ST.  JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH 2012-2012 RELIGIOUS ED. CALENDAR:

AUGUST 2012

· Weekend of the 18th and 19th Registration for our programs after all the Masses in Lamy Hall (Soup Kitchen).

· Weekend of the 25th and 26th Registration for our programs after all the masses in Lamy Hall

· Wednesday, August 29th 5:30-6:30 p.m. registration for our programs in Lamy Hall.

· Registration on-going throughout the Month of August.

SEPTEMBER 2012

· 1st through the 16th Late Registration Period. A fee of $15.00 will be assessed.

· 11th Family/Parent Night Kick-Off at 6 PM in the Parish Hall.

· 16th Start of our Sunday Classes. 1st Class Session is a mandatory Orientation Session for both students and parents.

· 18th Start of our Tuesday Classes. 1st Class Session is a Mandatory Orientation Session for both students and parents.

· 19th Start of our Wednesday Classes. 1st Class Session is a mandatory Orientation Session for both students and parents.

BAPTISM GUIDELINES

FOR

PARENTS AND GODPARENTS

There is one class that parents and godparents must attend. The class is held every First Monday of the month. The class is held in the Pastoral Center at 7:00 p.m.  After taking this class, you will receive a certificate which is good for two years.

PARENTS OF THE CHILD BEING BAPTIZED MUST GO TO THE PARISH OFFICE TO FILL OUT THE BAPTISM FORM WITH ALL THE INFORMATION NEEDED FOR THE BABY/CHILD BEING BAPTIZED. YOU MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED:

·        Permission slips for the parents and godparents

·        Baptism Class Certificates for parents and godparents

·        BIRTH CERTIFICATE OF THE INFANT/CHILD,  if the mother isn’t married and wants child to take surname of the father

Baptisms are held on the First and Second Sunday of the Month. There are no Baptisms during Lent.

Please attend the 11:00 a.m. Mass, the Baptisms take place immediately after Mass.

PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP AT THE CHURCH FOR BAPTISM IF YOU HAVE NOT MADE THE FINAL ARRANGEMENTS AT THE PARISH OFFICE.

FOOD PANTRY (Food Give Away)

Will be held on the third Friday of every month.

3:00 to 4:30 pm at Lamy Hall (Soup Kitchen)

Everyone is welcome.  Bring your own bags or box.
You will receive 10 food items. 
You don’t need any type of identification. 

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Wedding Guidelines

It is in the spirit of charity and Christian simplicity that we have drawn these guidelines for those preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage in our parish.  Christ invites us to be meek and humble in our actions and modest in the celebration of the sacraments.  We should keep in mind that our faith in the Lord’s presence and the graces given to those who receive the sacrament is the most important aspect of the celebration. 

1.     Weddings take place in our parish church on Saturday mornings until 12:00 noon.  They may also take place in the afternoons and evenings from Monday to Friday. We do not celebrate weddings during the Penitential Season of Lent, Holy Days, or Sundays.  The parish priest or the deacons of St. John’s Church are the Church witness of the sacrament.  If another priest or deacon is desired, permission should be attained from the pastor of St. John’s Church.

2.    Wedding rehearsals generally take place on Thursday or Friday afternoons before 4:00 p.m.  Please call the priest or deacon who is officiating at your wedding

two weeks prior to the wedding in order to set up the time and date of rehearsal.  Everyone involved in the wedding party should be present for the rehearsal including the lectors.  The wedding couple should have decided the proper order of the bridal party for the ceremony (going in and coming out of the church).

3.    If desired, two floral arrangements may be acquired to beautify the sanctuary for the celebration.  Flower arrangements should not obstruct the view of the altar.  Candelabras are used only for benediction, not weddings.

4.    Music falls under the responsibility of the wedding couple.  Musical arrangements should be conducive to Catholic liturgical worship.  Our parish is blessed with several choirs, any of which may play at weddings.  Other groups from outside the parish need the approval of the pastor or his delegated authority.

5.    Rice, confetti, birdseed, flower petals, and bubbles are not allowed inside or outside the church.  Plastic or paper runners for the center aisle are not allowed.

6.    A 6-month preparation period is required for couples being married.  That is, from the time a couple fills out the preliminary marriage forms with the priest or deacon until the actual wedding date. This time period may be extended for pastoral reasons.

7.    No marriage arrangements will be started until the bride and groom are at least

18 years of age.

8.    If the bride or groom is not an active registered member of St. John’s Church, a letter of permission from the pastor of the parish of bride or groom is required.

9.    There is usually one couple acting as witnesses (padrinos) to a wedding.  Padrinos, if married, should have been married in the Catholic church and be registered members of a Catholic parish.  Padrinos may also be single persons as long as they are living as single persons and are registered active members of a Catholic parish.  Only one set of padrinos signs the marriage license.

10.  Photographers are required to meet with the priest or deacon before the ceremony for guidelines concerning pictures or videos.

11.  St. John’s parish hall, tables and chairs are not rented for wedding receptions.

12.  In cases of mixed marriages (Catholic marrying a non-Catholic) the Mass will not be celebrated out of respect for the many non-Catholics who will not be able to participate, or understand, or receive the Eucharist.

13.  Because of the priest shortage a deacon may perform the ceremony if the pastor is not available.  A deacon will preside at mixed marriages since Mass is not celebrated.

14.  The church has many expenses for the upkeep, maintenance and utilities of our worship space.  Therefore, we request that a donation be made to the church to cover expenses.

15.  Unfortunately, many contemporary fashions in bride’s and bridesmaid’s dresses are not suited to Catholic Christian sensitivities, and certainly not appropriate for use in a Catholic church were our Lord is present in the Most Blessed Sacrament.  Discretion must be used when choosing dresses for a wedding.  Miniskirts, bare shoulders, strapless dresses, decolletage which reveals any amount of cleavage for brides or bridesmaids will not be allowed.  Jackets or shawls must be worn in church with strapless or bare shoulder dresses or dresses that show cleavage. 

16.  Required documents:  A new copy of the Baptism Certificate from the parish where bride and groom were baptized.  A copy of the certificate from having attended either Engaged Encounter or Marriage Enrichment.  (No other pre-marriage program is accepted)  A Marriage License from the State of New Mexico must be brought to the wedding rehearsal.

If either bride or groom were married previously by the justice of the peace, this marriage must be declared null and void by the Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.  Consequently, a copy of the divorce decree and a copy of the marriage license are required. 

If the wedding couple is married by the justice of the peace, a copy of the Marriage License is required.  NO WEDDING DATE WILL BE APPROVED UNTIL ALL THE PAPERWORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND BROUGHT TO THE PARISH OFFICE.

After you read these guidelines, please set up an appointment with the parish priest to begin the wedding preparations.  We thank you for your cooperation in these matters and we pray that your wedding day will be the beginning of a long and happy married life for both of you.

WE UNDERSTAND THESE GUIDELINES AND AGREE TO ABIDE BY THEM.

Groom________________________ Bride______________________ Date______