SACRAMENTS
The sacraments celebrated by the Church are signs of grace that make a deeper reality present to us. One reality we encounter through the sacraments is Christ’s presence in the Church community, his Body. This recognition of Christ’s presence in the community should lead to a stronger awareness of being sent on mission to engage in love-inspired action in the world. As Pope Benedict XVI notes in Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love), the celebration of the sacraments and the ministry of love are “inseparable.” Love in action, he says, is “an indispensable expression” of the Church’s being (no. 25).
BAPTISM
“Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift. . . .We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God’s Lordship,” wrote Saint Gregory of Nazianzus.
If you need to baptize your child. come to the parish office to pick up a baptism packet.
RECONCILIATION & ANOINTING OF THE SICK
The Sacrament of Reconciliation heals and mends our spiritual life by the forgiveness of our sins. It is the first healing sacrament of the Church.
Saturday: 8:45 AM - 9:45 AM
(30 minutes before every weekend Masses)
Communal Penance Services are scheduled during the Advent and Lenten Seasons.
Anointing of the Sick is the second sacrament of healing. In this sacrament, a priest anoints the sick with oil blessed specifically for that purpose. Individual anointing are done upon request.
Contact the parish office at 305-681-7428 for an individual anointing.
HOLY EUCHARIST
Sacrament of the Eucharist
The Eucharist is the sacrament by which Catholics partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ and participate in His one sacrifice. It is within this gathering of the community that we give thanks and remember what our Lord has done for us and pray together as a community about what we are willing to give back of ourselves in praise and thanksgiving. It is why the Mass is Holy, and we are made holy participating in it. It is our grateful response to our Lord’s command, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”
If you need to register for First Holy Communion please contact the office. For more information, click on the Faith Formation Page.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is a true sacrament 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. All baptized persons can and should be confirmed. The effect of the sacrament of confirmation is to give strength in faith and for the confession of faith and to impress an indelible character. Confirmation completes the sacraments of Christian initiation, by which one is fully initiated into the Catholic Faith.
If you need to register for Confirmation please contact the office. For more information, click on the Faith Formation Page.
MATRIMONY
Marriage is a covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, and which is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. The parish has a serious responsibility to preparing a couple for the Sacrament of Marriage, not just a wedding day. We are committed to assisting couples in all areas of preparation for the sacrament they are requesting.
Please contact the parish office at 305-681-7428 at least 9 months in advance and make an appointment to meet with a priest.
HOLY ORDERS
Holy Orders is the sacrament by which a man is made a priest or a deacon and dedicates himself to service in the Catholic Church in “Christ-like” fashion. Discernment of one’s call of where God may be calling us to serve requires time and prayer.
Interested in the religious life?
Vocations Director
Father Elvis Gonzalez
Administrative Assistant
Ileana Valecillos Roque
9401 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami Shores, FL 33138
305-762-1137
305-754-7762