Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life.  Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters of Christ.  We become members of the Body of Christ, the Church, and are made sharers in her  mission.

Infant Baptisms are celebrated with the parish community at Mass on designated Sundays during the year.  Baptisms outside of Mass are scheduled with the deacons of the parish and arrangements can be made by contacting the Parish Center.

The following are Baptism Sundays for the remainder of 2009 and for 2010:
  

January 9 & 10, 2010 February 13 & 14, 2010  April 10 & 11, 2010 May 8 & 9, 2010

June 12 & 13, 2010 July 10 & 11, 2010 August 7 & 8, 2010 September 4 & 5, 2010

October 2 & 3, 2010 November 6 & 7, 2010 December 4 & 5, 2010

Parents should register for Baptism preparation classes.  These classes review the baptism rite and provide an explanation of the meaning of the symbols involved in the baptismal ceremony as well as offer advice on Christian parenting.   They are held monthly, and you can register by contacting the Parish Center.  We encourage registration for the program before the birth of the child.

Baptism preparation classes are held at 12:45 pm in Room 2H of the  Parish Center. 
 
The remaining scheduled dates for 2009  and for 2010 are:

January 24, 2010 March 21, 2010 April 18, 2010 May 23, 2010

June 27, 2010 July 25, 2010 August 22, 2010 September 19, 2010

October 17, 2010 November 21, 2010 December 19, 2010

The role of godparent is a serious one and being chosen is an honor.
Godparents are supports for parents in modeling Christian living.  At least one godparent must be a confirmed, practicing Catholic.  If the other godparent is a Christian from another tradition, he or she serves as a  Christian witness.  Church law requires that godparents be at least 16  years of age.

Adult Baptisms are celebrated at the Easter Vigil as part of the RCIA  process.

Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by a special outpouring of  the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which seal or confirm the baptized in unison with Christ and equip them for active participation in the worship and  apostolic life of the Church.

The sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated with our ninth graders in the fall, after they have completed a preparation program including prayer, study, service, and a retreat.

Any baptized adult Catholic who has not yet been confirmed is invited to participate in the RCIA process in preparation to receive the Sacrament of  Confirmation during the Easter season.

The Eucharist is the heart of our Catholic tradition.  The Eucharist is the fountain from which all of the Church’s life and power flows, and it is the summit toward which all her activity is directed.

Mass is celebrated daily at Little Flower, and Communion is distributed  under both forms. Communion is brought to the sick and homebound upon request.

First Communion is celebrated by our second graders at selected Sunday Masses during the Easter season. 

Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Jesus continues to forgive, heal and reconcile us to our God and to one another.

A priest is available to hear confessions every Saturday, except Holy Saturday, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the Rectory Chapel. Parishioners are welcome to seek individual reconciliation and spiritual direction at other times by appointment with a priest.

First Reconciliation is celebrated by our second graders in Advent.

Communal celebrations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation are held during Advent and Lent.

The care of the sick and elderly is always a loving concern to the Christian community.  The Sacrament of the Sick proclaims and makes real the healing and gentle love of Christ.  It is available to those who are seriously ill, aged, infirm, or facing surgery.

Please contact the Rectory regarding any member of the household who is ill and would like to be anointed by a priest.

A Communal Anointing of the Sick is held once a year on a given weekend at all the Sunday Masses.

PRIVACY LAWS OF HOSPITALS
Due to privacy laws of the hospitals, we no longer are informed of parishioners from our parish who are admitted.  For this reason, please notify the parish when someone from your family is admitted to the hospital.

The Sacrament of Marriage celebrates and witnesses the covenant love between a man and a woman and symbolizes in that union Christ’s covenant love for the Church.

Since marriage is such a sacred and challenging vocation, it is important that couples be properly prepared to receive this sacrament.

The couple should make arrangements one year in advance at the Rectory Office, in accordance with archdiocesan policy.

During this year, they are expected to take part in a marriage preparation  process with a priest and participate in a Pre-Cana or an Engaged Encounter.