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)
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission. (CCC 1213)
Please review the parent checklist available to download in English and Spanish. While you can not register online, you can download, print, and fill it out to make it easier when you register. Remember to bring your child's birth certificate and the godparents' sacrament of initiation certificates at the time of registration. If your child's godparents live out of town, have them download the sponsor affidavit also available in English and Spanish, sign it, and email it to Ms. Cyndy at ms.cyndy_gonzalez_dre@olphcatholicfaithformation.com
Registration for the Baptism Class is in the Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Office beginning July 29 - August 14, 2024. Monday - Wednesday 1:00 - 6:00 PM. Please make sure you have all the correct documentation ready.
Revise la lista de verificación para padres disponible para descargar en inglés y español. Si bien no puede registrarse en línea, puede descargarlo, imprimirlo y completarlo para que sea más fácil cuando se registre. Recuerde traer el acta de nacimiento de su hijo y las actas de iniciación al sacramento de los padrinos al momento de la inscripción. Si los padrinos de su hijo viven fuera de la ciudad, pídales que descarguen la declaración jurada de patrocinador, también disponible en inglés y español, que la firmen y la envíen por correo electrónico a la Sra. Cyndy a ms.cyndy_gonzalez_dre@olphcatholicfaithformation.com
La inscripción para la Clase de Bautismo se realiza en la Oficina de Formación de Fe y Ministerio Juvenil a partir del 29 de julio al 14 de agosto del 2024. De lunes a miércoles de 1:00 a 6:00 p.m. Asegúrese de tener toda la documentación correcta lista.
Baptism Preparation Class will be in Spanish in Rm #1 on Aug. 24th, from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM. / La clase de preparación para el bautismo será en español en el cuarto #1 el 24 de agosto del 2024, de 8:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m.
Baptisms will be celebrated on August 25, 2024, at 12:00 PM Mass. / Los bautismos se celebrarán el 25 de agosto del 2024, en la Misa de las 12:00 pm.
Baptism for Infants Parent Checklist (pdf)
DownloadBaptism for Infants Registration Form (pdf)
DownloadBaptism Godparent Affidavit (pdf)
DownloadBaptism for Infants Parent Checklist - Spanish (pdf)
DownloadBaptism for Infants Registration Form Spanish (pdf)
DownloadBaptism Godparent Affidavit - Spanish (pdf)
DownloadOCIA - Children & Teens is our ministry for any child who is past the age of seven and has not yet received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. This process is a personal journey for the child to learn more about the Catholic Faith and deepen their spiritual growth in knowing God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Church's teaching. Upon completion of this process, the child will receive their Sacraments of Baptism (if not baptized), First Communion, and Confirmation through four stages.
OCIA is our ministry for those exploring the Catholic faith for the first time. Our program serves individuals who would like to explore becoming a member of the Catholic Church. The process begins with an inquiry session that allows candidates to explore how the program can serve their needs.
This process serves as a beautiful journey for:
· Adults who have never been baptized.
· Christians who wish to learn more about and convert to the Catholic faith.
For “by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” (CCC 1285)
If you an adult and wish to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, please register at the Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Office or click on the button below to register online. At the beginning of the sessions, Dcn. Santos will interview you and let you know how long your process will be. The minimum for an adult is one year.
In the Diocese of Brownsville the minimum age for a candidate to receive the sacrament is either be 16 years of age or be in the 10th grade.
He/she must be enrolled in our Catholic Faith Formation program for a minimum of 2 years. Attendance is very important. Please contact the Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Office at 956-627-1168 for more information.
The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord’s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist. (CCC 1322)
If you an adult and wish to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion, please register at the Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Office. At the beginning of the sessions, Dcn. Santos will interview you and let you know how long your process will be. The minimum for an adult is one year.
In the Diocese of Brownsville the minimum grade for a candidate to receive the sacrament is 3rd grade.
He/she must be enrolled in our Catholic Faith Formation program for a minimum of 3 years. Attendance is very important. Please contact the Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Office at 956-682-3663 for more information.
The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. (CCC 1421)
“Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.” (CCC 1422)
“By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.” (CCC 1499)
Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Holy Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God. (CCC 1534)
“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” (CCC 1601)
The couple must first make an appointment with Fr. Martin De la Cruz, 6 to 12 months before desired wedding date.
Couple will then meet with Dcn. Santos Chapa to begin their marriage preparation process.
Couples will need to attend a FOCUS retreat.
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. (CCC 1536)
Learn more about vocations
A man who thinks God might be calling him to be a priest should go to the seminary. Often however, major misconceptions prevent a man from applying at all.
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