Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), 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: 'Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.' This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out: to baptize (Greek Baptizein) means to 'plunge' or 'immerse'; the 'plunge' into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as 'a new creature.' This sacrament is called "the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit,' for it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one 'can enter the kingdom of God.'"- (CCC 1213-1215)

A baptismal preparation class is required for parents ans sponsors. Contact  Father or a Deacon at the office for information.

The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist. 'At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.'' The Eucharist is 'the source and summit of the Christian life.' 'The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.' The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being. It is the culmination both of God's action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit' (CCC 1322-1325).

First Communion normally occurs in 2nd grade. Those who are older than 9 but younger than 18 need to attend RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children). Those older than 18 need to attend RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults).

Contact <<WHO>> for more information on First Communion.

Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.' It is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus' call to conversion, the first step in returning to the Father from whom one has strayed by sin. It is called the sacrament of Penance, since it consecrates the Christian sinner's personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction. It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a 'confession'—acknowledgment and praise—of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man. It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the penitent 'pardon and peace.' It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: 'Be reconciled to God.' He who lives by God's merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord's call: 'Go; first be reconciled to your brother' (CCC 1422-1424).

Those wishing to receive first reconciliation who have never received the sacrament of reconciliation need to contact Father or a Deacon for sacramental preparation information.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation takes place one half hour before mass on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, or by appointment.

Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the 'sacraments of Christian initiation,' whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For 'by the sacrament of 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.' Anointing with oil has all these meanings in the sacramental life. The pre-baptismal anointing with the oil of catechumens signifies cleansing and strengthening; the anointing of the sick expresses healing and comfort. The post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in Confirmation and ordination is the sign of consecration. By Confirmation Christians, that is, those who are anointed, share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit with which he is filled, so that their lives may give off 'the aroma of Christ'. (CCC 1285, 1294)

Youth Confirmation takes place when young Catholics, who have already received the Sacraments of Baptism and first Communion, are in the 10th grade.

For more information about our Confirmation program please call <<our Religious Education Office at PHONE#.>>

Adult Confirmation is received by those who have never been Confirmed but have already received the Sacraments of Baptism and first Communion.

For more information about this program please call <<the parish office at PHONE#.>>

Marriage as an institution of nature is considered by Christian theology to be essentially good because it was founded by the Creator at the beginning of human history.
As a sacrament, it is a means of encountering Christ in a special way and of bringing about the salvation of the spouses. The theology of Vatican II and the revised Code of Canon Law (1983) refer to marriage as a vocation (Canon 226.1), through which married persons work for the building up of the Body of Christ in a special way.
Marriage as a commitment or act is acknowledged in both civil society and law and Church society and law. This is primarily because of the role it plays in the welfare of Church and society. For this reason, both secular and religious institutions have enacted laws for the regulation of marriage. These laws treat of requirements for marriage as well as standards for the way spouses relate to and treat each other.

PREPARATION FOR THE SACRAMENT

Couples preparing for the sacrament will inform the priest at least six months in advance. They will attend one of the marriage programs offered. At least one person in the couple will be a baptized Christian, or, if not baptized, willing to receive instructions and be baptized.  If the couples are not members of the parish they will be willing to become members, and be registered in the Church before their wedding.  Couples are advised to check with the priest before setting the date for the sacrament.  “Management” we should remember “does not sustain marriage.  It is only God that can and does ‘FIX’ all marriages.  Couples will learn to let go for God to bless their marriage.”

It should be borne in mind that all emphasis should be on the spiritual benefits that the celebration of the sacrament brings rather than on the temporal and material benefits. The Sacrament of Marriage is the covenant of a Man and a Woman committed to each other through Christ, involving a partnership of Life and Love.

HOW TO GET STARTED IN YOUR MARRIAGE PREPARATION

Preparing for Marriage means making the effort of getting to know yourself and your partner better so you can build a marriage that is right for both the of you.  It involves everyone by being able to understand, communicate, recognize, grow, explore and share in this relationship that is marked by three very special qualities: Fidelity, Commitment and Permanence. Why is it important to prepare for marriage? Because getting married may be the most important decision you will make. Preparing for marriage now will help you feel more secure in your new role as wife or husband. It will also help you recognize and avoid common pitfalls, resolve conflict so small problems will not become major ones. Creating for you and your spouse a lifestyle that is mutually satisfying. With your effort now, you can create a marriage that is lasting and loving! Here are some helpful reminders to assist you in getting started.

CONTACT YOUR PASTOR

A six month notice is required. Contact Father or a Deacon for more information.

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate. The word order in Roman antiquity designated an established civil body, especially a governing body. Ordinatio means incorporation into an ordo. In the Church there are established bodies which Tradition, not without a basis in Sacred Scripture, has since ancient times called taxeis (Greek) or ordines. And so the liturgy speaks of the ordo episcoporum, the ordo presbyterorum, the ordo diaconorum. Other groups also receive this name of ordo: catechumens, virgins, spouses, widows. Integration into one of these bodies in the Church was accomplished by a rite called ordinatio, a religious and liturgical act which was a consecration, a blessing or a sacrament. Today the word 'ordination' is reserved for the sacramental act which integrates a man into the order of bishops, presbyters, or deacons, and goes beyond a simple election, designation, delegation, or institution by the community, for it confers a gift of the Holy Spirit that permits the exercise of a 'sacred power' (sacra potestas) which can come only from Christ himself through his Church. Ordination is also called consecratio, for it is a setting apart and an investiture by Christ himself for his Church. The laying on of hands by the bishop, with the consecratory prayer, constitutes the visible sign of this ordination (CCC 1536-1538).
 
If you would like to learn more about the Priesthood or Diaconate and if you know someone who would like to learn more, please contact one of the priests at the parish or:

Diocese of Austin Vocation Office:
P O Box 15405
Austin, TX 78761-5405
(512) 949-2430
Diocesan Vocation Website

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 he People  of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion  and death of Christ." - CCC 1499

Who should receive the Anointing of the Sick? "The Anointing of the Sick 'is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly arrived.' If a sick person who received this annointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness recive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the person's condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is fitting to receive the Annointing of the Sick just prior to serious operation. The same holds for elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced" (CCC 1514-1515).

Who administers this Sacrament? "Only priests (bishops and presbyters) are ministers of the Anointing of the Sick" (CCC 1516).
 
If you or your loved one becomes seriously ill, please call the office <<(512-444-7587)>> to schedule an anointing. <<Annointing of the Sick is offered at the end of a healing mass every third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM in Spanish in the Church and at the end of a healing mass evcry last Monday of the month at 7:00 PM in English in the Sacred Heart Chapel.>>