Baptism
The sacrament of Baptism ushers us into the divine life, cleanses us from sin and initiates us as members
of the Christian community. It is the foundation for the sacramental life. Baptism frees us from the bondage
of original and actual sin. Water is poured in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Today, the sacrament of baptism is often performed on infants, shortly after birth. Adult baptisms take
place at Easter Vigil through the restored Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).
Documents
• Marriage Certificate of parents
• Child's Birth Certificate from Govt. / Hospital.
• If God Parents are from another Parish, a letter from the Parish Priest.
• God Parents Marriage Certificate / Baptism Certificate
Procedures
• Baptism Form to be filled at least 15 days prior. + Presence of Parents & Godparents is compulsory
• Godparents should be practicing the Catholic Doctrine
• Pre-Baptism course is mandatory.
Holy Communion
The liturgical life of the church revolves around the sacraments, with the Eucharist at the center. At Mass, we are fed by the Word and nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist is not a sign or symbol of Jesus; rather we receive Jesus Himself in and through the Eucharistic species. The priest, through the power of his ordination and the action of the Holy Spirit, transforms the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus. This is called Transubstantiation. Receiving the Eucharist changes us. It signifies and affects the unity of the community and serves to strengthen the Body of Christ.
Documents
• Baptism Certificate
• Photograph
Readiness Standards
Children must:
• Be in Class 3 and register for the Catechism class.
• Must be registered in the Parish & attend Sunday Mass each week.
• Must commit to continuing Religious Education following reception of First Holy Communion.
• First Holy Communion - Second Sunday of Advent.
Confirmation
At confirmation we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and confirm our baptismal promises. Greater awareness of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conferred through the anointing of chrism oil and the laying on of the hands by the Bishop. Bound more intimately to the Church by the sacrament of confirmation, the baptized are endowed by the Holy Spirit with special strength; hence they are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith both by word and by deed as true witnesses of Christ.
Documents
• Baptism Certificate
• Photograph
• Names of Godparents
Procedures
• Form to be filled and submitted when the child is in Class VIII along with the Parish Membership Card.
• On completion of 2 years of regular catechism class, the child can receive the sacrament provided he/she has the disposition.
Holy Matrimony
The sacrament of marriage is a visible sign of God's love for the Church. When a man and a woman are married in the Church,
they receive the grace needed for a lifelong bond of unity. Marriage is a union, a divine covenant that bonds spouses together during their entire lifetime.
The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love which Christ has
loved His church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity and sanctifies them on the
way to eternal life.
Documents
• Baptism Certificate of both partners issued not earlier than 3 months.
• Parish and Home address of the spouse.
• Confirmation certificates of both partners.
• If the bride belongs to another parish, then furnish a letter certifying the fact from that parish priest before and after Publication of Banns.
• Marriage Preparation Course Certificates for both partners.
Procedures
• Legal age for Marriage: Boys 21 years & Girls 18 years complete.
• Both partners should be aware of all the basic Catholic prayers and are practicing Catholics.
• Attend Marriage Preparation Course.
+ Meet the parish priest and fill the PNE form at least 3 months in advance.
• (The marriage invitation card) can be printed ONLY after fulfilling all the above.
+ If the Marriage is held in the other Parish, the Papers are requested to complete the formalities from the Parish office one week early and submit the papers to the Parish where the marriage is to be held. In case the marriage is in this Parish all paper work is to be completed one week early.
Funeral Service
Documents
• The Death Certificate from the Doctor
• Death Pass from the PMC / KCB / PCMC /DCB
Procedures
• Call the parish priest. He can pray with you, comfort your family and answer any questions you may have during the next few sorrowful days.
• After you have talked to a priest, contact a funeral Undertaker and the Cemetarian.
• Since the arrangements for death and burial require significant choices, it is important you confirm your plans with the priest. The priest will help you plan the Mass, pick the readings and responses and offer options for music.