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Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston |
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Sacraments
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Sacrament Preparation Policies & Guidelines
Through the Church’s liturgical and sacramental life, we encounter a loving God that cares for us from birth to death. The purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify men, to build up the Body of Christ, and finally to give worship to God by uniting us to the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ. The way we, his followers, live and pray is a testament to how relevant our bond to the paschal mystery of Christ is to our lives. The parish of Most Holy Trinity, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is committed to assisting each person discover the fullness of God’s blessings through its celebration of the liturgy and sacraments.
The following guidelines and policies are given in the spirit of love for all those who prepare to celebrate the sacraments and in the spirit of faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus Christ and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church.
Additional information about Continuance of Catholic Education (CCE) can be found at this link: CCE Handbook. It includes information about CCE not found on this Web page. This handbook is to be read in its entirety by all CCE students and parents.
Please click here for forms to be signed by CCE students and parents, such as the CCE registration Form, Medical Consent Form, Consent and Liability Waiver Form with Photography Consent Form, and the Transportation Information Form.
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R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children)
The Rite of Christian Initiation is the process by which the human experience of coming to faith is taken seriously. Those who seek Christ and wish to become fully initiated members of the Catholic faith are admitted to this process, which utilizes the restored rite of the ancient Church’s form of bringing members to faith.
This restored rite of the Church is the normative process for both adults and children who have reached catechetical age, (7 years or older) and leads individuals to full participation in the life of Christ as practiced through the Church’s liturgical and sacramental life. Individuals who are un-baptized, baptized into another faith denomination, or baptized as infants in the Roman Catholic faith but never catechized and wish to complete their initiation through the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist are those who become candidates for this process.
Children who were not baptized as infants, have attained the use of reason and are of catechetical age, who are presented by their parent/guardian or who present themselves with parental permission, and who are capable of a personal faith and the formation of conscience are those who are candidates for the RCIA for children. The formation of children of catechetical age, including adolescents, shall follow the general pattern of the adult process as far as possible.
The process employs four periods: inquiry, catechumenate, purification and enlightenment, and mystagogy. Each period promotes the ongoing journey of all Christians to continued conversion, to a more intimate participation in the death and resurrection of Christ, to a fuller appreciation of the Christian tradition of prayer, creed, and ongoing faith formation, and a more active role in the Church’s mission and ministry. Throughout the process, the scope of formation is dependent on the age and background of the individual seeking entrance. They are supported and strengthened spiritually in the midst of the community and given suitable pastoral formation and guidance to prepare them to live the Christian life.
An initial interview with the candidate and/or
their parents is conducted by the pastor, his delegate, or RCIA director
to determine the level of catechesis and the appropriate placement of
the individual in the process. Call the parish or CCE office for
further information.
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Sacrament of (Infant) Baptism
Catholic parents preparing for the baptism of their infant
are expected to participate in a process of sacramental preparation
before the baptism of their child. This process can begin before the
baby is born. It is recommended that parents contact the parish office
early on in the pregnancy. This ministry to parents is viewed as
spiritual guidance or formation and pastoral care as well as
catechesis. Godparents are also encouraged to participate.
The preparation will assist parents by emphasizing the sincere love and concern for family, the desire to deepen their relationship to the church and assist them in arriving at a deeper appreciation of baptism and their own vacation as Christian parents. It is the hope that what is expected for adults and children of catechetical age through the order of initiation will begin and develop at home as parents provide an environment and the personal example that will foster and nurture the child’s faith. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 1250-1255) A copy of the child’s birth certificate must be presented to the parish office before the reception of baptism.
Please click on the following link to download
parish guidelines:
Infant Baptism Preparation.
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Sacraments of First Reconciliation (Penance)
and First Eucharist (Communion)
In preparing children for their first reception of Eucharist, the parish
of Most Holy Trinity desires to foster a greater appreciation for the
sacrament of Eucharist as a sacrament of initiation. Each time we share
in the Eucharist, we are initiated more deeply into the saving death and
resurrection of the Lord. Our participation in the Eucharist renews our
commitment as baptized Christians to carry on Christ’s ministry in the
world.
Continued catechesis is given yearly in all catechetical programs for children, inasmuch as the sacraments require lifelong participation and study. Immediate preparation classes for 1st Penance and 1st Eucharist are offered during the second grade level, which is usually the time when a child reaches the age of reason, that is about the seventh year. The sacrament preparation classes are in addition to the regular CCE classes that the child must be enrolled and faithfully attending.
Children preparing for the sacrament of 1st Eucharist must be prepared for and given the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance before their reception of Eucharist. Catechesis for 1st Eucharist is conducted separately from catechesis for the sacrament of penance, since these are two distinct sacraments and each deserves its own concentrated preparation.
The pastor, in consultation with parents, catechists, director of the parish sacraments program, and other appropriate ministers is to determine the readiness of the candidates to receive their first communion in keeping with the norms of the National Catechetical Directory and the Diocesan guidelines. Assessment of the readiness of a child for the sacraments, is based on the participation in the preparation process by the child and parent(s)/guardians(s), participation in the communal and liturgical life of the faith community, and on the child’s understanding of the nature of the Eucharist and their ability to show sincere commitment to participate in the sacrament actively and with awareness.
Recognizing the parent(s)/guardian(s) role and responsibility for the education of their children in the faith, Most Holy Trinity offers a family catechesis approach that supports family and child education/formation to the sacramental and liturgical life of the church.
A meeting for the parent’s of children eligible to
become candidates for the sacraments will be held prior to the onset of
the preparation classes. Detailed information will be given as to the
requirements of the child and parent/guardian.
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Sacrament of Confirmation
Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation together constitute the
“sacraments of Christian Initiation”. Confirmation is the gift of the
Spirit which confirms our belonging to Christ in baptism and which calls
us to be witnesses of Christ’s love for others. The reception of the
sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal
grace.
For individuals who were baptized and received First Eucharist as younger children, the parish of Most Holy Trinity desires to help them complete their initiation into the Body of Christ by enrolling them in a one-year immediate preparation process for the sacrament of Confirmation, separate and distinct from the on-going religious education formation, with a prerequisite of CCE attendance the prior year.
Consideration for the eligibility of candidates to enter this immediate formation period is discerned through the individual’s history of attendance in the catechetical programs, participation in the community’s liturgical and sacramental life, and their ability/willingness to make a faith commitment.
The two
year period of preparation is typically offered to mid-teenagers
entering 9th grade with the one year immediate preparation
falling during the 10th grade year. It involves directed
catechesis, retreats, service activities and immersion into the midst of
the communal life of the Church that will assist the individual to share
more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the
Holy Spirit. Invitations will be extended to eligible candidates by
letter and bulletin announcements. Parents of candidates will be asked
to attend an informational meeting that will provide an overview of the
process, and the expectations of candidates, parents, and sponsors.
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Sacrament of Marriage
Please click on
the following documents to download and review Holy Trinity's
requirements in order to unite into the Sacrament of Marriage.
Couples intending to marry should contact the parish priest 6-12 months
in advance. Either one or both of the couple must be registered in
the parish. There are no weddings during Lent.
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has, at its biblical basis,
the words of the Apostle James in his letter: Is there anyone among you
who is sick? He should summon the priests of the church, and the
priests should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the
Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord
will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, his sins will be
forgiven (5:14-15).
The Sacrament is a powerful reminder of God's care for His people. God cares deeply for the well-being of each and every one of His sons and daughters. The primary focus of the sacrament, however, is spiritual, not physical, healing.
Most Holy Trinity offers the Anointing of the Sick for those who are seriously ill, going into the hospital for serious surgery, and the elderly who are feeling the weight of their years on the first Sunday of each month following the 10am mass or phone the parish office at (979) 849-2421 if there is an emergency.