Sacraments

BAPTISM:

Baptism is the foundational Sacrament. Through Baptism we are incorporated into the Church and made a member of the Body of Christ. As the first Sacrament of Initiation, no other Sacrament can be received prior to Baptism.

For infant Baptisms, parents and Godparents are required to attend class on the first or second Sunday of each month. Spanish classes are offered from 4 pm – 6 pm in the Church. English classes are offered on the first Sunday of the month from 3 pm – 5 pm in Room 303 of the Family Life Center. Baptisms are celebrated in the Church at 10 am. Baptism take place on the third and forth Saturdays in Spanish and the second Saturday in English. For Baptism for adults or children 7 years of age or older, please see our RCIA process below.

Jesus being Baptized

CONFIRMATION:

Confirmation is the second of the Sacraments of Initiation and is the confirmation of one's baptism by the seal of the Spirit. The Sacrament of Confirmation is ordinarily conferred by the Bishop, but may be administered by a priest in case of emergency or when an adult is accepted into Catholic Communion.

Confirmation at Immaculate Conception is normally celebrated for youths in the eighth grade. Youths should attend Catechism classes for at least two years prior to receiving the sacrament. To make inquiries regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation for school age children, please contact our Director of Religious Education, Diana Gutierrez-Dionne, at dianamg@icgrandprairie.org.

To make inquiries regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults, please contact our Director of RCIA, Sr. Mary Paul Haase at smpaul@icgrandprairie.org.

Bishops conducting Confirmation

EUCHARIST:

The celebration of the Eucharist is the central sacrament of the Church. It is in celebrating the Eucharist that we celebrate our union with each other and make our communion with God and our community an ever-greater reality.

First Communion is normally received in the Roman tradition by those who have reached the age of reason. At Immaculate Conception, children normally receive First Holy Communion in the second grade. Children should attend Catechism classes for at least two years prior to receiving the Sacrament.

Adults who have never received First Communion, should prepare to receive the Sacrament through our RCIA program. (See below.)

Christians of other denominations are welcomed to celebrate our common faith in Jesus Christ with us by attending our celebrations of the Eucharist. Since reception of Communion, however, is a sign of our unity, and since there is real division between the different denominations of Christianity, only Catholics should receive Catholic Communion.

The Institution of the Eucharist

RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION):

In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we seek the forgiveness of God and reconciliation with our community of faith for our sins. With a contrite heart and a desire to sin no more, there is no sin that
God cannot and will not forgive.

Reconciliation is celebrated at Immaculate Conception on Saturdays at 4:00 and 6:30pm, and by appointment.

Confession

ANOINTING OF THE SICK:

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated for those in need of healing. The Sacrament may be received by any baptized person in need of God's healing or who is experiencing serious illness.

If you or someone you know needs to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, please contact one of the priests or our parish office to set a time and place for the celebration of the Sacrament.

Jesus heals the blind man

MARRIAGE:

Marriage is a life-long covenant of love established between a man and woman when they freely exchange their nuptial vows in the presence of God and the community of faith.

Because marriage is a life-long covenant which can never be dissolved, couples must be mature and well-prepared to enter the covenant. Therefore we ask that couples wishing to marry to avail themselves of our marriage preparation program, entailing work with a sponsor couple and weekend retreat.

Please contact one of the priests or deacons at least six months prior to your tentative date. One of the clergy will assist you in preparing for the celebration of the sacrament of marriage in the church. All engaged couples must fulfill both Diocesan and Parish requirements regarding marriage preparation.

Godly Marriage

RCIA:

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process for adults wishing to learn more about Catholicism or interested in becoming Catholic through sacramental initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist). There is a similar process for children age 7 and older who have not been baptized and want to become fully initiated Catholics. To make inquiries regarding the RCIA process, for either adults or children 7 and older, please contact our Director of RCIA, Sr. Mary Paul Haase at smpaul@icgrandprairie.org.

Becoming Catholic

QUINCEANERAS (FIFTEENERS):

A Quinceanera is a celebration in the Hispanic tradition which gives thanks to God for the life and faith of a youth when they reach their fifteenth birthday. While not a Sacrament of the Church, Quinceaneras are often celebrated in the context of the Mass, as the Eucharist is the greatest Thanksgiving Prayer of the Church.

Registered parishioners are welcomed to celebrate their quinceaneras at Immaculate Conception. We ask that all youth wishing to celebrate quinceaneras be registered parishioners who have received the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. We also require that the youth be currently attending our Religious Education Program. If you would like to celebrate your quinceanera at Immaculate Conception, please contact one of the priests or deacons at least six months prior to your tentative date. Please call the Church office if you would like a brochure listing our policies and requirements.

Quinceanera