The Sacrament of Baptism becomes the basis of our Christian life, the gateway to life in the Holy Spirit, and the door which allows us to experience the other sacraments of the church.

Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God. By being baptized, we become members of the Catholic Church and our parish family.

Children are normally baptized within a few months after birth. Baptisms are held for registered members of the parish on the first and third Sunday of each month, and a short series of classes in preparation for baptism are required.

Baptism is celebrated on the first (1st) and third (3rd) Sunday of the month at 2:00pm. 

Please fill out the form below or call the Parish Center to make an appointment for the necessary interview. 

Child's Baptism Request

Common Questions on Baptism

Can I start the process before my child is born?

Yes, you can do so. Call the Parish to speak with a priest/deacon.

How long does the process take?

Older children (7+ years) usually require months of preparation and may need to attend the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults).

For infants, the parents need to meet with the priest/deacon and attend a Baptism Preparation class.

Can we baptize the child in another place other than the Church?

The Rite of Baptism should be celebrated in the parish church except in cases of emergencies.

Who can serve as godparents?

The Church requires at least one godparent who is baptized, confirmed, and living his/her faith. Other Christians (who are not Catholic) may serve as a “Christian witness” as long as one godparent is a fully initiated Catholic. 

Someone may also “stand in” (act as proxy) for a godparent who is unable to be present at the Baptism.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (the Sacrament of Penance or Confession)  is an invitation to Catholics to experience the love and mercy of God the Father through the ministry of priests. Catholics can experience healing through forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God and the Church.

Catholics are always welcome to receive this sacrament - whether it has been two weeks or two decades since the last Confession. Often those who go to Confession relay experiencing peace and joy and feeling the weight come off their shoulders as they receive forgiveness for their sins. If you have not gone to Confession in a while, we want to welcome you back to take part in this beautiful sacrament of healing.

Common Questions - Confession

Why do I need to confess to a priest?

Simply put, it is God’s plan. The priest is the minister of the sacrament acting in the person of Christ. In fact, confession of sins to a priest is the only ordinary way to have mortal sins forgiven after Baptism. Also, God knows how we can often rationalize our sins away and sweep them under the rug; and so, He wants us to confess and acknowledge our sins in a personal encounter. Know that our heavenly Father receives us with loving and merciful arms whenever we confess to the priest.

Won't I shock the priest with what I say?

Remember that priests have heard hundreds of confessions over the years, and there are really no new sins. It is a great privilege for the priest to hear confessions and be instruments of the Father’s Mercy.

Will the priest think badly of me afterwards?

No, quite the opposite. he will be inspired by your humility and courage, and likely won’t remember your sins anyway. And remember, priest too need to go to confession. Even the Pope has to confess his sins to another priest.

Can a priest later repeat something he heard in Confession?

Under no circumstance. If a priest does tell any person - even the police - something he heard in the confessional, he is automatically excommunicated.

I have done some really awful things. Will God forgive me?

“Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more” (Rom, 5:20)

God’s mercy is greater than any sin we may commit. If you are truly sorry for what you have done and are willing to make the necessary changes, the answer is YES. God the Father longs for you to return home to his merciful heart.

Examination of Conscience

USCCB Examination of Conscience

Confession Times at Holy Family Parish

The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and other ministries and works of Catholic people, are bound together and oriented toward the Holy Eucharist.

At Mass, the bread and wine is changed into the total Jesus Christ, body and blood, soul and divinity. Holy Communion unites us intimately with Jesus Christ, separates us from sin, and unites with other members of the Catholic Church. Catholics normally receive the Holy Eucharist at Mass unless they need to go to Reconciliation to seek forgiveness of their serious sins.

Catechetical preparation is administered by our Religious Education program. Please contact their office for registration.

Common Questions - Holy Eucharist

Can I receive Communion even if I am not Catholic?

No. Only properly disposed Catholics may receive Holy Communion. The word communion can be seen as “comm-union”, in other words “union with”. Reception of Communion signifies this union with Jesus Christ as well as an expression of unity and belief in the Catholic Church and all that she teaches. 

If you are not Catholic but feel drawn to the Catholic Church and the Eucharist, we invite you to visit our Becoming Catholic page.

What do I need to do to prepare myself to receive Holy Communion?

Catholics receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ every time they receive Holy Communion. We believe that Jesus is truly present in the consecrated species of bread and wine. Communion must then be received with the greatest reverence and worship.

The Church recommends fasting for at least an hour prior to receiving the Eucharist.

If you are aware of a mortal sin, the Church recommends going to Confession prior to receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.

How often do I need to go to Mass?

Catholics are obliged to attend Mass on all Sundays and Holy Days of obligation. The holy days of obligation are: December 25 (Christmas), January 1 (the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God), 40 days after Easter Sunday (the solemnity of the Ascension), August 15 (the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary), November 1 (the solemnity of All Saints), December 8 (the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception). This obligation is meant to be seen in light of love and devotion to Jesus, responding to his invitation out of obedience not mere duty.

The Sacrament of Confirmation enables the baptized person to be enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit and unites them to the Catholic Church to become true witnesses of Jesus Christ.

The effects of Confirmation enables us to be more united to Jesus Christ, increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit within us, and deepens our involvement in the Catholic Church.

Normally children are confirmed in 8th Grade. Please visit our Religious Education page for more information on confirmation. 

Religious Education

Adults who have not been confirmed may inquire about the process to be received in the Catholic Church through RCIA, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

RCIA

The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant which God establishes between a man and a woman for a partnership of their whole lives.

Through their marriage, they provide what is good for their relationship and open themselves to the procreation and education of children. This marriage bond is to help one another to attain holiness in their married life and forming their children in the Christian life.

Marriages must be arranged with the parish no later than six months in advance of your desired date. Please call the Parish Center or fill out the form below to make an appointment.

Schedule a Wedding Appointment

Holy Orders is the Sacrament through which men receive from God the grace to perform the sacred duties Christ entrusted to His Church. The Twelve Apostles were the first priests and bishops of the Church. Through the ages men have been ordained as bishops and priests by the laying on of hands to continue the mission of Christ and His Church.

In the early Church, the order of Deacon was created to assist the priest in the mission and service to the Christian community. (Acts 6:2-6) Today, deacons help the priest at the celebration of Mass, the baptism of children, the witnessing of marriage, and the celebration of funerals. They are ordained to serve and care for the needs of the Church's faithful as well as the poor, the sick, and marginalized of the world. The permanent diaconate is often comprised of married men. Through a call from God and affirmed by the local bishop these men assist in parishes. 

In the Latin Rite, a man who becomes a priest must be unmarried. He is to promise a life of chastity and obedience to the Church and his local bishop. His call comes from God and is affirmed through his bishop. By the laying on of hands the man becomes a priest who acts in the Person of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, anointing of the sick, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and all the other Sacraments.

Is the Lord calling you to the Priesthood? Diocese of Rockville Centre Vocation office.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick extends the healing of Jesus Christ for those who are ill and are suffering.

This ministry of healing is extended to priests who share in the healing mission of Jesus Christ. This sacrament is given to those who are seriously ill, who may be undergoing serious surgery, or in great need of God's healing in their lives. If it is possible, the Sacrament of Reconciliation precedes this sacrament and is followed by the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

If you or a family member wish to be anointed, please contact the parish office. Emergency sick calls will be attended at any time.