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Baptism
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 (CCC 1213).
Parents: need to be members of the parish. Preparation classes are provided by the parish for the parents and godparents. 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 - 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:- Only Catholics can serve as Godparents at a Catholic Baptism.
- Godparents from this parish need to attend the Parish Baptism Program.
- Godparents from a different parish must provide a letter of approval from their home parish.
- There may be one or two Godparents. If there are two, one must be male and the other female. Both should be at least 18 years of age.
- Godparents are to be practicing Catholics, attend Mass each Sunday, and are fully initiated through the sacraments of Baptism, the Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. If married, they need to have been married in the Catholic Church by a Catholic priest or deacon
The above guidelines apply to children under age 7. Children ages 7 and older needing to be Baptized may receive the sacrament through the RCIA Program.
Baptism Registration Form ENG & SPA
2025 Baptism Schedule
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First Communion
First Communion: having become a child of God clothed with the wedding garment, the neophyte is admitted "to the marriage supper of the Lamb" and receives the food of the new life, the body and blood of Christ. The Catholic Church reserves admission to Holy Communion to those who have attained the age of reason, expresses the orientation of Baptism to the Eucharist by having the newly baptized child brought to the altar for the praying of the Our Father (CCC 1244).
Parents' 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.
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Reconciliation
The whole power of the sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession consists in restoring us to God's grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship. Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament. For those who receive the sacrament of Penance with contrite heart and religious disposition, reconciliation is usually followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation. Indeed, the sacrament of Reconciliation with God brings about a true "spiritual resurrection," restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God (CCC 1468).
Confession is held on Saturdays from 5:30 PM to 5:45 PM or weekdays by appointment.
First Confession: 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.
Children seeking to make their First Confession are to be in 2nd 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 Confession usually takes place in January of each year.
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Confirmation
Baptism, the Eucharist, and Confirmation together constitute the sacraments of Christian initiation, the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. By 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 (CCC 1285).
Candidates for Confirmation in the Diocese of Jackson are to be in the 10th or 11th 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.
Confirmation is typically held in the Fall. A church with sufficient capacity is chosen each year to host the celebration for all the parishes in the region.
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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 (CCC 1601)
The parties to a marriage covenant are a baptized man and woman, free to contract marriage, who freely express their consent; "to be free" means: 1) not being under constraint; 2) not impeded by any natural or ecclesiastical law (CCC 1625).
The Church holds the exchange of consent between the spouses to be the indispensable element that "makes the marriage." If consent is lacking there is no marriage (CCC 1626)
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 6 months prior to 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.
For wedding planning, please call the Parish Office.
Wedding Planner Sheet ENG
Wedding Reading Options ENG
Wedding Reading Options SPA
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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 (CCC 1499).
If a family member is ill at home, in hospice or is scheduled for a hospital procedure, please 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.
For Emergency Anointing or Last Rite, please call our priests at (901) 351-6591
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For more information on specific sacraments, please contact:
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For Baptism:
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Dcn. Ted Schrecknwms.evangelizationgmail.com - For First Communion, First Reconciliation, Confirmation:
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Victoria StirekYouthCordMS6gmail.comYouth Coordinator - For Reconciliation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and Funeral:
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Gretchen McAlexanderqueenopshsm.orgParish Secretary
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For Baptism:
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