BAPTISMS
Baptisms will generally take place on the first weekend of every month. Please see the priest at least six weeks beforehand in order to allow time for preparation. At least one of the god-parents should be a practicing Catholic, and should always attend the preparation classes together with the parents if at all possible.
Diocesan policy requires that to ensure that names are correctly spelled in the parish baptismal register, as well as on the baptism certificate, the information be taken from a state or county birth certificate. If this is not available, the hospital record will suffice.
MARRIAGE
Couples planning to get married must see the priest at least six months before the wedding date to allow sufficient time for the required preparation. Some couples may feel that six months is an unreasonably long time for preparation. Consider however, the amount of time that goes into preparing for the wedding — invitation lists, a venue for the reception, catering, dress makers, flowers, music, photographers etc., etc., all of which are arranged over a period of several months. The wedding party is carefully chosen too, each person being carefully instructed in their role. A full revue is made ahead of time to make absolutely certain everything goes smoothly and according to plan, and finally there is a full rehearsal of the wedding ceremony the day before.
The cost of all this, including the reception, can run into several thousand of dollars — all for the wedding which lasts a few hours!
How much more time and preparation should we not put in for the marriage itself, which is to last a life time? Diocesan regulations require a six month period of preparation for marriage. This is the general practice throughout the entire
QUINCEAÑERA
Girls desiring to celebrate their quinceañera with a special Mass in church must fulfill the following conditions:
a) They must have made their First Holy Communion.
b) If resident in the parish, they must have been attending Sunday Mass every week.
c) They must have been attending Religious Education classes regularly for the previous two years.