Baptism

"Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.  Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons [and daughters] of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission..." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1214)

The Sacrament of Baptism is routinely celebrated at Little Flower and can be administered both during Mass or outside of Mass.  For adults, the Sacrament of Baptism is normally given after a period of preparation, usually through RCIA (see below). If you would like to schedule a baptism, please contact the Parish Office at (251) 478-3381.

First Communion

Pope St. Pius X (b.1835--d.1914) famously lowered the age requirement to receive first Holy Communion to 7 years old.  This is a great gift to our young people, to be able to receive Jesus' Body, Blood, Soul, & Divinity in the Eucharist at such an early age!

In order to receive their first Holy Communion, parents at Little Flower need to enroll their children in religious education so that they can be prepared to receive this great gift.  Typically children receive their first Holy Communion in the 2nd Grade. Occasionally it happens that a person did not receive First Communion when they were younger. If this is the case, please contact the Parish Office so that we can assist you in making your First Holy Communion. For more information, contact our Religious Education Director, Tommie Angel, at tangel@littleflowerschool.cc or call the Parish Office at (251) 478-3381.

First Reconciliation

"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, Jesus showed himself to his apostles.  He breathed on them, and said to them: Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." (John 20:19, 22-23)

"The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred by a particular sacrament called the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance, or reconciliation." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1486)

Typically, young people in our parish prepare to make their "first confession" in the 2nd Grade.  Occasionally it happens that a person did not make their first Confession when they were younger. If this applies to you, and you would like to receive the Sacrament, please contact the Parish Office so that we can assist you. To enroll your child for sacramental preparation, or if you have further questions, contact our Religious Education Director, Tommie Angel at tangel@littleflowerschool.cc or call the Parish Office at (251) 478-3381.

anointing of the sick

"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 [or her] to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.'" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1514)

If you would like to request this sacrament, please call the Parish Office at (251) 478-3381.  If it is an emergency, please call (251) 473-3340.

marriage

"The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church.  It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1661.)

Many couples choose to get married at Little Flower, and we are happy to host your wedding as well!  In order to ensure the availability of the church, as well as to give ample time to good marriage preparation and attendance at an Engaged Encounter, couples should contact the Parish Office at least 6 months in advance of the wedding.  For more information, or to get your wedding on the parish schedule, call (251) 478-3381.

Click here for more resources concerning the Sacrament of Marriage in the Archdiocese of Mobile!

Office of Catholic initiation of adults (Ocia)

The Second Vatican Council (Vatican II 1962-1965) reinstated the ancient catechumenate for adults to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church. These Rites, practiced in the Early Church, prepare adults for full initiation into the Catholic Church in stages over a period of time, usually culminating at the Easter Vigil (the night before Easter Sunday).

The modern Office of Catholic initiation of adults (OCIA) is for those adults who fall into one of the following situations: 1) those who, having heard the Word of God, now wish to be baptized in the Catholic Church; 2) those who have been baptized in another Christian denomination, but now wish to enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church; 3) one who has already been baptized in the Catholic Church, has already made his or her first Confession and has already received first Holy Communion, but has never received the Sacrament of Confirmation and now wishes to do so. (At Little Flower, we also welcome those Catholics who wish to learn more about their faith to attend the weekly lessons, however we ask that they register for OCIA as well.)

OCIA is usually structured as a meeting one night per week, beginning at the end of the summer (usually September) and culminating at Easter with the reception of Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation. It is also possible to meet privately one-on-one with a priest in order to be prepared to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. If time is an issue, if there is an issue of poor health, or there exists some other extraordinary circumstance, please contact Betty Ebel as soon as possible so that we can best serve you. (Betty: bebel@comcast.net)

If you are interested in becoming a Catholic, or if you are a Catholic adult who wishes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, please call (251) 478-3381 or stop by the Parish Office.