Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. -Mark 28:19

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word"
CCC Article 1: 1213 The Sacrament of Baptism Pg 311

Parents and Godparents are required to attend a Baptism Class before the baptism of the child.
Contact Father Roger to schedule an appointment and to share more fully in the joyfilled occasion.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life". -Romans 5:10

Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion."
CCC Aritcle 4: 1422 The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation Pg 357

Confessions are heard at Holy Cross on Saturdays at 4:00 pm until Mass time at 5:00, or by appointment. Special services are held in the seasons of Advent and Lent.

He is always present in a body of the faithful gathered in his name. -Mt 18:20

"At the Last Supper", on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross through the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet  'in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us'" (133)
The Eucharist - Source and Summit of Ecclesial Life 
CCC Article 3: 1323 The Sacrament of the Eucharist Pg 334

First Communion/First Reconciliation preparation begins in the First Grade and concludes in the Second Grade.  Students are required two years before receiving the Sacrament. 
(Sacrament of Baptism must be obtained before the Sacrament of First Reconciliation/First Communion can be obtained.)

Adult candidates will journey through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation as Adults) process with a sponsor, entering into full communion with the Catholic Faith. Contact the Rectory at 361-564-2893 to find out when the next RCIA classes will begin.

“We can study the whole history of salvation, we can study the whole of Theology, but without the Spirit we cannot understand. It is the Spirit that makes us realize the truth or – in the words of Our Lord – it is the Spirit that makes us know the voice of Jesus.” -Pope Francis

Baptism, the Eucharist, and the Sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian Initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. (88) For "by the sacrament of  Confirmation, (the baptized) are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed." (89)
CCC Article 2:1285 The Sacrament of Confirmation Pgs 325-326

Confirmation candidates journey through a required two-year program designed to encourage students in their faith life, while performing works of charity, and attending spiritual retreats.

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flresh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.  - Mark 10:6-0

The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.
CCC: Article 7 1601 The Sacrament of Matrimony Pg 400
 

Engaged couples wishing to enter into the Sacrament of Matrimony should contact Father Roger to schedule the wedding with the Parish. 

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
- Mathew 16:18-19

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be excercised in the Church until the end of time; thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees, episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.
CCC Article 6: 1536 The Sacrament of Holy Orders Pg. 383

For more information about discerning vocations and the religious life, visit www.victoriadiocese.org vocations page for resources and\or contact Father Roger at frroger@sbcglobal.net.
 
Young women interested in religious life can visit the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament in Victoria or go to their website www.iwbsvictoria.org for more information.

“And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. … So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.” -Mark 6:7, 12-13)

"By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are illl to the suffereing and glorfied Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the ood of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ." (97)
CCC Article 5 1499 The Annointing of the Sick Pg. 375

God's healing embrace. The Catechism of the Catholic Church has a comprehensive section on the Sacrament of Anointing (nn. 1499-1523)  The Catechism states that the "first grace of this sacrament is one of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties" that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age (n. 1520)

Please call the Rectory at any time to receive this healing sacrament.

Please contact Father Roger Hawes if you are interested in becoming Catholic, or, if you would just like to learn more about the Catholic faith.
Rectory Phone: 361-564-2893 or Father's email: frroger@sbcglobal.net