The Sacrament of Baptism: The removal of the stain of original sin and becoming a Christian, a son or daughter of God the Father. Call the Parish Office three months prior to your planned Baptism. Please do not set a date until after an interview with Father Bernard. For Spanish Baptism, call Hector or Maribel Medrano at 512-237-3299.
The Sacrament of Confirmation: The seal or completion of baptism; the reception of the mark of God the Holy Spirit and His seven sanctifying gifts.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion: The reception of the God the Son in the Holy Eucharist; the body, blood, soul, and divinity of the Incarnate Jesus Christ.
"The sacraments of Christian initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist—lay the foundations of every Christian life. The sharing in the divine nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity." (CCC 1212)
From here we can understand the other four sacraments. Once we are received into the Church through the three Sacraments of Initiation, our life within the Church doesn't stop there.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance which restores us when, during the course of our life, we through sin fall from the grace we have received in our baptism. Serious sin cuts us off from God's grace (called a grave sin because it kills God's divine life in the soul), while sacramental confession restores it. Father Bernard will hear confessions Saturday 4:15-4:45 pm in the church confessional or by appt.
The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony : Call the Parish Office at least six months prior to your planned wedding. Please do not set a date until after an interview with Father Bernard.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders: "Becoming a priest or a man or woman religious is not primarily our own decision.... Rather it is the response to a call and to a call of love." - Pope Francis. Please call the Diocese of Austin at (512) 949-2430 or visit Austin Vocations and Diocese of Austin Vocations if you are interested in becoming a priest or deacon.
The Sacrament of Healing, also called Anointing of the Sick, Extreme Unction, or Last Rites. It is when we receive the prayer and blessing of the Church to strengthen the soul as we transition from this life to the next. The sacrament is also administered to those who are seriously ill or in danger of death. Call Father Bernard at any time or the Parish Office if you know of someone who is in need of the sacrament.
To learn more about the Catholic faith and teachings, or if you are new to the Catholic faith and have not received the sacraments, classes are on every Thursday at 7:15 pm in the parish hall.
Please join us!