Baptism - Couples expecting the birth of their first child should contact your local parish office at least 3 months prior to the due date so that they can participate in a baptism class. Baptisms are celebrated during the regular parish Mass or at another time arrange with the Pastor.

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."  Mathew 28:19

Why this Sacrament? Through baptism, men and women are incorporated into Christ. They are formed into God's people, and they obtain forgiveness for all their sins. They are raised from their natural human condition to the dignity of adopted children. They become a new creation through water and the Holy Spirit. Hence they are called, and they are indeed, the children of God (from "Christian Initiation – General Introduction").
          To have a child baptized is an incredible gift to him/her. In baptism, a child is claimed by Christ and given a pledge in the life of the Kingdom of God. The child is welcomed into the community called Church where he/she will grow in the love of God. This is an incredible gift, and for the parents of the child it brings with it a serious responsibility. It brings a responsibility and commitment on the part of parents to raise their child in the Catholic faith.
          Importantly, a decision to baptize a child should be one that comes out of the parents' own profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

Guidelines for choosing godparents
          Godparents act as representatives of the Church in welcoming the newly baptized - and more importantly, they act as models of Christian living for the newly baptized. They assist the parents in passing on the faith, and they assist the baptized in living out the faith. Choosing godparents is an important decision.

There are several requirements that should be considered when choosing godparents:

• Only one sponsor is required (male or female). Two godparents may be selected, in which case there must be one of each gender.
• In view of the ecclesial and educational role of godparents, ideally both should be Catholic with an active interest in the faith of your child.
• However, a baptized Christian of a non-Catholic community may be admitted as a "Christian Witness" as long as the other godparent is a Catholic.

Godparents should:

• Be sixteen years of age or older,
• Have received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist),
• Be practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church.

Matrimony - Engaged couples should contact the Pastor before setting a date to reserve the church and to determine freedom to marry. Marriage preparation sessions with the priest take at least 6 months.

Confessions - Scheduled confessions are 20 minutes before Mass. Communal penance services are celebrated in Advent and Lent. Other times are available by appointment.

Anointing of the Sick - Communal celebrations are conducted once a year. Those living in area nursing homes are anointed twice each year. If you are planning to have surgery or feel weak due to age or a progressive illness, contact the Pastor to celebrate this sacrament. Also call your parish office if you are hospitalized. The appropriate sacrament for those who are dying is Viaticum, that is, the Eucharist. Don’t hesitate to contact the Pastor or your local parish office at any time when a critical situation emerges.

Confirmation - Catechesis and the celebration of the sacrament take place on a parish level. Formation is a one year process. The sacrament is celebrated in a cluster Mass rotating each year in each parish with those in their sophomores year of high school or older after receiving proper formation.

Annulments - A Decree Of Invalidity is a decree by a Tribunal which states that the marriage in question, because of some defect, was never actually a marriage as understood by Catholic Church law. Please double click here to download the brochure about annulments.