Baptism
Schedule
- 2nd Sunday of every month
- 12:00 pm
About Baptism
Through Baptism, men and women are incorporated into Christ. They are formed into God's people and they obtain forgiveness of all their sins. They become a new creation through water and the Holy Spirit. Hence they are called, and are indeed, the children of God.
Requirements for Baptism
Adults
The Catholic Church only baptizes those who have not been baptized with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Adults are baptized at the Easter Vigil Mass except in cases of emergency. Adults will go through our RCIA Program. Please call Paul Hickey at 361/241-8662 or Gracie Garcia at 361/242-9422 for more information.
Youth and Children (7 to 17 years)
Children and youth, with the cooperation of their parents or guardian, are baptized because of their own desire to live the faith life. We have a special program here at St. Peter's Catholic Church. Please call Priscilla Chapa at 361/241-3369 for more information.
Infants (Birth to 7 years)
The Catholic Church baptizes infants and youth children because of the parent's faith and their promise to share their faith with the child. Parents should be registered and active members of St. Peter's Catholic Church. Parents' preparation sessions are held monthly on the Tuesday prior to the second Sunday of the month from 7 to 9 pm. This is a mandatory program in order for your child to be baptized. The Sacrament of Baptism is given on the Second Sunday of every month at 12 noon. Occassionally there is an exception; announcements will be made in the bulletin when that occurs. Call the parish office at 361/241-3249 for any additional information.
Holy Communion
About Holy Communion
The Church affirms that, at Mass, Christ changes bread and wine into His body and blood, while the appearances of bread and wine remain. When we receive Holy Communion, we truly receive the body and blood, soul and divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, under the appearance of bread and wine.
Presence of Jesus at the Mass
This means that at Mass we are in the presence of the same Jesus who was born at Bethlehem, worked miracles, died on the cross, and rose from the grave. We receive Jesus Christ Himself. We are united to the God who made the entire universe, who guides creation with mighty power and who will judge us at the moment of death.
Requirements for Catholics Receiving Holy Communion
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confession as soon as possible (Code of Cannon Law, canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.
Reconciliation
St. Peter's Schedule
- Saturday
- 4:30 - 5:30 pm
- By appointment
Communal Penace Services
- Advent
- Lent
St. Mary's Mission
- Before 9:30 am Sunday Mass
About Reconciliation
Because of human weakness, Christians turn aside from early love and even beak off their friendship with God by sinning. The Lord, therefore, instituted a special sacrament of Penance for the pardon of sins committed after baptism, and the Church has faithfully celebrated the sacrament throughout the centuries - in varying ways, but retaining its essential elements. The Catholic Church urges the faithful to go to confession at least four times a year.
Marriage
About Marriage in the Church
Marriage is the sacrament by which Chirst Jesus joins a man and a woman in a life-giving and permanent union. It is the covenant of a man and a woman committed to each other through Jesus Christ involving a partnership of life and love. A couple is involved in a married love that symbolizes and reveals the love and the union between Christ and His people. Married love is not selfish and hidden, but grows within the couple and radiates from them to touch others, thus strenghtening the family, the community, and the Church. In the Catholic faith, marriage is considered a sacrament-sign made sacred by Christ to show His presence in the world and to help all people reach a closer union with God. Marriage is a scarament because it asks the couple to enter into a loving covenant with God and one another and to live faithfully as one forever.
Guidelines for Marriage at St. Peter's Catholic Church
One of the parties must be a registered member of St. Peter's Catholic Church. Contact the Parish office at 361/241-3249 for an appointment with the priest. He will give you the guidelines and expalin all the optiions available for completion of our marriage prepartion program. You cannot set a wedding date at our Chruch prior to this. Couples who are civilly married should have their marriage convalidated ("blessed") in the Church and may obtain information on how to do this by calling the parish office at 361/241-3249.
Sacrament of Anointing
Ministering to the Sick
Upon request, Holy Communion will be brought by a priest or Eucharistic Minister at any time. Please notify the office at 361/241-3249 about the persons in the hospital or shut-ins.
About the Sacrament of Anointing
The Sacrament of Anointing prolongs the concern which the Lord himself showed for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick, as the Gospels testify, and which He asked his followers to show also. This sacrament has its beginning in Christ and is spoken of in the Letter of James: "the Church, by the anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests, commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them." (James 5:14-16).
Who Should Be Anointed?
The Church extends the healing hand of Christ to the person who is ill or weakened by age. Anyone facing serious surgery may speak to the priest at the close of the litrugy to celebrate the sacrament. Family and friends should participate in prayers of the sacrament whenever possible. In case of emergency, please call the rectory at 361/241-3249.
Christian Burial
About Christian Burial
It has been the Church's custom in the funeral rites not only to commend the dead to God but also to support the Christian hope of the people and to give witness to its faith in the future resurrection of the baptized with Christ.
Rites of Christian Burial
Arrangements for a vigil rosary/vigil service and/or funearl Mass are made through the Parish office (361/241-3269) in consultation with the priest. Information about the funeral dinners after the services may also be obtained from our office.