The Catholic Church Celebrates Seven Sacraments:

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• Baptism - In order to have a child baptized at St. John’s, parents need to be registered members of St. John’s and attend the Baptism Preparation class. On the last Wednesday of each month Deacons, Dan Laurita and Kevin Brady, conduct a Baptismal Preparation class which meets in the All Purpose Room at 5:30 pm. Baptisms are scheduled every Sunday at 3:00 p.m.  For children four years of age and older please contact the Parish School of Religion at 256-722-0130 x 108.

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• Eucharist - The Holy Eucharist is a part of all Daily and Weekend Masses.  In accordance with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, St. John's offers the following: "Catholics are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible."  The office staff makes arrangements for volunteers to visit the sick and home bound.  Volunteers bring Holy Communion (upon request) to those unable to get to Mass due to illness or home bound status. For information on First Sacraments for children please CLICK HERE to visit the Parish School of Religion pages.

 

• Confirmation - Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. 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)  For information on our high school confirmation prep please CLICK HERE. We also offer  RCIA  for adults who have not been Confirmed,  CLICK HERE for more information.

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• Reconciliation - Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. - 6:20 p.m.; Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. - 6:20 p.m. ; Saturdays from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.; other times by request. 

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• Anointing of the Sick - Please call the parish office at 256-722-0130, if there is an emergency or if you or a loved one are about to have surgery, are in the hospital or nursing home, or have become home bound. The Anointing of the Sick is a healing sacrament available to the young and old, the chronically or terminally ill, and also offered prior to surgery. For an after-hours emergency, please call the rectory at 205-902-9990. 

 

• Marriage - Couples desiring to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage should contact one of our Deacon Dan Laurita at least six months prior to the anticipated wedding date. It is recommended that couples make contact with the parish at the very beginning of their engagement to ensure an orderly and reflective preparation process. The office phone number is 256-722-0130.

 

• Holy Orders - If you are interested in more information about Holy Orders please CLICK HERE.  You will be directed to the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops website on Vocations.