St. Peter Catholic Church

SACRAMENTS

Baptism: Please call the church office at (901) 527-8282 to schedule Baptism of children.

Matrimony: Please call the church office before setting the wedding date. Either bride or groom must be a registered parishioner, "Friend of St. Peter," or have an ancestral connection in order to be married at St. Peter Church. A minimum of six months is required. PDF of the St. Peter Wedding Guidelines.

Anointing of the Sick: If someone is ill at home and would like to receive Communion or Anointing of the Sick, call the church office (901)527-8282. Anointing for elective surgery is recommended to be celebrated with family and friends (home or church) before admission to the hospital. When a parishioner is admitted to the hospital, family members are encouraged to call the rectory immediately (901)529-1255.

Penance: Confessions will be heard each Saturday from 4:20-4:45 PM or by appointment.

First Communion and Confirmation Preparation
Preparing for First Communion and Confirmation is a two year process.  Parents of children preparing to receive sacraments next year in 2011:  Please note that if your child is not in Catholic school and has not been attending religious education on a regular basis this year, we will need to make plans for your child to “catch up” over the summer.  Please contact Christina Klyce by June 1 for more information.

The following guidelines for sacramental preparation are based on diocesan norms:
    •    The Sacraments of First Communion and First Reconciliation are usually celebrated in 2nd grade.
    •    The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated before First Communion (unless the child is being baptized at the First Communion Mass.)
    •    The Sacrament of Confirmation is usually celebrated in 8th grade.
    •    These Sacraments are usually celebrated in the child’s parish.
    •    Children receiving these sacraments attend Mass regularly on Sundays and Holy Days.
    •    Preparing for these sacraments is a two year process. 
    •    Children usually prepare for First Communion during 1st and 2nd grades.
    •    Children usually prepare for Confirmation during 7th and 8thgrades.
    •    During these two years, the child is prepared in the following ways:
    •    Family prayer and scripture reading--Children should be learning basic prayers and reading (or listening to) the Bible at home.
    •    Parish Life (Mass and other parish events)
    •    Formal Religious Education
    •    Catholic Schools
    •    Parish Religious Education
    •    Catholic Home School
    •    Formal Sacramental Preparation Sessions and Retreats (usually during the second year)
    •    Parents attend sessions offered specifically for them during this process.  Parent sessions include content similar to that their children are receiving.
    •    Children in Catholic Schools and those in Parish Religious Education attend the sacramental preparation sessions and retreats together.
    •    Catechesis is not just learning facts about the sacraments (or the church).  Catechesis nurtures and deepens our relationship with God. 
    •    Catechesis does not end with First Communion or Confirmation.  Catechesis is a lifelong journey!