Confessions: Saturdays, 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM, or at your request.
..................................................................................
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 – Parents and Godparents should attend a baptismal seminar, available monthly. 
4 – Please inquire about the criteria for a family member or friend to testify as a Godparent.

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://formed.org/study/5602e34a2c360d300a308892
  An Article on Baptism from the USCCB -- http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/baptism/index.cfm

..................................................................................

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 of 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://formed.org/study/596cd814d95dc5002a7684fc
   https://formed.org/study/55a92549505d8ba80aa99c22  
 
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.

..................................................................................

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://d2wldr9tsuuj1b.cloudfront.net/13364/documents/2017/10/3-Approaching-Death_The-Moral-Choices-upd-2012.pdf

..................................................................................
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. Please contact the parish office before confirming your arrangements with the funeral home. 

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 9:00am, followed by Public Visitation at 9:30am until the Funeral Liturgy around 10am, 11am, or as late as 12pm.

3. For a helpful understanding of the Catholic view towards Cremation:    https://d2wldr9tsuuj1b.cloudfront.net/13364/documents/2018/5/The%20Catholic%20Church%20%20Cremation.pdf

4. Our Bereavement Committee is often able to provide food for a Repass at a location of your choice, to celebrate your loved one.  Our Events Committee also offers Coffee during the Visitation, and can setup tables if you’d like to have additional food & refreshments, as well as pictures or video of your loved one on display.  Please inquire when you call the office. 

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, for yourself or for another’s arrangements, can help us offset the expenses incurred at Holy Family. 

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 setup 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 this.  

8. For the tragic death of a baby, born or unborn, the Monday Night Disciples of St Charles Borromeo parish offer some services you may wish to be aware of.

9. Helpful Resources available--
   1. Formed.org video series on Grief   https://formed.org/study/5c8ffd64d4cfd51400a8e731
   2. Archdiocese services: https://nolacatholiccemeteries.org/
   3. Counseling is available for those in need: https://nolacatholic.org/offices/catholic-counseling-service#services