Confessions: Saturdays, 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM, or at your request.
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Baptisms: Parents wishing to have a child baptized should call the Parish Office at 985-785-8585 for information on the baptism procedure. Please follow these steps:
1 – Call to receive our Baptism packet
2 – Meet with the Pastor, and then finalize the baptism date in the office.
3 – If Parents and Godparents haven't yet attended a baptismal seminar, this online baptismal seminar should be viewed.
4 – Please inquire about the criteria for a family member or friend to testify as a Godparent.
5 – To have your child baptized at another parish, kindly inform the parish where your family is registered.
For Adult Baptism please see our Religious Education webpage regarding RCIA -- the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Inquire about our Open Faith Formation nights.
Some helpful resources:
Videos from Formed.org -- https://watch.formed.org/reborn
An Article on Baptism from the USCCB -- http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/baptism/
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Holy Matrimony: Congratulations on your engagement! We look forward to accompanying you on this journey. Please arrange to meet at least six to eight months prior to your wedding with the priest or deacon whom you wish to officiate your wedding. With his initial interview, the office can begin reserving a wedding date. Please call the Parish Office at 985-785-8585 for more information, and to schedule an initial appointment with Fr. Stephen if you would like him to officiate.
In addition to meetings with the priest officiant and some necessary paper work, Marriage Preparation at Holy Family ordinarily follows a form of “in-home marriage prep” with an experienced mentor couple.
-For an overview of the process: https://nolacatholic.org/getting-married-1
-For help in choosing your readings: http://www.foryourmarriage.org/readings/
-You might also benefit from the following Video Series available on Formed.org:
https://watch.formed.org/beloved-finding-happiness-in-marriage
https://watch.formed.org/marriage-unique-for-a-reason
Wedding Convalidations: If you are in a civil union or have not been married in the Catholic Church, and you wish to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony, please call the Parish Office for more information and to schedule an initial appointment with Fr. Stephen.
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Visitation & Anointing of the Sick: Please call the Parish Office at 985-785-8585 when a family member is unable to attend Mass for any length of time and would like to receive communion at home or the Anointing of the Sick. In case of emergency, if no one answers in the office, please choose the "Emergency" option from our voice mail selection, and Father will return your call as quickly as possible.
**Some Guidelines on Advanced Health Care Directives, from the LA Bishops: https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/13364/documents/2017/10/3-Approaching-Death_The-Moral-Choices-upd-2012.pdf
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Funerals: Our sincerest condolences if you have recently lost a loved one. It would be an honor for Holy Family Church to host a funeral ceremony for the members of our community, and on occasion we may be able to have the church available for other friends or neighbors of the parish. The following considerations may be helpful as you prepare:
1. Kindly contact the parish office 985-785-8585 before confirming your arrangements with the funeral home. Someone will be in touch with you to consider other details.
2. We wish to be flexible for your schedule. Typical times for funeral services are Monday through Saturday, with private Visitation for the family beginning at 8:30am, followed by Public Visitation at 9:00am until the Funeral Liturgy around 11am or as late as 12pm.
3. For a helpful understanding of the Catholic view towards cremation, please visit: catholic_funeral_guide_2015-1.pdf (d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net). Also view this video.
4. Our Social Events Planning Team will provide coffee in the gathering area of church and assist you with funeral details. This team may also be able to assist you in hosting your own repass.
5. Please note: some funeral homes may list fees for clergy or the use of the Church; this is entirely optional for Catholic services. There is no charge for the Sacramental of a funeral liturgy, although churches may require a rental fee for the use of the facility. If you so desire, a suggested donation of $150 - $300 can help us offset the expenses incurred at Holy Family. A stipend to the celebrant may also be offered.
6. Music: We have a small variety of musical options for the ceremony. The office can help you arrange this. For any visiting musicians we ask that they please set a time to speak with our music ministry to help cover the logistical preparations.
7. If the pastor from Holy Family is performing the funeral ceremony, Fr Stephen would very much like to spend time with your family beforehand if your schedule allows. Please work with the office to arrange the best time for that.
8. For the tragic death of a baby, born or unborn, the Monday Night Disciples funded “All God’s Babies” tomb in St. Patrick #1 where they allow babies up to one year old to be interred. They provide the baby gown and casket.
9. Regarding our efforts to offer financial assistance, consider the following options:
10. Other helpful Resources available--
-Formed.org video series on Grieving with Hope (free subscription to Formed.)
-Archdiocese available resources for funerals.
-Counseling services are available for those in need