St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

Baptism:
Preparation for parents (required) and godparents (recommended) is offered monthly on the first Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Childcare is provided. Baptism preparation in Spanish is offered monthly on the second Sunday and third Sunday at noon. Baptisms are celebrated at scheduled masses or at a monthly communal celebration. Are you seeking Baptism for a child over the age of 7? Contact the parish office for information and direction.

1. The Sacrament of Baptism may be celebrated at Saint Francis Catholic Church within a regularly scheduled mass or at a monthly communal celebration. Weekday masses are at 8:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and Wednesday at 7:00 PM. Vigil mass on Saturday is at 5:30 PM; masses on Sunday are 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM. In general only one family will be scheduled for Baptism during a mass. If celebrated within the context of mass, parents and godparents will meet with the priest/deacon in the chapel 20 minutes prior to the beginning of mass. It is important that you be on time.

2. A communal celebration of Baptism (outside of mass) in English will take place at 10:30 AM on the 3rd Sunday of each month. This celebration normally will include multiple families.

3. A communal celebration of Baptism (outside of mass) in Spanish will take place after the 1:30 PM Spanish mass on the last Sunday of each month. This celebration normally will include multiple families.

Please note: We must have a copy of the original birth certificate before a Baptismal Certificate will be issued.(If possible, bring the birth certificate to the class and we will make a copy.)

Canon #873. There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.

Note: While a couple (male – female) may be admitted as sponsors (godparents, padrinos), if qualified, the regulations do not permit two males or two females.

1. Be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the one who takes their place or, in their absence, by the pastor or minister and is to have the qualifications and intention of performing this role;

Note: It is the parents’ responsibility to select a sponsor(s)

2. Have completed the sixteenth year, unless a different age has been established by the diocesan bishop or it seems to the pastor or minister that an exception is to be made for a just cause;

Note: Minimum age is 16, although exceptions may be made by the pastor, given just pastoral reason. In general, choose someone over the age of 16.

3. Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken;

Note: Baptized Catholic who has received both Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. A “life in harmony with the faith,” while not defined, includes marriage within the church, a life free of public scandal, etc.

Canon #874.2 A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may not be admitted except as a witness to baptism and together with a Catholic sponsor.

Note: A baptized non-Catholic may be permitted to serve as a Christian witness, as long as a valid Catholic sponsor is also chosen.

Reconciliation and Eucharist:
Preparation for First Reconciliation (Confession) and First Communion is part of the 2nd Grade Religious Formation curriculum. Workshops for parents and children are scheduled throughout the year. First Communion is celebrated individually or at communal First Communion Masses. Contact Yvette Crumly in the parish office. For preparation of children in third grade and above, teens and adults, please contact the parish office.

Confirmation:
Preparation for Confirmation is provided in the 10th grade. In addition to RE classes, young people are encouraged to do community service and to participate in the confirmation retreat. Contact Yvette or Jeff Crumly at the parish office.

Anointing of the Sick:
Through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, the Church prays with and for those who are ill and suffering. Parishioners who are ill or facing surgery or other medical procedure are asked to call the parish office to arrange for the sacrament. It may be celebrated either at the Church or home or in the hospital or nursing home. Additionally a communal celebration of the Sacrament is offered twice a year. For more information or to request this Sacrament, please call the parish office.

Holy Orders:
Within our Catholic tradition, there are three degrees of the Sacrament of Holy Orders: Deacon, Priest and Bishop. Anyone interested in a vocation to the Diaconate or Priesthood or religious life is invited to call Fr. Anh at the parish office.

Adult Sacramental Preparation:
Baptized Catholic adults seeking the sacraments of Eucharist or Reconciliation for the first time or Confirmation are prepared in conjunction with our RCIA process as well as separate preparation sessions. Candidates generally receive Eucharist and Reconciliation for the first time upon completion of their preparation. Confirmations are generally celebrated on the Feasts of Christ the King and Pentecost. Contact the parish office.

R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults):
Through this process, nonbaptized adults (over the age of 7) are prepared for membership in the Catholic Church through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Adults baptized in other Christian traditions also participate in the R.C.I.A. and make a Profession of Faith and receive Confirmation and Eucharist. Ongoing Inquiry Sessions are offered at various times throughout the year. Contact the parish office.

Matrimony:
Couples desiring to be married should contact the parish office 6 to 12 months prior to the anticipated wedding date. At least on of the parties must be a practicing Catholic and a member of St. Francis parish. Various diocesan and parish programs are required aspects of marriage preparation. An introductory session is offered on the 2nd Monday of January, March, May, July September and November @ 7:00 p.m. to review the process and guidelines for preparation. A music and liturgy class is offered quarterly to assist couples in selecting appropriate music for their weddings. Call the church office for more information and to register for these sessions.

Catholics married in civil ceremonies or in non-Catholic churches, who seek to have their marriage recognized by the Catholic Church, are invited to call the Betsy Milligan at the parish office.

Couples who have entered a new marriage following a divorce (without an annulment) are encouraged to call the parish to discuss the process for having their present marriage bond recognized. Contact Betsy Milligan at the parish office.

What is an annulment? An annulment is a declaration the Catholic Church that after careful investigation, flaws were discovered in the relationship that prevented it from becoming a sacramental marriage. An annulment is concerned mainly with the personal and spiritual aspects of marriage.

Does an annulment have any civil effects on my divorce? No. It does not erase the civil contract. It merely states that after thorough investigation, the Church has decided that a marriage, as the Church understands marriage, was not valid. The Church annulment has no effect on child support, property rights, alimony, or any other civil matter.

Does an annulment affect the legitimacy of children? No. The Church considers children to be a gift from God; therefore, the law of the Church states that children born of a marriage that is later declared to be invalid are legitimate.