Emergency Anointing of the sick is available by calling the Parish Office
or after business hours the Emergency Sacramental Priest Line at 678-224-8434
Baptism
Baptism is the beginning of a lifelong journey of commitment to follow God and it is the first step we take to become members of the Church – the Body of Christ. This first Sacrament of Initiation into the Faith is a serious step and so there is a need for preparation for Baptism. Please contact us at the parish office by calling (770) 442-5903 for more information.
Baptisms at St. Benedict are on the first & third Saturday of each month, English at 11:00 am and Spanish at 12:00 noon.
Requirements for Baptism
Parish Registration: Parents of the child to be baptized should be active, registered members of a Catholic Church for more than 3 months. Please note that if you registered during the last six (6) months in this parish, you must provide evidence that you were previously active members at another parish, for a cumulative period of at least six (6) months. If not with St. Benedict, we need a Letter of Permission from their Pastor giving the okay to have the child baptized somewhere else (here). If they are not registered with any parish, they must register immediately and wait 3 months after date of registration to baptize their baby.
Baptism Class: Before the baptism one parent is required to attend a Baptism Class which is valid for 3 years; no children. Attendance is taken and Baptism paperwork is distributed. We will accept another parish’s Baptism class with proof of attendance. Baptism Class is offered on the 1st Wednesday of each month for 1 hour from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM in in room 5-7. Email rturner@stbenedict.net to register; for Spanish, email drico@stbenedict.net.
Sponsors: Godparents of the child to be baptized should be active, registered members of a Catholic Church for more than 3 months. Please note that if you registered during the last six (6) months in this parish, you must provide evidence that you were previously active members at another parish, for a cumulative period of at least six (6) months. Only one is necessary, two at most. If there are two, then there must be one male and one female. The Catholic Church takes the role of the sponsor very seriously. The sponsor/godparent is expected to give the child a good example of how to live out the Catholic faith, praying for and supporting him or her in their journey of faith. Therefore, the Catholic sponsor needs to meet these qualifications:
- Be a practicing Catholic and a registered member of a parish for at least 3 months. If registered at another parish, they must supply us with a Sponsor Verification letter from their parish.
- Be at least 16 years of age.
- Have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation in the Catholic Church. A baptized person belonging to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may be admitted as a witness.
- If married, must be married in the Catholic Church.
Anyone who is not Catholic may serve as a witness; only a Catholic may serve as a godparent.
First Holy Communion
The Church invites us to celebrate the Eucharist and to receive Holy Communion “often” and “worthily” (CCC 1389). The “often” part is encouraged because the reception of Communion strengthens our bond with one another, nourishes God’s life within us, and incorporates us more deeply into the life of Jesus (CCC 1324). Thus, it is the ongoing Sacrament of Initiation (CCC 1322). The “worthily” part is a little more complicated.
Adults who would like to receive this Sacrament for the first time should contact the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Coordinator at the Church office or by calling (770) 442-5903.
Preparation for First Holy Communion usually occurs in the 1st and 2nd Grade. If your child is older than 2nd grade, please contact Mary Beth McKenna at mmckenna@stbenedict.net to discuss options. Preparations for the Sacraments of First Eucharist and First Reconciliation require guiding your child in the practice of the faith. This includes Sunday Mass attendance as well as enrollment and attendance in our Faith Formation and Sacramental preparation sessions. This Sacramental preparation program requires two years of instruction.
Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ.
For adults who haven’t been to Confession in a while, the Catholic Church wants to welcome you back and invites you to participate in this beautiful sacrament of healing. Take a step in faith. You’ll be surprised about how free you feel after taking part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. So many Catholics describe incredible feelings of peace, joy, relief, and love that they never expected. Jesus is calling you to experience His mercy in this way too.
Confessions are heard every Wednesday 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm and Saturday from 9:30 am – 10:30 am or by appointment (email office@stbenedict.net). You can also schedule confession by calling the Parish office at 770-442-5903. Reconciliation rooms are at the back of the church.
Confirmation
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. Anointed by the Holy Spirit at Confirmation, Catholic Christians strengthen their bond with the Church and become better equipped to carry out the Church’s mission of love and service.
The last of the Sacraments of Initiation, is usually given in the 10th grade. At St. Benedict, the Journey to Confirmation is a 3 year program beginning with preparation in the 8th and 9th grades, with Confirmation celebrated in the 10th grade. Two consecutive years of preparation are required in order to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Students in Catholic high schools are required to receive Confirmation in their home parish.
Marriage
From all of us at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Congratulations! To receive the sacrament of Marriage, we ask that you please call the office at 770-442-5903 to discuss the process. Arrangements must be made by contacting the parish at least six months to a year prior to the anticipated wedding date.
Religious Vocation: Priesthood or Consecrated Life
If you or someone you know is considering a religious vocation and would like more information please speak with a parish priest or contact the Parish Office for more information.
Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is the Church’s sacrament for those who are sick and aging or dying and is a sacred moment when we pray for God’s grace to strengthen someone who is suffering from any form of illness.
To schedule the Sacrament of Anointing, we invite you to please call or email the parish office at 770-442-5903 or office@stbenedict.net. For after office hours Sacramental Emergencies, please call the Emergency Sacramental Priest Line at 678-224-8434.