BAPTISM (Initiation)
It has been the consistent practice of the Roman Catholic Church to administer the sacrament of Baptism to infants. Parents very naturally want to pass along their faith to their child and the values that flow from that faith; baptism marks the beginning of this faith life. Parents of a child to be baptized must be registered, active members of the San Antonio Catholic Church for at least 2 months before requesting the sacrament. If you are not already registered, you may do so by calling the office at (941) 624-3799. We recommend that you contact us prior to the birth of your child, so that you have time to properly prepare for this very special event and attend the required Baptismal Catechesis Class.
Please call the office to register for Baptism classes. (941) 624-3799
Unbaptized Adults may receive Baptism at the Easter Vigil after a period of instruction. See OCIA below.
To learn more about the Sacrament of Baptism click here
ANNOINTING OF THE SICK (Healing)
In the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, throughthe ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to conquer sin and death by his dying and rising.
The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.
When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.
~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
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
PENANCE / RECONCILIATION / CONFESSION (Healing)
Penance is an experience of the gift of God's boundless mercy.
Not onlydoes it [the Sacrament of Penance] free us from our sins but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. We are liberated to be forgivers. We obtain new insight into the words of the Prayer of St. Francis: "It is in pardoning that we are pardoned."
Jesus entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to the Church. The Sacrament of Penance is God's gift to us so that any sin committed after Baptism can be forgiven. In confession we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in his presence and honestly acknowledge our sins, especially mortal sins. With absolution, we are reconciled to God and the Church. The Sacrament helps us stay close to the truth that we cannot live without God. "In him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).
~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults | en español
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
EUCHARIST (Initiation)
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The term “Eucharist” originates from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving.
In the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. The whole Christ is truly present -- body, blood, soul, and divinity -- under the appearances of bread and wine, the glorified Christ who rose from the dead. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist.
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)
Who should receive Confirmation? “Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation.” (CCC 1306)
In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is"sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ. The Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist – are the foundation of the Christian life.
~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
Please call the office at (941) 624-3799.
To learn more about the Sacrament of Confirmation click here
MARRIAGE (Service)
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 at (941) 624-3799
To learn more about the Sacrament of Matrimony click here
Please call the office to enroll in Marriage Prep classes at (941) 624-3799.
HOLY ORDERS (SERVICE)
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.
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.
For more information call the office at (941) 624-3799