Baptism

"Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you.” -Matthew 28:19

Baptism is a true sacrament instituted by Christ. It is administered by washing with natural water and at the same time invoking the Most Holy Trinity. Since it confers grace by the signs being properly carried out, children can and should be baptized even while still infants. Baptism is necessary for salvation. Baptism effects the remission of original sin and actual sins and of all punishment due to sin; it confers sanctifying grace, membership in Christ and in the Church and the obligation to obey the Church's laws, and give an indelible character.

Baptism Preparation Classes

Prior to the Baptism, parents and godparents are required to attend a class which is usually held the 2nd Tuesday in English of every other month - January, March, May, July, September, and November.  Spanish class is the second Thursday of every other month - January, March, May, July, September, and November.  Please call the office to sign up for the Baptism preparation class 281-331-3751.  

Reconciliation

"Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you'. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.'" -John 20: 21-2

Reconciliation is the first Sacrament of healing. The forgiveness of sins is a sacrament instituted by Christ. Sins are forgiven only by the sacrament of penance. Sins are forgiven by absolution which can only be given by an authorized priest. It is a real judicial pardon. The Church has the power to forgive all sins. The effect of the sacrament is reconciliation with God.

Sacrament of Reconciliation / Penance:   

1/2 hour before each weekend Mass and by appointment 

First Reconciliation:  

Children receive the Sacrament for the first time at a time when they obtain discretion; usually around seven years of age or 2nd grade. Children are eligible if they are old enough and have received the Sacrament of Baptism. This sacrament is combined with 1st Eucharist in 2nd grade CCE Faith Formation. For any questions contact the CCE office at 281-824-0877.

Eucharist

“Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life. For my flesh is real food and my blood real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in that person.” - John 6:54-56

1st Holy Communion / 1st Eucharist

Children are eligible to receive their 1st Communion at the age of discretion; typically seven years of age or second grade. 1st Communion Preparation is a part of the 2nd Grade Curriculum and includes Parent led preparation for 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion. The Sacraments are celebrated in the spring semester. The archdiocese requires that children be in CCE formation one year prior to preparation for sacraments.

** Older children who have not yet received these sacraments will be prepared on an individual basis, please contact the CCE office if this is a need** For more information please call the CCE office 281-824-0877.

Homebound Communion

Any ill or frail parishioner who needs Holy Communion brought to their home or nursing home located within the parish can email the parish office or call 281-331-3751.

Confirmation

"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." - Acts 20:28

Confirmation is the sacrament of maturity and coming of age, instituted by Christ and different from baptism. It is administered by laying-on of hands and anointing with chrism accompanied by prayer. The chrism is blessed by the bishop and the bishop administers the sacrament.

Students that have received the sacrament of 1st Eucharist and are in the 9th-11th grade are able to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. This is a two year preparation course available in CCE. The archdioces requires students to be in CCE formation one year prior to sacrament preparation. If you are interested in receiving this sacrament call the CCE office 281-824-0877.

If you are an adult and need to be confirmed you can do this through O.C.I.A.

Matrimony    (Click here for Mandatory Requirements)

"Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate." - Matthew 19:4-6

For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person. It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God's values.

If you are interested in a Catholic Wedding at St. John the Baptist please call the Parish Office 281-331-3751 nine months before you set the wedding date.

Holy Orders

In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments by proclaiming the Gospel and by providing other means to holiness.

Holy Orders is the sacrament by which a man is made a bishop, a priest, or a deacon, and thus dedicated to be an image of Christ. A bishop is the minister of this sacrament. Ordination as a bishop confers the fullness of the sacrament, making the bishop a member of the body of successors of the Apostles, and giving him the mission to teach, sanctify, and govern, along with the care of all the Churches. Ordination as a priest configures the priest to Christ the Head of the Church and the one essential High Priest, and conferring on him the power, as the bishops' assistant, to celebrate the sacraments and other liturgical acts, especially the Eucharist. Ordination as a deacon configures the deacon to Christ the Servant of All, placing him at the service of the bishop, especially in the Church's exercising of Christian charity towards the poor and preaching of the word of God.

If you are interested in entering this vocation call the Parish Office 281-331-3751 for more details.

Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Last Rites, is the second sacrament of healing. It is a ritual healing of not only physical illness, but, mental and spiritual too. In this sacrament a priest anoints the sick with oil blessed specifically for that purpose. The Anointing of the Sick can be administered to any member of the faithful who begins to be in danger by reason of illness or old age. A new illness or a worsening of health enables a person to receive this sacrament a further time.