I. Baptism

The church has a long tradition of baptizing adults and children as well.  The rites of the Catholic Church as revised by the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council defines the term “children or infants” as those who have not yet reached the age of discernment and therefore cannot profess personal faith.

II. Confirmation

The sacred Congregation for Divine worship states that "in the sacrament of confirmation the apostles and the bishops, who are their successor, hand on to the baptized the special gift of the Holy Spirit, promised by Christ the Lord and poured out upon the apostles at Pentecost." 

III. First Holy Communion

The Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship defines the sacrament of the “Eucharist entrusted by Christ to his bride, the Church, as spiritual nourishment and as a pledge of eternal life. The Church continues to receive this gift with faith and love.” It emphasis in the fact that the “celebration of the Eucharist is the center of the entire Christian life, both for the universal church and for the local congregations of the Church.

IV. Reconciliation or Penance

The sacrament of Reconciliation helps to recognize our humanness and the realization of our weaknesses.  Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship decree implies that Reconciliation between God and his people was brought about by our Lord Jesus Christ in the mystery of his death and resurrection (Romans 5:10).  The Lord entrusted the mission of Reconciliation to apostles and the church has been able to carry out this ministry by bringing the good news of salvation to people and by baptizing them in water and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)

Our weakness has destroyed our relationship with God in sinning.  We lose the love and find ourselves away from God.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation has been instituted to renew our broken relationship with God.  Our reconciliation with God is made present through Jesus Christ, our Savior.  We are freed from sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and by the blood of Christ on the cross.  We are called to repent and follow the Gospel.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation helps children in Religious Education to trust in the power of God, admit wrong doing through contrition, confess the mistakes made and ask for forgiveness.  It gives them a sense of release and the power of forgiveness.  It also helps them to start learning how to take responsibility for their actions. For adults, the Adult Sacraments Program help them to take responsibility for their actions and to ask for forgiveness. The program helps them also to forgive and to trust in the mercy of God.  They come to realize their weakness and humanness and surrender to the mercy of God.

Reconciliation:  Saturday at 4:00pm, or for an appointment please call the office at 210-434-3247.

V. Anointing of the Sick

The Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship explains that “when the Church cares for the sick, it serves Christ himself in the suffering members of his Mystical Body.  When it follows the example of the Lord Jesus, who “went about doing good and healing all, (Acts 10:38), the Church obeys his command to care for the sick (Mark 16:18).  The Church shows this solicitude not only by visiting those who are in poor health but also by raising them up through the Sacrament of Anointing and by nourishing them with the Eucharist during their illness and when they are in danger of death.  Finally, the church offers prayers for the sick to commend them to God, especially in the last crisis of life.”

Father Fidèle Dikete offers the Sacrament of the Sick to parishioners in the hospital, nursing home or in their home.  Parishioners are advised to notify the parish office when a loved one is sick or in danger of death.  The name of the parishioner in need of assistance will be entered in the list of “Parishioners in Need of Prayer” and placed on the altar in a basket.  The priest communicates, or updates, parishioners to his parish community during Mass celebrations regularly on the progress of the patient.  Parish office phone number is 210-434-3247.

VI. Marriage

Sacred Congregation of Rites decree defines marriage between a man and a woman.  “Married Christians signify and share in the mystery of the unity and fruitful love that exists between Christ and his Church; they thus help each other to attain holiness in their married life and in welcoming and rearing children; and they have their own special place and gift among the people of God.”  They added “a marriage is established by the marriage covenant, the irrevocable consent that the spouses freely give to and receive from each other.  This unique union of a man and a woman and the good of the children impose total fidelity on each of them and the unbreakable unity of their bond. To make the indissoluble marriage covenant a clearer sign of this full meaning and a surer help in its fulfillment, Christ the Lord raised it to the dignity of a Sacrament, modeled on his own nuptial bond with the church.”

It explains the fact that “Christian couples are to strive to nourish and develop their marriage by undivided affection, which wells up from the fountain of divine love: in a merging of the human and the divine, they remain faithful in body and in mind, in good times as in bad”. The procreation and education of children are the purpose of marriage by their very nature and find in them their ultimate crown.  Children are the most precious gift of a marriage and contribute most to the well-being gift of the parents.

A young man and young lady, or a non married couple, who have expressed a desire to marry in the church will need to make arrangements with Father Fidèle Dikete at least six months in advance.  Please call the office at 210 434-3247 to make an appointment.

VII. Priesthood or Religious Life

Young men and ladies are called to serve the Lord in a special way.  A young man can opt to serve in a religious life by promising obedience, poverty and chastity or to be either a religious priest or a diocesan priest.  Young men interested in serving the Lord in this particular vocation are advised to call the Assumption Seminary at 210 734-5137 or if you are a parishioner please visit with Father Fidèle Dikete, the Pastor.

Young ladies interesting in joining the religious life and are willing to live according to the evangelical vows: obedience, poverty and chastity are asked to contact the Assumption Seminary at 210 734-5137 or speak with Father Fidèle Dikete if you are a parishioner of St. John Berchmans.