Baptism
“For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free – and we were all given the one spirit to drink.” I Corinthians 12:13
We are excited you want to have your child baptized! Contact the parish office at 842-3594 to set up a meeting with Fr. Mark and register for classes. Attendance is required at two baptism classes, which are offered on Thursday evenings throughout the year.
Class One Schedule: September 27, January 31, April 25
Class Two Schedule: October 25, February 28, May 30
Baptisms are schedule on an individual basis and normally done within one of the weekend masses.
Baptism Forms
Sponsors should attend classes at St. Cecilia’s or their home parish. If they cannot attend classes, they should watch the following videos and complete the questions. Contact Cassie Wolfe to receive the questions.
- Pope Francis on the meaning of Baptism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9-bc1RfjsA&list=PL0idPXhx1uDby-dWlo_WIF6Vgja40brvC
- Bishop Barron on the Sacrament of Baptism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV8uu9-sYSk
- St. Michael’s Catholic Church: Baptism (the ritual) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD7kE8qUz5A&t=2s
First Communion & First Penance
Participation in the program for First Confession and First Holy Communion requires participation in regular Faith Formation through PREP or school in the second grade, as well as kindergarten and first grade.
Baptismal Certificate Request Form ( if baptized at another parish)
Register for Parish Religious Education Program (K-8) PREP Registration 2018.19
Confirmation
Through the anointing with the sacred chrism the baptized person is “enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit,” and more than ever “obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed” (Catechism 1285).
Confirmation classes will begin in January 2019 and will take place at the same time as Youth Group from 5:00-7:00 PM . Candidates for Confirmation should be baptized Catholic and 16 years old (or almost!). The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated at St. Cecilia Parish on Monday, April 29, 2019 at 7:00 PM. For more information, please contact Mary Feeney at madfeeney@gmail.com.
CONFIRMATION FORMS:
Confirmation Registration Form 2019
Confirmation Sponsor Form 2019
Request for Baptism Certificate 2019
Confirmation Retreat Permission Slip 2019
Notification of intent to marry must be given to the priest at least four to six months before marriage date. Marriage Preparation is required. At least one of the parties must be a registered member of the parish. Please contact Fr. Mark to begin preparations.
Learn more about dating and marriage!
Summary of the Sacraments
As a summary and aid here is a simple, handy table summarizing the seven sacraments. It contains brief comments about their biblical backgrounds, the words and actions involved, their effects, and who can administer each of them:
Sacrament |
Biblical Basis |
Central Words |
Central Actions |
Effects |
Ministers |
| BAPTISM | Matt 28:19 – Jesus commissions the apostles: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”; John 3:22; 4:1-2 – Jesus’ first disciples baptize other disciples; Acts 2:38-41; 10:47-48 – new believers are baptized “in the name of Jesus” by Peter & others; (not just Jesus’ own baptism: Mark 1:9-11 & par.) |
“I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:19) |
The candidate is immersed in water, or water is poured over the candidate’s head. | Becoming a member of the Church of Christ (Christian Initiation); also being forgiven of one’s sins. | Bishops, Priests, Deacons; any Christian (in case of urgent need) |
| EUCHARIST | Mark 14:22-25; Matt 26:26-30; Luke 22:14-23; 1 Cor 11:23-25 – Jesus’ “Last Supper” with his disciples; John 6: 48-58 – the end of the Bread of Life discourse: “eat my flesh; drink my blood”; Luke 24:35; Acts 2:42 – Christians gather for the “Breaking of the Bread” |
“This is my body… This is my blood…” (the “Words of Institution” from the Last Supper) |
The bread and wine are blessed/consecrated by the minister and received/shared by the communicants. | Being spiritually nourished by Christ’s body and blood; being united (“in communion”) with Christ and other believers. | Bishops or Priests |
| CONFIRMATION | John 20:22 – “(Jesus) breathed on them (the disciples) and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit'”; Acts 8:17; 19:6 – believers receive the Spirit, esp. through laying on of the apostle’s hands Acts 10:44-48 – the coming of the Spirit is closely associated with the Baptism of new believers |
“(Name), be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” | Laying on of hands (the bishop lays his hands on the head of the confirmand). | Being strengthened by the Holy Spirit; being “confirmed” in the fullness of the Christian faith. | Bishops; in some cases also Priests |
| PENANCE/ RECONCILIATION |
John 20:23 – “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”; Matt 16:19; 18:18 – more sayings on “binding and loosing”; James 5:16 – “confess your sins to one another” |
“I forgive you of all of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (the “Words of Absolution“) |
The penitent confesses his sins, expresses contrition, and proposes amendment; the confessor suggests a penance and speaks the words of absolution. | Begin forgiven of one’s sins; being reconciled to God the Church, and other people. | Bishops or Priests |
| ANOINTING OF THE SICK | Mark 6:7-13 – Jesus’ disciples “anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them”; James 5:14-16 – “call for the elders of the church and have them pray over (the sick), anointing them with oil in the names of the Lord.” |
“Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.” | The minister anointing the sick persons forehead and hands with blessed oil | Being strengthened in time of illness. | Bishops or Priests |
| MATRIMONY/ MARRIAGE | Gen 2:24 – “a man leaves his parents and clings to his wife and they become one flesh”; Mark 10:2-12; Matt 19:1-9 – Jesus teaches against divorce; “What God has joined together, let no one separate”; Eph 5:22-33; 1Cor 7:10-16 – Paul stresses the unity of husbands and wives; (not simply Jesus’ presence at the wedding at Cana, John 2:1-11) |
“I, (name), take you, (name), to be my husband/wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.” (or a similar formula) |
The husband and wife make these promises to each other publicly. (Rings are exchanged as a visible sign of this verbal commitment.) | Being united (“one flesh”) in God’s eyes; becoming a publicly and legally recognized couple. | the couple themselves! (clergy are just the official witnesses) |
| HOLY ORDERS (Ordination of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons) |
Mark 3:13-19 & par. – Jesus “calls” and “appoints” the 12 apostles; Acts 6:6; 1 Tim 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim 1:6 – “laying on of hands” as the “ordaining” or commissioning rite of local Christian leaders |
A long “Prayer of Consecration” | The bishop lays his hands on the ordinand’s head; he also anoints his hands and performs several other symbolic gestures | Becoming a member of the “ordained” clergy, the church’s official leadership “orders” | Bishops only |
| Sacrament | Biblical Basis | Central Words | Central Actions | Effects | Ministers |
Get to know Archbishop Paul Etienne
A letter from Archbishop J. Peter Sartain
Perpetual Adoration streamed live from Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
Come Pray the Rosary: Click the button the pray the Rosary either by yourself or with others. (Best on laptop or home computer).
