“The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.” CCC 1131
“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: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.” (CCC 1213)
What do I need to do to have my child Baptized at St. Anthony's Parish?
Please note that all paperwork must be turned in before we can schedule a date for Baptism.
It is in Baptism that one is welcomed into a community of faith. Parents who wish to have their child baptized (ages infant-7 years old of age) must fill out a Baptism registration form and return to the church office. Once this has been completed, and all required documentation has been submitted, the parents and Godparents must attend a baptism class.
Requirements for Parents:
1. Completed Baptismal Application Form
2. Provide copy of the child's state birth certificate not the hospital copy.
3. If the parents are not registered parishioners and they do not live within the parish boundaries of St. Anthony, they must provide us with a letter from their church stating they are in good standing at their church and have permission to have their child Baptized at St. Anthony.
4. Parents must attend a Baptism class. If they have attended a class in the last year they do not need to re-take a class but must provide us proof of attendance. (Valid for one year)
5. If child is of catechetical age (over 7 years old), they need to be enrolled in CCD.
Requirements for Godparents
1. Only one Godparent is required, but if there are two, one must be male and one must be female
2. Must be a practicing Catholic at least 16 years old who has received Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation
3. If married, they must be married in the Catholic Church
4. They must lead a life in harmony with the faith and with the role to be undertaken
5. A baptized person who belongs to a Non-Catholic Christian community may be a witness but only with a Catholic Godparent
6. If not parishioners of St. Anthony, they must provide us with a letter from their church stating they are eligible to be Godparents and that they are in good standing at their church and meet all the requirements of a catholic Godparent.
7. Godparents must also attend a Baptism class. If they have attended a class in the past year they do not need to re-take a class but must provide proof of attendance.(Valid for one year)
To schedule a Baptism or sign up for Baptismal classes, please call the parish office (903) 758-0116
“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)
Tuesday-Friday: 8:00am-8:45am
Wednesday: 7:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday: 9:30am-10:30am; 4:00pm-4:45pm
This Sacrament can also be celebrated by appointment by contacting the Parish Office at (903) 758-0116.
Before making Confession, it is important to conduct a good Examination of Conscience.
Examinations of Conscience
"One of the ensemble of the Sacraments of Initiation into the Church, together with Baptism and Eucharist. Confrimation completes the grace by Baptism by a special outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which seal or "confirm" the baptized in union with Christ and equip them for active participation in the worship and apostolic life of the Church" (CCC 1285)
In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is "sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ. Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. . . . We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service.
“The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” (CCC 1324)
“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)
Newly engaged couples: Formation for Engaged Couples
The Three to Get Married marriage formation retreat weekends are an opportunity for couples to learn how to put Christ at the center of the marriages as they prepare for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Mentor couples are invited and encouraged to attend with their engaged couples when possible.
The retreat will cover important formation topics such as Communication and Family of Origin, but will also spend time with the treasures of our Catholic faith, such as the importance of prayer, the sacraments, Confession, and the Holy Eucharist. This is an important part of the marriage formation process.
“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)
For guidance in your discernment, contact the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Tyler.
O God, You have constituted Your only-begotten Son supreme and eternal Priest for the glory of Your majesty and the salvation of mankind. Grant that those whom He has chosen as ministers and dispensers of His mysteries may be found faithful in fulfilling the ministry they have received.
Amen.
St. Anthony's Parish is blessed to be able to sponsor two seminarians, Edwin Mireles & Oliver Zamora.
“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)
If you are in need of this Sacrament, please call to make an appointment with a priest.
Call the parish office: 903-758-0116
For emergencies please call Fr. Jose Luis at 903-705-5476