Sacraments

Baptisms are generally done once a month during the 10:30 Sunday Mass.
Baptismal Application

Please contact the parish office a minimum of six months before the date of the Wedding.

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The celebration of the Sacraments is at the heart of Good Shepherd’s parish life. Nothing is more important than the preparation (catechesis) and celebration of these special gifts. Participation in the sacraments brings us closer to Our Blessed Lord thereby strengthening our role as disciples of Jesus Christ.

A brief overview of the Sacraments follows with a complete description under the individual titles

• Sacraments of Christian Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist – These Sacraments lay the foundation of every Catholic life.

• Sacraments of Healing – Penance (Reconciliation/Confession) and Anointing of the Sick

• Sacraments at the Service and Mission of the Faithful – Holy Orders and Matrimony

• The Sacraments, instituted by Christ, touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life.

The Sacraments form an organic whole in which each particular Sacrament has its own vital place with the Holy Eucharist occupying a unique place as the “Sacrament of Sacraments.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1210 – 121)

• Baptism is always the first Sacrament received and is necessary for the reception of all other Sacraments. In Baptism we are born of water and the Holy Spirit and welcomed into the Catholic Church. Baptism is administered only once.

• The Sacraments of Initiation and Service are celebrated with members of the faith community, family and friends present.

• Non-Catholics, whether Baptized in another Christian faith or not Baptized, are invited to participate in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and receive, after proper catechesis, all the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

• Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and Matrimony require catechesis/preparation before reception.

• The Holy Eucharist and Penance require catechesis/preparation before first reception and are then received regularly.

• For information concerning preparation for reception of the following Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist and first Penance (Reconciliation), please contact our Director of Religious Education at 504-899-1378.

Note: All information contained in the section that describes each of the seven sacraments is taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Each paragraph is preceded with it’s paragraph number from the CCC.