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Sacraments -
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Christ instituted the seven sacraments of the new law. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) points out, “the seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the
Christian's life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life” (n. 1210).
At Saint Philip parish we celebrate the sacraments with gratitude and joy. We recognize that “the whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments” (CCC n. 1113).When we receive the sacraments, we are joined "in a living union with the only Son, the Savior" (CCC n. 1129). In the sacraments, "Christ himself is at work: it is he who baptizes, he who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacrament signifies" (CCC, n. 1127).
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Sacrament Information
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Infant / Child (age 0-6 years)
Baptism is one of the sacraments of initiation and is the first step along the path of holiness. Through Baptism, a person becomes an adopted child of God and a member of the Catholic Church. In the waters of Baptism, all sin is washed away. The infant is cleansed of original sin, and older children and adults are entirely freed of original and personal sin and all punishment due to sin. The baptized person receives the incredible gift of sanctifying grace and becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Infants and Children (ages 0-6 years) baptisms are a cause for celebration for the child's family, the parish, and the Church as a whole. This sacrament is so important that the Church teaches parents to have their children baptized "shortly after birth" (CCC n. 1250). If for some reason, your child under the age of 7 has not yet been baptized, we encourage you to come to the parish office and begin the process for your son or daughter's baptism. If your child is older than seven (7) and has not yet been baptized, please contact Becky Pursell at [email protected].Preparation for baptism of infants and children
Parents/legal guardians are encouraged to contact the parish prior to the anticipated birth/arrival. Only a parent or guardian with legal religious rights over the child may present a child for Baptism.
- Parents/legal guardians must either attend Baptismal preparation classes at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church or have attended preparation classes in the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston within the past three (3) years.
- A copy of your child’s Birth Certificate or approved legal supporting document(s) are required as soon as possible in the process. The issuance of a baptismal certificate may be delayed pending verification of data from the birth certificate.
- If you are not a member of our parish a Letter of Assurance is required from the pastor of your current church. If you are seeking to join our faith community, please register here
Note: if you need a Letter of Assurance from St Philip the Apostle because your child is celebrating baptism at another Catholic parish, please
Parental consent for child Baptism
Consent of at least one of the parents is required for a child to be baptized, and there must be a “well-founded hope that the child will be brought up in the catholic religion” (Code of Canon Law 868).Choice of godparents
The one to be baptized is required to have a godparent. One godparent is sufficient, but there may be two godparents, one of each gender. Requirements to be a godparent include:- A godparent for a Catholic baptism must be a fully initiated, practicing Catholic. A “fully initiated, practicing Catholic” must have received all of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist (First Communion) and Confirmation, and must attend Mass regularly.
- Godparents must be 16 years of age or older. The child's parents cannot be his or her godparents.
- Godparents must live lives of faith befitting the role of godparents.
- If godparents are married, their marriage(s) must be recognized by the Catholic Church as valid.
- Godparents must complete the preparation required by the parish. Should the person selected as a godparent not be fully initiated into the Catholic Church and/or is not in a Catholic marriage, he/she may be eligible to be a Christian witness but not a godparent.
If there are any questions or concerns about baptismal preparation at Saint Philip, please call the parish office at 281-324-1478.Adults
Adults considering baptism in the Catholic Church are encouraged to complete an interest form and a member of our parish will reach out to you shortly. - Parents/legal guardians must either attend Baptismal preparation classes at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church or have attended preparation classes in the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston within the past three (3) years.
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One of the most important events in the life of a Catholic is the day he or she is confirmed. St. Philip offers a program to specifically help high school students prepare well for reception of Confirmation and a life-long commitment to Christ and His Church. We also offer preparation through OCIA for adults who desire to receive the sacrament.
As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For ‘by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.’ ” (n. 1285)More information on preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation can be found on the Youth Formation page
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According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Eucharist is "the source and summit" of the Christian life. "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch" (n. 1324).
In the Eucharistic Celebration, Catholics gather at the table of the Lord. During every Mass we thank and praise the Father, celebrate the memorial of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and recognize the presence of Christ by the power of His word and His Spirit (see CCC n. 1358). We believe that in the Holy Eucharist, Christ is truly and fully present. Enlightened by this faith, we celebrate the liturgy with joy, receive Holy Communion with faith and love, and practice Eucharistic adoration with reverence. At St. Philip, we strive to prepare children well for first reception of the Eucharist and a lifetime spent receiving the Bread of life. Children typically make their First Holy Communion in the second grade. For more information, see the Children Formation page.
Eucharistic Adoration
At Saint Philip, we treasure the presence of Christ in the Eucharist and encourage Eucharistic Adoration. Following the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Thursdays until 10:00 p.m., parishioners spend quiet time with our Eucharistic Lord. If you would like to become a weekly adorer, you can sign up here:
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By receiving the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (also known as Confession), Catholics obtain pardon for sin, through the mercy of God, and are, "at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins" (CCC, 1422). The parish offers regular opportunities to celebrate this sacrament, and parishioners are encouraged to do so frequently. There is no better time than now to run back to Jesus; to help you prepare please download our guide.
Children typically make their First Confession in second grade. If your older child needs preparation for First Confession and First Holy Communion, please contact the CCE Office for information.
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament” (n. 1601).
The celebration of this sacrament between two Catholics or one Catholic and his/her future spouse usually takes place during Mass or Liturgy of the Word service. It is appropriate "that the spouses should seal their consent to give themselves to each other through the offering of their own lives by uniting it to the offering of Christ for his Church...." (CCC n. 1621).
At St. Philip, we offer couples and individuals help in understanding God's plan for their marriage and their family. We also understand the importance of offering support and skills needed to help couples live out this plan in their daily lives.Planning your wedding?
Please contact us at least one year ahead of time! Sacramental Marriage Preparation is a journey that shouldn't be rushed. It should be a top priority for engaged couples. This journey will help you acquire a deeper understanding of what God’s plan is for your marriage and what you will need to live out your new vocation according to that plan.How to get started
The first step is to contact the parish office, which will supply you with further information about marriage preparation ([email protected]; 281-324-1478). After reviewing the material, you will then meet with Father David.
A couple's wedding day is just the beginning. To have a healthy marriage, husbands and wives can benefit from the many programs and supports aimed at strengthening this sacred union. To learn about upcoming events, check the bulletin and this website. For resources on marriage, see here. Link
Marriage enrichment
While a valid marriage can never be dissolved, there are sometimes grounds to declare a marriage invalid. To learn more, the U.S. Catholic bishops address common questions regarding annulment here:
Annulment
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Our parish recognizes the unique role played by the clergy. Without priests, there would be no celebration of the Eucharist, no forgiveness of sins in confession, no Anointing of the Sick. Without bishops, there would be no Confirmation or conferral of Holy Orders. As Catholics, we owe a great debt of gratitude to the clergy, through whom Christ shepherds and blesses us. Our parish encourages and fosters vocations to the priesthood and diaconate.Role of a priest
In addition to offering the holy sacrifice of the Mass and administering the other sacraments, priests share in the mission Christ entrusted to the apostles. In ordination, priests receive a spiritual gift that prepares them for the fullest, universal mission of salvation "to the end of the earth." They are called to preach the Gospel everywhere (CCC n. 1565). Priests accompany us during both the joyful and the sorrowful times of our lives.
Recognizing their important role, we respond in prayer to the Lord's words: "The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers into his harvest" (Luke 10:2).
If you are considering a vocation to the priesthood, you can request an appointment to meet with Father David. To do this, contact Mel ([email protected]). If you would like to support our pastor with your prayers, you may consider joining the The Seven Sisters Apostolate.
Deacons are ordained in order to serve the Church in union with the priests and bishops. They do so by assisting at liturgical celebrations, distributing Communion, proclaiming the Gospel and preaching, presiding at funerals, and dedicating themselves to works of charity (CCC n. 1570). The archdiocese offers a discernment program for those considering the permanent diaconate. Before attending, men must first discuss their interest with their pastor and receive his consent. You can find more information about the permanent diaconate by visiting the Archdiocese page below.
Role of a deacon
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This sacrament is intended to bring spiritual and even physical strength to those who are ill. In the past, the sacrament was called "Extreme Unction" and was most frequently administered only to those near death. But after the Second Vatican Council, the Church returned to the original practice of anointing those who were seriously ill but not necessarily dying. As Pope Paul VI wrote: The Anointing of the Sick "is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived."When should anointing be received?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (n. 1515), it is appropriate to receive this sacrament:- prior to a serious surgery
- when an elderly person's frailty becomes more pronounced
- when facing a grave illness
- when the condition of someone with a grave illness worsens, even if the person has already received the sacrament.
What is the difference between Last Rites and Anointing of the Sick?
There is often confusion between these two terms. Anointing of the Sick is a distinct sacrament, celebrated for an individual or for a group of people suffering from illness, but not necessarily dying. The term "Last Rites" refers to special prayers said when a person is nearing death. The dying person may also receive three sacraments:- Penance and Reconciliation (Confession) if the sick person is able to speak
- Anointing of the Sick and
- Viaticum (Holy Communion received at the end of one's life).
How do I schedule Anointing of the Sick or Last Rites?
Call the office (between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday) to make the request.
If this is an emergency, call 911. Then, if the person is in danger of death, call the office (281-324-1478) and follow the prompts to reach the priest.
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