparation program as well. Twice each year, once in the Fall and once in the Spring, children to be baptized and their parents attend a session on baptism. Following this session, families choose a date for reception of the sacrament.

For 7-17 year olds
Please visit Christian Initiation of Children.

FIRST RECONCILIATION  & FIRST COMMUNION

The Archdiocese of San Antonio requires attendance in the religious education program or Catholic School for two years.

First grade lays the foundation for the immediate preparation in second grade. During the First Grade year basic stories from the life and teachings of Jesus are presented, the basic prayers introduced and Baptism as the sacrament bringing us into God's family, the Chruch is presented. During Second Grade the Fall classes focus is on preparation for first Confession which is celebrated in January. Preparation for first Communion begins in January with first communion celebrations taking place after Easter.

Children starting in second grade or later attend the regular weekly religious education classes with their grade level peers. In addition four parent-child sessions are held to prepare for the sacraments during each of the two years of year of preparation.  At these sessions  materials are given for the families to work on at home with their children. 

For a detailed outline of the preparation click here to go to the First Reconciliation & First Communion page.

What about adults who need First Reconciliation and First Communion?  Please visit the RCIA page for more information. 
 

RECONCILIATION

Regular scheduled times for Reconciliation are Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the church.  You may also make an appointment with the priest for a time for Reconciliation.
 

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation is normally a two year program beginning in the 9th grade.
Students who desire this Sacrament will attend our Life Teen program on Sunday evenings. During the second year of preparation we use Chosen (a Confirmation program designed by Ascension Press).
Confirmation will be conferred every year for candidates who have completed the two year program, or sufficient instruction, this is usually in the 10th grade.
 

For more information on Confirmation check out High School Confirmation or contact Amanda Smith at 830-625-4531 ext. 202  or amandasmith@sppnb.org
 

ADULT CONFIRMATION
Are you an adult who was never confirmed?  We offer two nine-week sessions in February and September for adults (18 year old high school graduates and older) who have been baptized and celebrated their First Communion. Adults are then confirmed at one of the several Confirmation Liturgies offered by the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Adults interested in recieving the Sacrament of Confirmation should contact Kimberly McFadden at (830) 625-4531 ext. 201 or kimberlymcfadden@sppnb.org

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

"Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God. It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern in his life what is not essential so that he can turn toward that which is. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to him." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1501)

Therefore we have the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. It gives one grace as strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that are associated with disease, illness and dying. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Sacrament of the Sick can be arranged by contacting the Parish office making a time with the priest to come to the home or hospital, or for a time to come to the parish.

The Sacrament of the Sick is offered the First Friday of each month at the 8:00 a.m. Mass.
 

Please click here for details on Marriage Preparation and Planning details.

Psalm 109:4 "The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech."

John 20:19-23 "Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained."

Acts 6:3,6 "Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business...These they set before the apostles; and they praying, imposed hands upon them."

II Timothy 1:6 (St. Paul to Timothy, whom he ordained) "For which cause I admonish thee, that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee, by the imposition of my hands."

St. Francis of Assisi (later quoted by St. John Vianney): "If I saw an Angel and a priest, I would bend my knee first to the priest and then to the Angel."

 In the Latin Church, there are seven clerical orders, all mentioned together ¹ in the historical record by Eusebius (b. A.D. 260) in the 43rd Chapter of the 6th Book of his "Church History." The lowest 5 are ecclesiastical in origin; the higher two are of divine origin. The  seven orders are, in descending rank:

• I: Priests:
  • Bishops: The First Degree of the Priesthood:
    Bishops have the greatest authority and jurisdiction (aside from Popes and Patriarchs), and have the powers to ordain men into the diaconate and priesthood, and to offer the Sacrament of Confirmation (this last power they can delegate to a priest), to dedicate churches and altars, to consecrate chalices and patens and bells, and to preside at the benediction of abbots. They are said to exercise the fullness of the priesthood. The symbol of this office is the mitre.
  • Priests: The Second Degree of the Priesthood
    The duties and powers of the priest are to confect the Eucharist at the Mass; offer the Sacraments of Penance, Communion, and Unction; to preside at the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony; to solemnly baptize; to preach; to teach, guide, and sanctify his sheep. With ordination to the priesthood, a man has received the fullness of the Sacrament of Order. The symbols of this office are the stole, the chasuble, a paten with bread on it, and a Chalice filled with wine.
• II: Deacons:
  The duties of the deacon are to handle the sacred vessels, to be of service to the priests and Bishops (inside and outside of the liturgy), to read the Epistle and Gospel at the Mass, to be general stewards, and to serve the widows and orphans. This Order is Sacramental, and the first of the three divinely-instituted grades of the hierarchy of Orders, the others being the priesthood and the episcopate. The symbols of this office are the dalmatic, the stole (worn over the left shoulder, as opposed to around the neck as priests wear them, and under the dalmatic), and the Book of the Gospels.