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Community Masses are at 5:30 PM on Saturday, and 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM,12:00 Noon, 2:00 PM (Spanish) & 5:00 PM (Life Teen) on Sunday. During the week, Daily Mass is at 8:00 AM. On Tuesdays, a Novena to OLPH is held at 7:00 PM. During the school year, School Mass is usually on Friday at 8:30 AM in the Church. Please check the weekly Parish Bulletin for more details.
| Sacrament of Baptism (Infant-6 years of age) | Jennifer Murphy - (210) 651-6913 |
| Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Confirmation for Adults |
Jeannette Easley - (210) 651-6913 |
| Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) | Vilma Vazquez de Torres - (210) 651-6913 |
| Sacrament of Reconciliation | Fr. Jose L. De la Rosa - (210) 651-6913 |
| Sacrament of First Reconciliation | Vilma Vazquez de Torres - (210) 651-6913 |
| Sacrament of First Eucharist | Vilma Vazquez de Torres - (210) 651-6913 |
| Sacrament of Confirmation | Suzy Krisak - (210) 651-6913 |
| Sacrament of Marriage | Jeannette Easley - (210) 651-6913 |
It is in Baptism that one is welcomed into a community of faith. Parents who wish to have their child baptized (ages infant -6 years of age) must pick up a packet from Jennifer Murphy at the Parish Office and attend one class held the second Monday of every month at 7:00 PM. The classes extend hospitality to the parents and godparents, encourage them to articulate their faith, and present certain precepts and norms for a Christian family life. The classes also give the parents a view of the history and specifics of the Sacrament of Baptism. After all required paperwork and class is completed, parents are invited to coordinate the time and date of their child's baptism with Jennifer Murphy at the Parish Office, 651-6913. Baptisms are held every Saturday following the 5:30 PM Mass, unless otherwise noted. An updated set of guidelines has been put in place for Baptisms which can be found here.
RCIA is a formation process for adults who have not been baptized, were baptized into another faith, or were baptized Catholic, but have not received the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation and wish to enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Sessions are held on Thursday evenings from 7-8:45pm beginning September 9. Reception of the Sacraments will be at the Easter Vigil.
Learning About the Catholic Faith: Welcome! We are glad that you are interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church and the Faith she proclaims, celebrates, prays, and lives. We hope that this introduction will lead you to discover more about the beauty and riches of the Catholic Church.
What if I think that I want to become Catholic? We believe that God extends his personal call to individuals to learn more about whom God is and what he has done for all of us. He extends his loving invitation to recognize our sinfulness and our need to receive God's reconciling love offered through his life, death, and resurrection. Jesus calls us to become members of his body, which is the Church. The fullness of Jesus' plan for humanity can be found in the Catholic Church. If you want to become Catholic or simply want to explore the Catholic faith, you will participate in a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (often called RCIA or simply “Christian Initiation.”) Adults will explore and learn about the teachings of Jesus through the Church he founded and continues to lead.
What does initiation into the Catholic Church entail? If you have not been baptized, the Christian Initiation process prepares you to become a Catholic Christian by celebrating and receiving what we call the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist (Holy Communion), and Confirmation. These Sacraments of Initiation incorporate us into the life of God and make us members of his Church. If you have been baptized in another Christian tradition, the initiation process prepares you to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church by celebrating the Sacraments of Eucharist (Holy Communion) and Confirmation.
What if I change my mind? You do not make any permanent commitment or obligation by inquiring about Catholicism or beginning the Christian Initiation process. You can take the time you need as you learn and reflect about what it means to be a Catholic Christian. The Church and those responsible for the initiation process respects your decision to stop or to say, “Not right now” at any time during the process. While we love living our Catholic vocation as Disciples of Christ and hope that others will want to become Catholic also, we do not apply pressure of any kind through the process. The process of conversion is a work of God's grace and cannot be forced or manipulated in any manner. Our hope would be that at the very least, you would come to a greater understanding and appreciation of Catholic beliefs and practices.
Are you a Catholic adult who has not been confirmed? You are invited to participate in the RCIA Classes and celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation during the subsequent Easter Season.
Parents, do you have a child or children, aged 7 or above, who need the Sacrament of Baptism? Do you have an older child, aged 9 or above, who also needs the Sacrament of First Eucharist? There is a special process designed for you and your children in our Religious Education Program that begins in September.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available in the church from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM every Saturday or by appointment. Special Reconciliation Services are held during Advent and Lent.
First Reconciliation or Confession is celebrated in early February. Students in grade two and above may receive the Sacrament, if they are enrolled in our parish Religious Education Program or in the Parish School. In October parents are invited to a Reconciliation meeting designed to help them prepare their children at home. Dates and times of these meetings are scheduled through the Religious Education Office.
First Eucharist is celebrated by students in grades two and above. Students must be enrolled in the parish Religious Education Program or the Parish School. Because parents play such an important role in the preparation and participation of their children, they are asked to attend a meeting in February to update their understanding of the Sacrament. During this meeting, details about the Eucharistic Celebration, the Communion Retreat, and Communion Practice will be discussed. Parents are given packets and booklets to help them prepare their children for this most important Sacrament of our faith. Dates and times for the Sacrament of First Eucharist are scheduled through the Religious Education Office.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is open to all high school students (grades 9 through 12). Preparation begins in the fall. The process includes participation in the parish's regular Religious Education Classes on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings. In addition to participating in weekly classes, students are required to attend a retreat and other spiritual formation activities. They must also be involved in some form of Parish Ministry or service activity. A list of formation options will be presented at a parent meeting to be held in October. Parents and sponsor are welcome to attend any and all Confirmation classes and activities. The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated annually in April or May.
For a couple to be married or have their marriage validated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, the following conditions must be met: