Sacraments

 

Sacraments are actions of the Church

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They make the Church, bring her members together, and empower them to do what the Church does. The meaning and the power of the Sacraments are not only referred to as the time we are in church celebrating them, but they are gateways through which we enter more fully into God's House.

According to the National Directory for Catechesis (NDC, 113) “the liturgical life of the Church revolves around the sacraments, with the Eucharist at the center.” The Church celebrates seven sacraments.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine celebrates the sacraments of the church throughout the year within their various ministries

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BAPTISM

Please Note: In order to have a child baptized at the Cathedral, at least one parent must be a practicing Catholic, and registered in the Cathedral Parish (or in another Catholic Parish within the Diocese of St. Augustine).

Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives us access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission (Catechism of the Catholic Church, [CCC,] 1213.

Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments, and the “door” which give us access to all other sacraments of the Church. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the "sacraments of initiation" by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ. The rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water, or pouring water on the head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, [CCC,] page 867.

Baptisms are celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays after the 11:00 a.m. Mass.

Proper paperwork must be received at least 4 weeks prior to the Baptism date you are requesting. No baptisms will be scheduled until all paperwork has been completed and received in the office.

Parents who seek Baptism for an infant child and children under the age of reasoning (up to age 6) must attend Baptism classes.

Please be sure to review all Infant Baptism Requirements before beginning any paperwork.

Contact Deacon Jim at:
jjwhite1@protonmail.com

Baptism Requirements

Baptism Preparation Form

God Parent Sponsorship Form

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FIRST COMMUNION

First Penance/First Communion

From the earliest days the community has gathered around the Eucharistic table. Initiated into the Christian mystery by Baptism and Confirmation, Christians are fully joined to the Body of Christ in the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian Life.” All ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostles are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. The Eucharist is contained within the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Paschal Mystery.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, [CCC], 1324

Children are required to have two (2) consecutive years of religious education to receive their First Reconciliation and First Communion, so all children must be registered at a Catholic school or Religious education program in 1st grade.

According to the guidelines of the Diocese of St. Augustine the following guidelines will be adhered to in conjunction with preparing students for First Penance and First Communion.

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RECONCILIATION

The sacrament celebration in which, through God's mercy and forgiveness, the sinner is reconciled with God and also with the Church, Christ's Body, which is wounded by sin.(Catechism of the Catholic Church, [CCC], page 896) The basic requirement for a good confession is to have the intention of returning to God like the "prodigal son" and to acknowledge our sins with true sorrow before the priest.

"To those who have been far away from the Sacrament of Reconciliation and forgiving love, I make this appeal: come back to this source of grace, do not be afraid! Christ himself is waiting for you. He will heal you, and you will be at peace with God!" (Pope Saint John Paul II)

Confession is offered every Saturday after the 7 am Mass and from 3:30 om to 4:30 pm in the Cathedral. You may also make an appointment for another time with a priest.

First Penance will take place in January each year. Please contact the Director of Religious Education for additional information about the preparation for this sacrament.


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CONFIRMATION

Confirmation for Students in Grades 8-12

The revised Rite of Confirmation permits the Conference of Bishops to designate the age when confirmation will be celebrated. The U. S. Bishops have stated that the sacrament may be conferred anytime between the ages of 7 and 19 with each Bishop establishing the norm for his diocese. The Diocese of St. Augustine confirms youth who are in eighth grade or higher. The content of the preparation is to have at its core the format/structure of the Eucharistic celebration. Themes should include “sharing, listening, acting, conversing, giving, thanking and celebrating.” (NCD, #133)

According to the guidelines of the Diocese of St. Augustine the following guidelines will be adhered to in conjunction with preparing students for Confirmation.

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• Ongoing remote preparation is essential prior to sacramental catechesis. In the Diocese of St. Augustine, it is expected that a minimum of two years of documented remote preparation would precede the reception of the above mentioned sacraments.


• Readiness is determined through consultation with parents, catechists, pastor and candidate.


• Remote preparation (Year 1) is provided through the Religious Education Program, Catholic School, Program and Home School Programs during their regular classroom instruction. All Programs will utilize the same text.


• Parents and other role models act as witnesses through regular participation in church life.


• Proper context is within the parish community. First Communion will take place within our Sunday assembly.


• Sacramental Preparation for the sacraments includes all those in Religious Education Programs, Catholic School Programs and Home School Programs. Sacramental Catechesis takes place through our religious education department.


A schedule of dates and times are approved each year in September.

Adult Confirmation

If someone in your family is preparing for First Communion/First Penance please be sure to pick up a registration form at the parish office or download one from our forms section.

The term “Adult Confirmation” as used in this set of guidelines refers to Roman Catholics who have been baptized, have celebrated their first Communion and are seeking to celebrate their confirmation at an age later than the usual age for confirmation in the Diocese of St. Augustine (ages 13-17). Canon law defines an adult as a person who has completed their eighteenth year of age (Canon 97) and does not lack the use of reason (Canon 99).

The celebration of Confirmation for Adult Candidates will be celebrated twice within a calendar year...once at the Cathedral and once at another parish of the diocese. The dates of these celebrations will be announced at a minimum of six months prior to the actual celebrations.

The process of preparation is based on the RCIA model (as well as the basic tenets of adult faith formation set forward in Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us. (USCCB, 1999).

To register for Adult Confirmation please contact the Religious Education Office by email cathedralcfp@gmail.com

If someone in your family is preparing for First Communion/First Penance please be sure to pick up a registration form at the parish office or download one from our forms section.

Additionally for Confirmation each candidate should have a Sponsor. The Role of the Sponsor is as follows:

• Sponsors are to have an active role in the preparation of the candidate
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• Sponsors must be 16 years of age or older, Catholic, confirmed, leading a life in conformity with the faith, who has received 
Eucharist and who is not bound by any canonical penalty.


• Must be willing and able to share faith and make the necessary time commitment to fulfill their responsibility.


• The preference is for the godparent to be the sponsor at confirmation. This manifests clearly the connection between baptism 
and confirmation. Others may, however, be asked to fulfill this role.


• Parents may not be godparents or sponsors for their children. They have a particular and very important role as primary
 catechists to their children.


• Additional requirements will be distributed to all students
 during the first Sacramental Preparation Session.

Confirmation - Adult Registration Form

Norms for Adult Confirmation


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SACRAMENT OF THE SICK

Pastoral Care of the Sick: Please notify the rectory if you or someone you know is sick, in a hospital or nursing home, or homebound. We will be happy to take care of them through the Anointing of the Sick and making sure they receive visits for Holy Communion.

Please Call: 904-824-2806


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VOCATIONS

Prayer for those who follow The Lord’s call.

O God, Father of all Mercies, Provider of a bountiful Harvest, send Your Graces upon those You have called to gather the fruits of Your labor; preserve and strengthen them in their lifelong service to You. Open the hearts of Your children that they may discern Your Holy Will; inspire in them a love and desire to surrender themselves to serving others in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ. Teach them to follow their vocation in life guided by Your Divine Word and Truth. Through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, all the Angels and Saints, hear our humble prayers and grant Your Church's needs, through Christ, our Lord. Amen

Cathedral Parish Vocations Coordinator: Fr. John Tetlow, (904) 824-2806

Diocesan Director of Vocations: Fr. David Ruchinski, (904) 262-3200

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WEDDINGS

Information and Guidelines for Planning Our Wedding Day - Please visit our Wedding Planning Page.


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