Sacraments


CCD

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine is the systematic instruction of children and adolescents in the faith of the Church through the teachings of Christian doctrine.  The goal is to form them into Christ's disciples.  In CCD, Christ's message is transmitted to students so as "to make [their] faith living, conscious, and active, through the light of instruction." (GCD 17)

This year we will offer CCD classes to children and adolescents who do not attend Catholic Schools.  Students in Catholic Schools are also welcome.  The classes will be held on Sunday in Lenes Hall from 10:30 A.M. until 11:30 A.M.

Two complete years of CCD are required for students not in Catholic schools, prior to the reception of First Holy Communion (2nd grade) and the Sacrament of Confirmation (11th grade).

Register online for CCD classes

First Eucharist

Our observance of First Eucharist will be celebrated on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at the 11:00 AM Mass. Registration for first communion can be completed on-line after reading the following:
  • First Eucharist or First Holy Communion is a special opportunity for a boy or girl to grow in their relationship to the Lord and to enter more deeply into the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist.
  • To be eligible for First Eucharist a candidate:
    • Should be in at least the second grade
    • must attend Mass regularly with his/her family
    • must be in the process of completing a second full year of formal catechetical instruction in either a local Catholic high school or parochial CCD program
    • if he/she is not a current parishioner of Immaculate Conception Parish written permission must be obtained from his/her pastor
  • In addition to any other religious formation, candidates for First Eucharist at Immaculate Conception Church must commit to full participation in our preparatory program. This includes:
    • Preparation sessions on March 28 and April 11 (10:30 to 11:30 AM)
    • A retreat on Saturday, May 1 (10:00 AM - 2:30 PM). The retreat will end with a Reconciliation Service during which children will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Following the retreat there will be a rehearsal for the following day.

Without a doubt, parents are the primary sources of catechesis for their children. They serve as models for their children's future religious engagement. The primary responsibility for all sacramental preparation, therefore, rests with them. The role of the parish and its catechists is to support the parents as they form their children in the faith. To this end:

  • One or both parents must attend an informational/registration session on March 28 at 11:00. This session will run concurrently with the children's session and will be held in Lenes Hall.
  • Parents are expected to assist their children in learning the required prayers and material to the satisfaction of the catechists.
  • One or both parents are asked to participate in the the retreat on Saturday May 1.
  • Each family is asked to pay $125 to cover the costs of preparation, materials, and liturgy. If a family cannot afford this, we simply ask that they attach a letter to the registration form asking that the fee be reduced or waived. No child will be denied due to financial difficulties.

Register online for First Eucharist classes

Mary Adele Baus will be leading the First Eucharist program with assistance from Religious Education Coordinator Valerie Robinson. You may reach them via email at mabaus@bellsouth.net or robinsonetal@gmail.com, or call Valerie at 504-421-6692.

RCIA

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the Church's process for formation and instruction of non-Catholic adults who wish to join the Church. The three distinct aspects of the process are catechetical, liturgical, and pastoral. "This comprehensive formation includes more than instruction: it is an apprenticeship of the entire Christian life, which promotes an authentic following of Christ, focused on His Person. It implies education in knowledge of the faith and in the life of faith, in such a manner that the entire person, at his deepest levels, feels enriched by the Word of God; it helps the disciple of Christ to transform the old man in order to profess the faith from the heart." (GCD 67)

Instruction at Immaculate Conception for adults who desire to join the Catholic Church will begin on Tuesday, September 4, 2007. Traditionally, the reception of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation takes place at the Mass of the Easter Vigil (March 22, 2008). We will meet in Lenes Hall on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Please encourage anyone you may know who has expressed an interest in the Catholic Faith to join us.

Register online for RCIA classes

Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation will next be celebrated on Monday, April 26, 2010, at 7:00 PM with Archbishop Gregory Aymond presiding.

Registration for confirmation can be completed on-line after reading the following:

  • According to the Archdiocese, "Confirmation is a gift and is offered to those who have been properly prepared and who freely choose to be confirmed."
  • To be eligible for Confirmation a candidate:
    • must be in at least the eleventh grade
    • must attend Mass regularly
    • must commit to full participation in our program, including service hours and "home assignments"
    • must be in the process of completing a second full year of formal catechetical instruction in either a local Catholic high school or parochial CCD program.
  • In addition to any prior instruction, a candidate must also participate in Special Sacramental Preparation, which is offered through Immaculate Conception's Spring Program, described below.
  • If a candidate is not currently a registered parishioner of Jesuit Church, permission to celebrate the sacrament with us must be obtained from the pastor of his/her home parish.
  • The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1309) states that "preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit – his actions, his gifts, and his biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life." To this end, our Spring Program will include:
    • Seven two-hour sessions, held every Sunday (except for Easter Sunday) from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, beginning March 7 and ending April 25
    • Regular attendance at Immaculate Conception Sunday Eucharist.
    • Completion of 5 hours of approved community service.
  • To cover the costs of preparation, materials, and liturgy, a fee of $125 is requested. If a family cannot afford this, we simply ask that they attach a letter to the registration form asking that the fee be reduced or waived. No child will be denied due to financial difficulties.
  • To register, click here.

Baptism

Policies and Guidelines for the Sacrament of Baptism

Ordinarily, Baptisms are celebrated after the 11 am Mass on Sundays. Family and friends are invited to attend Mass and then gather around the Baptismal font at the entrance of the church about ten minutes after Mass.

REQUIREMENTS

Scheduling: Call the parish office (504-529-1477) and speak to the parish secretary in order to schedule a date for Baptism and/or to register for the Baptismal preparation class.

Permission from home parish: For non-parishioners, permission from the home pastor is required. This must be sent to Immaculate Conception by mail, fax or email prior to the date of the Baptism.

Baptismal class: required (for both parents) in case of first child or if 5 years have elapsed since last class. The Baptismal preparation need not be done at Jesuit Church. In that case, the parish providing instruction must send a letter or certificate to our office.

Godparents: It is customary to have two Catholic godparents. However, as a rule, there must be at least one Godparent or sponsor who meets the following requirements:

  • has completed his or her 16th year;
  • is a baptized, confirmed, and practicing Catholic;
  • is in good standing with the Church.

A letter testifying to the above is to be sent to our office by the home pastor of each Catholic Godparent.

Sacramental Registry: The form that gathers information for our sacramental registry is to be completed and returned to the office at least two working days before the scheduled baptism. The church where your child is baptized becomes the place of his or her permanent sacramental registry.

N.B. A permanent record indicating reception of First Communion, First Reconciliation, Confirmation, Matrimony, and Holy Orders will be kept in the registry at Immaculate Conception for all those baptized here.

Baptismal certificates: Baptismal certificates will be mailed out within two weeks of the Baptism.

Fees: There is a $50 fee for each baptism.  This fee covers the cost of the Sacristan, preparation class, time and effort of the minister, clerical, and record keeping costs.  It is not necessary to give on-staff priests an additional stipend.  It is customary, however, to give an additional stipend to a visiting priests and deacons.

BAPTISMAL CLASSES

Held at Jesuit Church on the second Saturday of each month from 2:30 pm to 3:45 pm, just prior to our 4 pm Vigil Mass.

Participants should call the parish office (504-529-1477) to register for the class.

The classes are held in Lenes Hall, our parish reception hall behind the rectory. To enter, ring the doorbell at 130 Baronne Street or just enter the church and proceed up the side aisle to the exit door on the left.

There is no charge per se for the preparatory class.


You may download and fill in the form for the baptismal record here.

You may download these guidelines in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.

Marriage

Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church
is Available for the Sacrament of Matrimony


 

Fridays:  after 6:00 PM
Saturdays:  9:00 AM - 3:00 PM or after 6:00 PM

Contact:
Julie Vanderbrook, Wedding Coordinator
Telephone (504) 529-1477 x 242
Email: weddings@jesuitchurch.net

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:  8:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.

 

Click here to download a copy of our wedding policies.