Eucharistic Liturgies

Daily and Holy Days - please refer to bulletin for current

Mass times.

Sacrament of Baptism
It has been the consistent practice of the Roman Catholic Church to administer the sacrament of Baptism to infants.  Parents very naturally want to pass along their faith to their child and the values that flow from that fiath; baptism marks the beginning of this faith life.  Parents wishing to have their child baptized must be registered, active members of the parish.  If you are not already registered, you may do so by contacting the Parish Office at (828) 524-2289).  We recommend that you contact us prior to the birth of your child, so that you have time to properly prepare for this very special event.  Please call the Parish Office for an appointment with the pastor for instruction and scheduling.

The Sacrament of Baptism is often called "The door of the Church," because it is the first of the seven sacraments not only in time (since most Catholics receive it as infants) but in priority, since the reception of the other sacraments depends on it.

Baptism has six primary effects, which are all supernatural graces. In addition to the removal of guilt for both Original Sin and personal sin, baptism also removes the remission of all punishment that we owe because of sin, both temporal (in this world and in Purgatory) and eternal (the punishment that we would suffer in hell). Baptism also provides an infusion of grace in the form of sanctifying grace (the life of God within us) and provides the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and the three theological virtues. Additionally, baptism allows us to become a part of the Church which is the Mystical Body of Christ on earth and enables participation in the sacraments, the priesthood of all believers, and the growth in grace.

How to Schedule a Baptism at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

Baptisms are schedule with the pastor. Parents must also complete and submit all the necessary paperwork along with the required Godparent certificate of eligibility at least one week prior to the scheduled baptism. Please see the link below for the Baptism Registration Form.

The Role of The Godparent

The role of the Godparent is to present the child for baptism and to help the child live a Christian life befitting the baptized. The following are the requirements:

One Catholic godparent, male or female, is sufficient but there may be two, one of each gender. No one can have more than two godparents for one child, nor can anyone have two godparents of the same gender. Godparents must be appointed by the parents of child being baptized and must be one who is willing to provide spiritual guidance to the child. They may not be the mother or father of the person to be baptized.

Godparents must be age 16 or older, unless the parish priest considers that there is a just reason for an exception to be made. Godparents must be fully initiated Catholics (one who has celebrated Baptism, Eucharistic, Confirmation and practices their faith) and not labored under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared. If the person you are considering as a godparent is not married according to the laws and practices of the Catholic Church, or is cohabitating [living together without marriage], you will need to consider someone else.

A Godparent must be an active, registered member of a Catholic Parish. If the Godparent is over 18, the person must be registered under their own name at a Catholic Parish. For those who are not parishioners of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Godparent must obtain a “sponsor certificate” from his/her parish indicating that he/she is a Catholic in good standing. The certificate should be mailed to the Parish Office two weeks prior to the Baptism.

While it is ideal that the parents select two Catholic Godparents, the Church only requires that there be one Godparent. A baptized non-Catholic may serve as a “witness” to the ceremony, as long as a Catholic Godparent is present. The non-Catholic should be an active and participating member of his/her Christian community. This restriction ensures that whoever is appointed as godparent, that person will be able to represent and attest to the beliefs of the Catholic Church, the community of faith in which the child is being baptized.

If Godparents are not able to be present on the day of the Baptism, a Godparent may be represented by a proxy. If you plan to have a proxy, he/she must be either a baptized Christian and/or a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing.
 

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions)
One hour before Vigil Mass on Saturday or Wednesday after the evening Mass or by appointment.

Sacrament of First Holy Communion

Families who are registered parishioners, desiring their child receive First Communion, where the child has reached the "age of reason" (minimum age of 7 years old and completion of the 2nd Grade), need to ensure their child received catechesis for the Sacraments of First Reconciliationa nd First Euchairst.  In order to register for these classes, parents must complete a "First Communion Registration Form" and submit a copy of their child's Baptismal Certificate.  Classes are held during the school year.  Dates and times will be announced prior to the first class.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Who should receive Confirmation?  "Every baptized person not yet confirmed can andshould receive th Sacrament of Cnfirmation."  (CCC 1306)  This sacrament generally occurs here at St. Francis in two year intervals.  To register for the preparation classes, parents of the confirmand must complete a "Confirmation Registration Form" and submit a copy of the confirmand's Baptism Certifcate, and proof of Firth Reconciliation/First Cmmunion.  Contact the Faith Formation site for upcoming classes.

Sacrament of Marriage

The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Jesus brought to full awareness the divine plan for marriage. In John’s Gospel, Christ’s first miracle occurs at the wedding in Cana. “The Church attaches great importance to Jesus’ presence at the wedding at Cana. She sees in it the confirmation of the goodness of marriage and the proclamation that thenceforth marriage will be an efficacious sign of Christ’s presence” (CCC, no. 1613).

Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. A marriage between two Christians, therefore, has a supernatural element as well as a natural one. The effect of the sacrament is an increase in sanctifying grace for the spouses, a participation in the divine life of God Himself.

Because marriage is so significant, the Diocese of Charlotte insists that all couples go through the marriage preparation process.  To begin this process, couples must contact the pastor at least six months prior to the date of marriage. 

Visitation of the Sick

Please notify the Parish Office if you or a loved is sick, will be hospitalized or homebound.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Fridays 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Bendediction

First Friday adoration is following the  8:30 a.m. Mass until 8:45 a.m. Saturday.

The ultimate highlight of our life as Catholics is when we receive the Eucharist at Mass. It is at that moment when we are most intimately in communion with God, experiencing a taste of Heaven, a foreshadowing of what it will be like when by God’s grace we one day enter into the life that never ends with the Holy Trinity. St. Augustine said, “No one partakes of this Flesh before he has adored it.” The experience of receiving Communion is so brief. To make the most of that fleeting moment, prepare yourself to receive Him by spending time in Adoration. Adoring the Blessed Sacrament heightens our senses to perceive the Real Presence, the Real Jesus. After receiving Him at Mass, spend time in prayer in His Presence, reflecting on the gift you have received, asking Him to transform your life through the power of the Eucharist. He is waiting for you in the tabernacle, or in the monstrance at special times of Eucharistic Adoration. Eucharistic Adoration is the best way we have on this earth to spend a long time in quiet conversation with Jesus. You’ll recall that just before Jesus physically left the apostles and ascended to the Father, he reassured them, “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) This statement is fulfilled in the reality of Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist, in the hands of the priest at Mass each day, reserved in the tabernacles in the heart of our churches, and right before our very eyes in Eucharistic Adoration.

What sets Eucharistic Adoration apart from other forms of prayer is that we are able to be in the same room with Him present in the Blessed Sacrament, the Eucharist. Though veiled under the appearance of bread, in reality we are gazing on His Sacred Heart, and the love that radiates from the little white host in the monstrance (the beautiful stand which holds the host behind glass for the adorer to see) is transforming. Sitting or kneeling in the presence of Jesus, the rays of His love touch our souls and provide healing, reassurance, comfort, strength… whatever it is we need in this life to help us live according to God’s will so we can one day live with Him forever in Heaven.