About the Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism is necessary before one can receive any other sacrament. It is the first sacrament of Christian initiation which is completed with the sacraments of Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist.  Baptism was instituted by Christ when he was baptized by St. John the Baptist and when he commanded his apostles to go and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (MT 28:19) 
Baptism removes all sins committed after birth and original sin. It makes us children of God, members of the Church, and heirs to the kingdom of heaven. Baptism imprints an indelible character on the soul of the recipient and can be received only once.

Receiving the Sacrament

The Sacrament of Baptism is regularly celebrated and can be administered both during Mass or outside of Mass.

For adults, the Sacrament of Baptism is normally given after a period of preparation, usually through OCIA. Visit our OCIA page if you are an adult looking to be baptized in the Catholic Faith.

If you would like to schedule a child or infant baptism, please contact Karen in the parish office.  Parents are required to attend a baptism preparation class prior to scheduling a date for baptism. If a child is 8 years old or older, please contact Zavie George in Faith Formation. Additional classes for the child will be needed.  

Contact Karen, [email protected], for more information.

Choosing a Godparent

These are the qualities needed for someone to serve as a godparent, or “sponsor”: 

• Is a baptized Catholic who has received the Eucharist and has been Confirmed.
• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Is a practicing Catholic who participates in the Eucharistic celebration on Sundays.
• Gives a good example of living their Catholic faith.
• Willing to encourage the child to develop and grow in the Catholic faith.
• If there are two sponsors, one must be male and the other female. 
• The two godparents do not necessarily have to be of the same marriage.
• If they are living with someone like husband and wife, their marriage must be seen as valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church.
• A baptized non-Catholic may not be a sponsor but may serve as a Christian witness alongside a Catholic sponsor. Together they carry out the role of godparents in the baptism. 
• Non-baptized persons may not serve in the role of sponsors or witnesses.

About this Sacrament

The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant between a husband and wife. This covenant is a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. In the bond of Matrimony, husbands and wives give themselves totally and selflessly to one another for life: they are to love one another as Christ loves the Church. Any couple, one man and one woman, who are baptized and are free to marry may receive this sacrament. This means that the man and woman wishing to marry each other must meet the age requirements and any other requirements established by civil and church law.
The grace of this Sacrament perfects the love of husband and wife, binds them together in fidelity, and helps them welcome and care for children. Christ is the source of this grace and he dwells with the spouses to strengthen their covenant promises, to bear each other's burdens with forgiveness and kindness, and to experience ahead of time the "wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rev 19:9).

Receiving the Sacrament

Couples planning to be married should notify the parish office at least six months in advance of their wedding date. This will ensure adequate time to make arrangements and to complete the required sacramental marriage preparation program.
Contact the Parish Office for more information.

About this Sacrament

"[Jesus] calls [us] individually by name. Each one of us — clergy, religious, layperson, married, single, adult, child — has a personal vocation. God intends each one of us to play a unique role in carrying out the divine plan." U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults, pg. 452.
Men and women may be called to the religious life, single life, or married life. The sacrament of Holy Orders was instituted by Christ at the Last Supper. The grace of the sacrament imprints an indelible character on the soul of the recipient and configures him to Christ.
Only baptized men may receive the sacrament of Orders and only once in each of its degrees: deacon, priest, and bishop. Only men willing to embrace celibacy may be ordained as bishops and priests. Unmarried men may be ordained as deacons if they embrace celibacy. Married men may be ordained as deacons if they are willing never to marry again (even if a spouse should die).
The practice of ordaining only baptized men rests on the decision of Christ to call only men to these orders in the Church. Not even Mary, the Immaculate Conception, was called by Christ to be a deacon, priest, or bishop.
Please reach out to Fr. Patrick Gilbreath, the Archdiocesan Vocation Director to learn more information about ordained ministry or the religious life (communities for men and women). Also please reach out to our Pastor, particularly on the many ways you can be involved in our parish as you continue discerning.
Information can also be found on the Archdiocese of Mobile Website (mobarch.org/priesthood and mobarch.org/religious-life).