First-time parents must attend a baptism preparation class, held quarterly, before their child is baptized. If this is not your first child, please attend a class if it has been more than four years since you last attended. A reflection on the meaning of the Sacrament of Baptism, the Rite of Baptism, and a discussion of Catholic family life and faith development, the goal of the class is to help parents become aware of the significance of baptism as a beginning, not an end, to a lifelong commitment. The one hour class delves into the purpose of baptism from both a spiritual and practical standpoint, provides parents with tools for raising their Catholic family as a "domestic church,"and information regarding the order of the Rite. Class times and schedules are published in the parish bulletin and on the website homepage. Baptisms are not scheduled until a Baptismal Registration Form and class have been completed and turned in to the parish office.
The Sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church and gives spouses the grace to love one another sacrificially. The grace of the sacrament perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life (Council of Trent: DS 1799). For information on the procedure, programs, and policies of Matrimony, see the diocesan website. To schedule preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony, or for information on the process of nullity, please contact the church office and make an appointment with the pastor. Information on the process of nullity can also be found on the diocesan website.
Ordination incorporates men into the Holy Orders of bishops, priests and deacons, empowering them for a lifetime of leadership and service to the Church. For more information regarding the process of preparing for this sacrament, please contact Fr. Austin Gilstrap, Vocation Assistant for the Diocese of Nashville. His contact information is available on the Nashville Vocations website.
"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). For those who are seriously ill or in danger of death due to sickness or old age, the Anointing of the Sick can be received by calling the church office.