sacraments of SERVICE
sacraments of SERVICE
Encountering Christ in Every Season of Life
The Sacraments are sacred moments where we encounter Christ in visible and tangible ways. Through these sacred rites, God pours out His grace, calling us into His family, healing our hearts, and sending us forth in service to others.
sacraments of initiation
The safety of every child is our utmost concern. To ensure this, parents or guardians must personally "check in" each child and receive a security tag that corresponds to the child's profile. During pickup, children will only be released to adults who can present the matching security tag.
sacraments of healing
At Patch Church, we offer a comprehensive curriculum designed to meet the needs of every child, providing various activities at different levels to foster their growth and development. Our Path leaders gather regularly, actively engaging with the children and continually learning fresh ideas to share the love of Jesus.
sacraments of service
We put in dedicated efforts to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed, channeling our energy towards ensuring that learning and engagement become enjoyable experiences. Through our engaging songs, and crafts, your child will leave Sunday mornings brimming with excitement!
sacrament of SERVICE
MATRIMONY
The Sacrament of Marriage is a sacred covenant in which a man and woman are united in Christ and called to live their vocation as a married couple. At St. Dominic, we walk with couples through a comprehensive marriage preparation process, ensuring they are spiritually, emotionally, and practically ready to begin their life together in the Church.
Preparation: The marriage preparation process is approximately six months.
At St. Dominic, our goal is to accompany couples through each step of the preparation process, helping them build a strong foundation for a lifelong, faith-filled marriage.
Marriage Preparation Process
- Initial Meeting: Meet with the priest and complete the Pre-Nuptial Questionnaire.
- Church Reservation: Secure the date for the wedding ceremony.
- Marriage Prep Inventory: Complete the Prepare/Enrich online inventory and review the results with the priest.
- Mentor Couple Program: Participate in the Witness to Love program (4 sessions for convalidations, 6 sessions for newly engaged couples).
- Marriage Prep Retreat: Attend the Marriage Preparation Day Retreat (certificate required).
- Natural Family Planning Course: Optional course for couples seeking additional preparation.
- Liturgy Planning: Meet with the priest to plan the wedding ceremony.
- Rehearsal: Attend a rehearsal at the church prior to the wedding.
Required Documentation
- Updated Baptismal Certificate (issued within the year of the wedding and with notations; if notations are missing, provide First Communion and Confirmation certificates).
- Marriage License (for newly engaged couples, provide to the parish office at least one month before the wedding; the priest will sign it after the ceremony for county registration).
- Two Affidavits of Free Status per person, signed at the parish office.
- Additional documents may be required for previous marriages (divorce decree, decree of nullity, death certificate, etc.).
- Certain marriages may require a dispensation from the Bishop, such as if one spouse is non-Catholic.
- Couples receiving preparation or marrying at another parish should consult with the priest to clarify additional requirements.
sacrament of SERVICE
holy orders
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the call to serve Christ and His Church through ordained ministry as a deacon, priest, or bishop. Through this sacrament, men are consecrated and empowered to teach, sanctify, and shepherd God’s people, continuing the mission of Christ in the world.
Holy Orders is not simply a profession or a career, it is a lifelong commitment to love, serve, and guide the faithful in their journey with Christ.
Preparation and Formation
Holy Orders is a gift to the Church and the faithful. If you feel God calling you to ordained ministry, please contact your parish priest or the Archdiocese of San Antonio Office of Vocations to begin your discernment journey.
- Discernment: Men discerning a vocation meet with their parish priest and spiritual directors to explore God’s call.
- Seminary Formation: Candidates undergo extensive theological, spiritual, and pastoral training, often at the Archdiocese of San Antonio seminaries.
- Ordination: Through the laying on of hands by a bishop, the sacrament of Holy Orders is conferred, marking the recipient as a permanent minister of the Church.
sacrament of INITIATION
annulments
An annulment, formally called a Declaration of Nullity, is a judgment by the Catholic Church that a valid sacramental marriage never existed due to certain circumstances at the time of the wedding. It is not a “Catholic divorce” but a recognition that the marriage, though civilly valid, lacked one or more essential elements required for a sacramental union.
Annulments in the Catholic Church
The annulment process helps individuals understand whether they were truly able to enter into a lifelong, sacramental marriage and allows them to participate fully in the sacramental life of the Church, including marriage in the future.
At St. Dominic in San Antonio, we are here to guide and support individuals through this process with care, compassion, and pastoral sensitivity.
Who may seek an annulment:
- Catholics whose marriage ended in civil divorce
- Individuals who wish to marry in the Church but were previously married
Process Overview:
- Initial Consultation: Meet with a parish priest or tribunal representative to discuss your situation and begin the paperwork.
- Filing a Petition: Submit information about the former marriage, including documents and statements regarding the circumstances at the time of the wedding.
- Tribunal Review: The diocesan tribunal reviews the petition and may interview the parties and witnesses.
- Decision: The tribunal issues a judgment on the validity of the marriage.
