Sacraments
BAPTISM (Initiation)
The Church believes and teaches that Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ, and we are members one of another. The Sacrament of Baptism “incorporates us into the Church. From the baptismal fonts is born the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or human limits of nations, cultures, races, and sexes: For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body" (CCC# 1267).
For Catholics, Baptism is the beginning of new life into Christ, and it is the sacrament of salvation and the door to all other sacraments.
In order to prepare for an infant or young child's baptism (ages birth through 6) it is necessary to complete the following steps:
Contact our office at 941-624-3799 at least six weeks prior to the anticipated Baptism. You are encouraged to contact us prior to the child’s birth. You must be registered in the Parish.
Adult Baptisms take place as part of the OCIA process. For information regarding adult baptisms, please visit our OCIA page.
Child Baptisms for children between 7 and 17 years of age take place as part of the OCIC process. For information regarding OCIC please contact Joyce Barrett at 941-624-3799 or email joyce.barrett@sanantoniorcc.org
To learn more about the Sacrament of Baptism on the USCCB website click here
EUCHARIST (Initiation)
The Church believes and professes that “By the consecration the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ…and under the consecrated species of bread and wine Christ himself, living and glorious, is present in a true, real, and substantial manner: his Body and his Blood, with his soul and his divinity” (CCC# 1413).
For Catholics, the Eucharist is the "source and summit" of the Christian life (cf. CCC# 1324).
Children eligible to receive First Communion are those who have reached the “age of reason” – that is, are at least 7 years old and are in 2nd grade. Families who are registered parishioners with our parish and desire their child to receive First Communion need to ensure their child receives the required 2 years of Sacramental Catechesis for First Reconciliation and First Communion, via our religious education program.
A copy of the child's baptismal certificate will be required.
Please call the office at (941) 624-3799.
To learn more about the Sacrament of the Eucharist click here.
CONFIRMATION (Initiation)
The Church believes and testifies that “Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds” (CCC# 1316).
For Catholics, Confirmation provides a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which helps the confirmed Catholics witness to Christ and live a mature Christian life.
Please call the office at (941) 624-3799.
Does your child need Confirmation Prep? Click here
To learn more about the Sacrament of Confirmation click here
CONFESSION/RECONCILIATION / PENANCE (Healing)
Reconciliation is an experience of the gift of God's boundless mercy.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Penance or Confession). The Church believes that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a “whole consisting in three actions of the penitent and the priest's absolution. The penitent's acts are repentance, confession or disclosure of sins to the priest, and the intention to make reparation and do works of reparation” (CCC# 1491).
For Catholics, the bishops and priests, by virtue of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, have the power to forgive all sins by saying the Trinitarian formula, “I absolve you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Saturday 2:30pm until all are heard.
Thursday 6:30 pm with adoration.
Also by Appointment call the Parish Office at 941-624-3799
To learn more about the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation click here
ANNOINTING OF THE SICK (Healing)
The Church believes and teaches that the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick offers the comfort of God's grace to those who are in danger of death because of illness or old age. Also, by the grace of this Sacrament, “the sick person receives the strength and the gift” to join more closely of his or her sufferings to Christ and to prepare for death (cf. CCC# 1521).
In addition to the Anointing of the Sick, the Church offers “those who are about to leave this life the Eucharist as viaticum. Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received at this moment of ‘passing over’ to the Father, has a particular significance and importance” (CCC# 1524).
Annointing Mass is the last Wednesday of the month following the 8:00 AM Mass for all who would like to be annointed.
Please call the Parish Office to request other times at 941-624-3799
To learn more about the Sacrament of the Annointing of the Sick click here
MARRIAGE (Service)
The Sacrament of Matrimony (also known as the Sacrament of Holy Marriage) allows a man and a woman publicly to express their consent and to join together in a life-long covenant of self-giving love. The Church teaches that in this covenant and love, the couples live out the essences of “unity, indissolubility, and openness to fertility” which are essential to marriage and constitute that they are “no longer two, but one flesh” (cf. CCC# 1644).
Arrangements with a priest must be made at least six months in advance.
Couple must be registered parishioners and attending mass for at least three months.
Please call the office to enroll in Marriage Prep classes at (941) 624-3799.
HOLY ORDERS (SERVICE)
The Church confers that the Sacrament of Holy Orders “only on baptized men, whose suitability for the exercise of the ministry has been duly recognized. Church authority alone has the responsibility and right to call someone to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders” (CCC# 1598).
The rite of Sacrament of Holy Orders is “conferred by the laying on of hands followed by a solemn prayer of consecration asking God to grant the ordinand the graces of the Holy Spirit required for his ministry. Ordination imprints an indelible sacramental character” (CCC# 1597).
Watch the Movie - "For Love Alone" - Women's religious life
Watch the Movie - "Fishers of Men" - The Catholic Priesthood
Sacraments 101 - Holy Orders - Watch the Video
To learn more about the Sacrament of Holy Orders click here
Do you feel God may be calling you to a vocation? This site will aid you in your discernment.
NOT CATHOLIC OR CATHOLIC BUT MISSING SACRAMENTS?
DO YOU DESIRE TO LEARN MORE?
OCIA IS FOR YOU.
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is a process for welcoming and initiating adults into the Catholic Church.
The program is open to all persons, regardless of religious background, who seek to learn more about the Catholic faith. OCIA welcomes people who have never been baptized as well as adults who were baptized in another Christian tradition. After a period of Inquiry you may continue learning for entry into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
To Learn More about OCIA at San Antonio Catholic Church click here
For more information call the office at (941) 624-3799
