Sacraments

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BAPTISM

The Sacrament of Infant Baptism is typically celebrated at Epiphany of the Lord on the third Sunday of the month at 12:45 PM (these celebration dates and times are subject to change and the baptism must be scheduled with our office).

We ask that your family is registered with our parish and that you attend a Baptism Preparation Session for parents before the celebration can be scheduled. Godparents are strongly encouraged to attend this preparation session.

Please call LouAnn at 281-578-8271 to register to attend a Baptism Preparation Session. Baptism Preparation Sessions are usually held on the second Saturday of February, May, August, and November from 10:00 AM until Noon.

Baptism Class Dates
November 13, 2010 - 10:00am	View Calendar Event

Parents With Young Children - A Summer Letter to Parents

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA):

R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)

We invite those adults :

Who have never been baptized
Who are from another faith community and who desire to know more about the Catholic Faith
Who were baptized as Catholics but have not yet celebrated their sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation
Who are Catholics who have left the Church and now wish to return

Call 281-578-0707 or e-mail LouAnn Svoboda if you are interested in joining the RCIA or to request more information.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE:

In order to celebrate the sacrament of marriage here at Epiphany, you must be a registered member of the parish.

Please contact the pastoral offices (281) 578-0707 or Gerry Broussard (ext. 13) eight months before wedding to begin preparation.

SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK:

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing. The individual receiving this sacrament will recieve, through the Holy Spirit, the grace of strengthening their desire to be healed as well as the peace and courage to prevail over their illness. The sacrament will renew their faith in God to restore them to good health or offer them peace of mind to accept God's will.

When: 9:00 AM Mass - First Thursday of the month or by appointment.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION:

Saturday's 4:00 - 5:00 PM or by appointment.

Reconciliation & Eucharist (Grades 2-5):

Sacrament Preparation Meeting Dates (Please only attend one.)
September 23, 2010 - 7:00pm	View Calendar Event
September 26, 2010 - 4:00pm	View Calendar Event

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND SUNDAY FAITH FORMATION CLASSES DO NOT PREPARE

CHILDREN TO RECEIVE COMMUNION.

Responsibility for sacrament preparation in order to celebrate Reconciliation (Penance) and Eucharist (receiving communion) is shared between the parents and the parish. We follow the guidelines set by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston for preparation. Preparing to celebrate Reconciliation and Eucharist is a two year process involving two parts:

(1) Enrollment in and regular weekly attendance at age-appropriate faith formation classes (whatever grade level they are in at school) OR enrollment in a Catholic school for two consecutive years,

AND

(2) Enrollment in and attendance at the sacrament preparation classes for the child’s grade level after at least one year of faith formation has been completed. During their second year of preparation, the children will attend both their faith formation classes AND the sacrament preparation classes. Although the child is to be enrolled in FF classes or Catholic school during the year they are actually preparing to celebrate, SACRAMENT PREPARATION IS NOT DONE IN THE FAITH FORMATION CLASSES AT EPIPHANY OR AT THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. Faith formation classes should continue in the years after sacraments are celebrated. Faith formation is a life-long process.

STEPS FOR SACRAMENT PREPARATION FOR GRADES 2-5:

1. Attendance at a PARENT ONLY SACRAMENT INFORMATION MEETING held in the fall, usually in September or October. At this time, the discernment and preparation processes will be discussed and parents will be given the paperwork to register their child for the Reconciliation and Eucharist workshops. ATTENDANCE AT THIS MEETING IS A DIOCESAN REQUIREMENT AND THE ONLY WAY THAT WE KNOW YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD IS READY TO PREPARE FOR AND CELEBRATE RECONCILIATION AND EUCHARIST.

2. Parents need to bring copies of their child’s birth certificate and baptismal certificate to the information meeting. If your child has not been baptized or has been baptized in a faith other than the Catholic Church, please call the Faith Formation Office (281-578- 8271) for additional information about your child’s conversion process.

3. Attendance by the child AND at least one Catholic parent at two Saturday workshops for Reconciliation. Dates and times will be given at the parent sacrament meeting. The first workshop will begin the preparation process for celebrating Reconciliation. At this time, materials will be provided for parents to work with their children at home. Approximately three weeks later, a follow-up workshop will focus on how to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

4. Attendance by the child AND at least one Catholic parent at two Saturday workshops for Eucharist. Dates and times will be given at the parent sacrament meeting. The first workshop will begin the preparation process for receiving communion. At this time, materials will be provided for parents to work with their children at home. Approximately three weeks later, a follow-up workshop will focus on preparing them to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time.

CHILDREN’S CATECHUMENATE:

Unbaptized children who are six years of age or older or children who have been baptized in another Christian faith and would like to become members of the Catholic Church are enrolled in a special process called the Children’s Catechumenate. In this process, children are prepared for the sacraments of Baptism (if unbaptized), Confirmation, and Eucharist. This is a two-year process, during which the child is also enrolled in grade-level appropriate faith formation. Parents will need to provide a copy of their child’s birth certificate. Please contact the faith formation office for further information at (281) 578-8271.

SACRAMENTS: (Jr & Sr High):

Sacrament Preparation Meeting Dates (Please only attend one.)
September 23, 2010 - 7:00pm	View Calendar Event
September 26, 2010 - 4:00pm	View Calendar Event

Responsibility for sacrament preparation is shared between the parents and the parish. All parents and students are asked to follow the Archdiocesan and parish guidelines for preparing for the sacraments. Failure to do so may result in the postponement of the student’s celebration of the sacrament. A student is to be enrolled in the Youth Ministry program (on-site or home study) or in a Catholic school in addition to participating in the sacrament preparation program. Regular attendance in the faith formation sessions at least one year immediately prior to entering the sacrament preparation program is also expected. Any youth who has not recently been involved in faith formation sessions may berequired to attend an 8-week course entitled Basic Catholic Formation before entering sacrament preparation sessions. Special circumstances can be addressed by calling the youth office. A copy of the student’s birth certificate and baptismal certificate will be required in order to celebrate the sacraments.

SACRAMENT PREPARATION FOR RECONCILIATION AND EUCHARIST:

1. Attendance by the child at grade-level appropriate Faith Formation sessions one year immediately prior to and during the year of sacrament preparation.

2. Attendance at an eight-week course entitled Basic Catholic Formation is required for most students

beginning the preparation process in grades 6-12. These sessions will be held on a week night (generally Monday or Tuesday) from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the fall of either the first or second year of preparation.

3. Attendance at a PARENT ONLY SACRAMENT INFORMATION MEETING held in the fall, usually in September or October. At this time, the discernment and celebration preparation processes will be discussed and parents will be given the paperwork to register their child for the Reconciliation and Eucharist preparation sessions. ATTENDANCE AT THIS MEETING IS A DIOCESAN REQUIREMENT AND THE ONLY WAY THAT WE KNOW YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD IS READY TO PREPARE FOR AND CELEBRATE RECONCILIATION AND EUCHARIST. Parents need to bring copies of their child’s birth certificate and baptismal certificate to the mandatory meeting.

4. Attendance by the child at a series of three preparation classes for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. These will be held on a week night (generally a Monday or Tuesday) from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. beginning in January or February of the second year of preparation. Parents will attend a parent session one time during one of these sessions, usually the first one.

5. Attendance by the child at a series of four preparation classes for the Sacrament of Eucharist. These will be held on a week night (generally a Monday or Tuesday) from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. beginning after the Reconciliation sessions in the second year of preparation. Parents will attend a parent session one time during one of these sessions, usually the first one

CONFIRMATION:

High school youth who have completed 10th grade in the high school faith formation program and who are 16 years or older by September 1 (or in the 11th grade) up to the age of 18 are eligible for preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. A mandatory meeting for parents only will be held for information purposes regarding the sacrament. Parents need to bring copies of their child’s birth certificate and baptismal certificate to the mandatory meeting.

There are currently no Confirmation Parent Sacrament Meetings scheduled.

Dates will also be scheduled for a sponsor/candidate meeting, candidate interview, service projects and retreat. Guidelines for candidates to discern their readiness to celebrate the sacrament are regular participation in Sunday Eucharist, a willingness to be involved in service to the church and community, and regular attendance in the High School program. Also, an area of discernment is the candidate’s desire to celebrate the sacrament and a commitment to living a life of faith in the church. Confirmation classes are held on Sundays from 7-8:30 pm.