Baptism

St. John’s provides a Baptism preparation class designed for parents and godparents of infants. The goal of the class is to help parents become aware of the significance of Baptism as a beginning, not an end, to a lifelong commitment. The 1 hour class clarifies the purpose of Baptism from both a spiritual and practical standpoint. The class also provides parents and godparents with ideas and tools for raising their Catholic family as a “domestic church”.

Parishioners are required to take the class prior to having the infants baptized. We ask for both parents and godparents to attend the Baptismal Preparatory class that is offered the fourth Monday of every Month in the upstairs Conference rooms of the Rectory Office. These classes begin at 7 pm and there is no need to pre-register. Please be on time. The instructors also ask for no children be brought to the class to prevent any interruptions.

Parents Baptizing at our Parish:

Once the class and the mass attendance have been completed please bring the following to the Rectory Office for the scheduling of your Baptism:

You will need to collect the following for the Godparents:

Once all requirements are complete please bring them by to the Rectory Office in order to have your Baptism scheduled. Please make note that we have certain dates and availability for a baptism to be scheduled.

Parents/Godparents baptizing outside of Parish:

Once all is completed please bring to the Rectory Office so that the Letter of Permission can be given to take to Parish in which the Baptism will take place.

For any further questions please call the Rectory Office at 707-226-9379 ext. 10.

First Communion / Eucharist

“When we receive the Real Presence of the Lord and say ‘amen’—I agree, so be it—we are in Communion with him and saying yes to living as his Body in the world. It’s a huge responsibility and a miraculous joy.”

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life and the sacrament that sustains us for the faith journey. In the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself. In the Eucharistic celebration (Mass) we unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life. The Eucharist is celebrated daily.

Children who are at least in the second grade spend the year from September until Easter preparing to receive the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time in communion with the rest of the church during the Easter Season.

For more information, please contact Lola Espinoza, 224-8388 (preparation in English).

Reconciliation

Reconciliation, also referred to as Penance or Confession, is the sacrament in which Christ forgives sins and reconciles Christians to God and their fellow human beings. These services are available to all on Saturday afternoons from 3:45 to 4:15 pm. An appointment with a Priest directly can also be done.

In addition, a communal service is celebrated during the seasons of Advent and Lent. The sacrament may also be celebrated individually by appointment.

Preparations for children to understand and celebrate the sacrament are coordinated through the Religious Education Department.

Confirmation

Confirmation is celebrated once a year, generally around Easter. The candidates are from our community’s public and private schools. The Candidate is required to complete a two year program under the guidance of our parish. Confirmation is open to all young adults from 7th to 12th grade.

For more information please call Edna Solorio, Coordinator of Youth Confirmation at (707) 226-9379 Ext. 21 or by email: edna@stjb1858.com

Marriage

The Sacrament of Marriage, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, gives the couple the grace to love each other with the love of Christ for his Church. The Sacrament of Marriage is celebrated throughout the year, except during Advent and Lent. In order to properly prepare for this sacrament, a couple must contact one of the parish priests at least six months prior to the anticipated date.

For more information please contact the Parish Office at (707) 226-9379 ext. 10