CATHOLIC CHURCH
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi
SACRAMENTS
The liturgical life of the Catholic Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the seven sacraments of Baptism, Penance, Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick.
BAPTISM
In order to have a child baptized in the parish, the parent(s) must be registered in the parish, be participating in the sacramental life of the Church, participating with the community in Sunday worship, practicing stewardship of their time, talent, and treasure, attending Sunday adult religious education sessions, and complete a baptismal preparation process. At least one parent and all godparents must be practicing Roman Catholics. Non-Catholics who are baptized may stand as Christian Witnesses. Baptisms are celebrated at various scheduled times. Contact the Parish Office at office@stfrancisnixa.org to set up an appointment if interested in having your child be baptized in the church.
Adults wishing to be baptized must complete formation in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. For more information, see the Becoming Catholic page
EUCHARIST
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes “. . . the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Christian life . . . “ (paragraph #1324). The term “Eucharist” originates from the Greek word eucharistia and means “thanksgiving”. The glorified, risen, Jesus Christ is truly present – body, blood, soul, and divinity – under the appearances of bread and wine in this sacrament. We find the institution of this sacrament in all four Gospels. This sacrament is especially celebrated at each Mass and certain times are set aside to worship the real presence of Christ in this sacrament in Eucharistic Adoration (add link here). We are currently celebrating the Natural Eucharist Revival. To learn more about this revival and this sacred sacrament, you can visit these websites: National Eucharistic Revival: A Grassroots Response to God’s Invitation and Browse - National Eucharistic Revival
CONFIRMATION
In order to be confirmed, a teen must be in the 7th, 8th, or 9th grade. He/she must demonstrate a sincere desire to complete full initiation into the Catholic Church.
Confirmation candidates must be a member of a family registered in the parish, regularly attending his/her Parish School of Religion classes, be participating in stewardship, and complete a series of Confirmation preparation classes. Each candidate needs an adult sponsor who is a practicing Roman Catholic who meets all the canonical requirements of the Church to serve as a Confirmation sponsor. Preparation for Confirmation in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau is a two-year process. Confirmation I occurs the year before the scheduled date for Confirmation and Confirmation II is an immediate preparation process that occurs during the year of Confirmation. Candidates for the sacrament of Confirmation are expected to attend and participate in the regularly scheduled faith formation sessions for their grade level.
Anyone over the age of seven, baptized in another faith tradition, wishing to be confirmed must complete formation in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. For more information, see the Becoming Catholic page.
RECONCILIATION
A Communal Penance Service is offered two times a year in preparation for Christmas and Easter. Private reconciliation is scheduled every Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The sacrament may be celebrated on an as-needed basis by calling the parish office with such a request.
MATRIMONY
Couples must contact the parish office six months prior to the desired wedding date. At least one person in the couple must be registered in the parish for six months, be participating in stewardship, regularly attending adult religious education classes in addition to all the guidelines for marriage set by the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese. All marriages of any parishioner will be held in the parish facility, unless there is a serious reason that dictates otherwise.
HOLY ORDERS
Some men are called to serve Jesus and the Church today through the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. There are three levels of participation in the Sacrament of Holy Orders: as bishop, as priest, and as deacon. A calling to religious life is a gift from God. If you are discerning your calling, contact the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau Office of Vocations.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Anyone whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or age, anyone scheduled for surgery in a few months, any ill child, and anyone struggling with an addiction (food, drugs and alcohol) may receive this sacrament. The sacrament may be celebrated with an individual at home, in the hospital, or nursing home upon request. Please contact the parish office with such a request.
A community Anointing of the Sick service is held on the first Wednesday of Advent and on the first Wednesday after Ash Wednesday of Lent.