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- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist
- Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Matrimony
- Holy Orders
- I am Interested in Becoming Catholic
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In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy SpiritHoly Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),4 and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons 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." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213)
The first step is to contact Deacon Dan (daileyd@clergy.ptdiocese.org) or 850-304-7903, our baptism coordinator, for an initial interview. A Baptism Preparation session is required for both parents and godparents, and it is intended to help you understand how to prepare for your child’s Baptism. Parents are required to participate in this class only once and will not be asked to repeat it for subsequent children.
"The greatest gift parents can give their children is their love for each other. Through that love they create an anxiety-free place for their children to grow, encouraging them to develop confidence in themselves and find the freedom to choose their own ways in life." ~ Henri Nouwen
BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS INFORMATION:We are currently offering preparation classes for PARENTS and GODPARENTS on an "as needed" basis. To schedule a class, please contact our Baptism Coordinator, Deacon Dan Dailey at daileyd@clergy.ptdiocese.org. CLICK HERE to complete a Baptism Registration form prior to the class. You will need to print the document and bring it with you to the class or you can save and email it to Susan in the parish office, deshotels@olv.ptdiocese.org.
The role of godparents is to help their godchild lead a Christian life. Traditionally, the godparents are the ones to ensure their godchild is given a Christian upbringing if the parents are no longer able to fulfill that responsibility. They also assist the parents in the ordinary circumstances of daily life by their special concern for their godchild, by their example, and by whatever assistance they can provide in raising the child.
Godparents
A godparent should be a firm and enthusiastic believer who is ready, willing and able to help their godchild live a Christian life. A godparent must meet the following criteria:
- Catholic in Good Standing, leading a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken What does this mean?
- be at least 16 years old
- be a registered member in their home parish
- have received all three Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist
- If married, you must have been married in the Catholic Church; What do I need to do, if not?
- not be the child’s parent
- godparents should be one male and one female
A baptized non-Catholic can serve as a Christian witness, but there must also be a Catholic godparent. If you have questions on who may serve as a godparent, please ask.
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I Believe
"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." (Lumen Gentium, 11)
All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by water and the Holy Spirit
you freed your sons and daughters from sin
and gave them new life.
Send your Holy Spirit upon them
to be their helper and guide.
Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of right judgment and courage,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence.
Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.Prayer of the Bishop over the Confirmandi
2022-23 Confirmation Parent's Handbook
coming soon!
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The Source and Summit of Faith
The Mysteries of the Eucharist
Guidelines for Reception of Holy Communion
On November 14, 1996, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the following guidelines on the reception of Communion. These guidelines replace the guidelines approved by the Administrative Committee of the NCCB in November 1986. The guidelines, which are to be included in missalettes and other participation aids published in the United States, seek to remind all those who may attend Catholic liturgies of the present discipline of the Church with regard to the sharing of Eucharistic Communion.For Catholics
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 confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.For our fellow Christians
We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ's prayer for us "that they may all be one" (Jn 17:21).Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 §4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of Communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 §3).For those not receiving Holy Communion
All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.For non-Christians
We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.
© 1996, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
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Have mercy on me, a sinner.a
The apostle John says: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8). Sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church. For this reason conversion entails both God's forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. (Lumen Gentium, 11) Since the new life of grace received in Baptism does not abolish the weakness of human nature nor the inclination to sin (that is, concupiscence), Christ instituted this sacrament for the conversion of the baptized who have been separated from him by sin.
Times for Confessions- Monday, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- Wednesday, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
- 1st Fridays, 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- By appointments, 850-682-4622
Choice of Examination of Conscience
- Examination of Conscience based on the Ten Commandments
- Examination of Conscience in the Public Square | En Español
- Examination of Conscience in Light of Catholic Social Teaching | En Español
- Examination of Conscience for Children
- Examination of Conscience for Young Adults
- Examination of Conscience for Single People
- Examination of Conscience for Married Persons
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be healed with the oil of the Holy Spirit
Call: 850-682-4622 for the anointing of the sick.
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What God has joined, let no divide.
Congratulations on the occasion of your engagement to marriage!
We are here to assist you in pursuing the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Getting Married in the Catholic Church: FAQsHere are the steps to get the couple to the altar on their wedding day:
A. Baptismal Certificates- Contact the church of your baptism, informing that you are planning to get married within the subsequent six (6) months, and you are requesting an updated Baptismal Certificate with notations. [If you were baptized on a military installation, click here for Sacramental Document Requests.]
- When requesting the updated document, provide the church of baptism the following information.
- Your full first, middle, and surname
- Date of Birth
- Place of Birth
- Your father's full name
- You mother's full maiden name
- A mailing address
- Procuring this document can be done by telephoning or emailing the parish.
B. Meeting with the Priest or Deacon
- Soon after your engagement, contact the parish office and set up a meeting with the priest or deacon. 850-682-4622
C. First Meeting - What to Expect
- The priest or deacon will inquire about previous marriages. If this is the case for one or both parties, annulment(s) from the previous marriage(s) will be discussed.
- If a couple is civilly married and is seeking to "convalidate" their civil marriage in the Catholic Church, the couple will pursue the standard paperwork and preparation process as a couple who have never been married before.
- Banns of Marriage Form - These are witness forms. The groom and the bride are given two (2) forms each for a total of four (4) forms. The couple are to give their Banns of Marriage forms to two people have known them since the age of sixteen (16) years. Most folks have their parents each form. The chosen witness fills out the form and goes to the nearest Catholic Church to have their signature witnessed by a priest or deacon. The priest or deacon will sign the witness form and place a church seal on the document. The witness returns the Banns of Marriage form to the bride of groom who gave it to them.
D. What Comes Next
- Marriage Preparation Courses - The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee has several options for couple to fulfill this requirement. Review, choose, and complete one of the following in-person or online options prior to your next meeting with the priest or deacon: Diocesan Marriage Preparation
C. Second Meeting - What to Expect
- Bring the Certificate of Completion for the Marriage Preparation workshop or Online courses to the meeting. The priest will place it in your marriage file.
- FOCCUS - This is interpersonal communication skills inventory that can be taken online or administered by the priest or deacon. If you take it online, bring a copy of the report to submit to your marriage file. If you do not take it online, it will be administered by the priest or deacon. The results will be printed at the second meeting. The priest or deacon will discuss the results with the couple. A copy will be placed in couple's marriage file.
- Pre-Nuptial Questionnaire - This questionnaire is conducted under oath and separately by the priest or deacon. It is simply a statement of freedom to marry as expressed by each party.
- Dispensation - In the case of a mixed marriage (defined as a Catholic wishing to marry a non-Catholic), the priest of deacon will fill out a dispensation for submittal to the Diocesan Tribunal. The Catholic signs this dispensation, attesting they are assuming responsibility of having their children baptized and reared as Catholics.
D. Third Meeting - What to Expect
- Planning the Ceremony
- Go to the online site: Together for life Familize yourselves with what to expect in preparation of your wedding day.
- If the wedding is taking place at Our Lady of Victory, the priest or deacon will discuss how you wish the ceremony to take place.
- If your wedding is to take place at another church, all of the preparation has to be completed three (3) months from the ceremony date. This allows the transfer of documents between Diocesan Tribunal Offices. This is important for overseas weddings.
- Regarding Music for your Wedding Ceremony, Please Contact: Matthew Coleman at colemanm@olv.ptdiocese.org
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Serve the Baptized
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Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
The RCIA process is for those seeking to join the Catholic Church. If you are unbaptized or if you were baptized in another denomination, the RCIA process will take you on a journey of exploration of the Catholic faith.
For more information, Click Here