Sacraments

We have listed below some general information for the Sacraments of the Catholic Church as offered through our parish and diocese.  Adults and children interested in learning about the Catholic faith (RCIA and CIC programs) or those who need special sacramental preparation, please contact Rachel Vaughn in the Religious Education Office (328-3220x102) for further information. 

Baptism - family must be registered members of St. John Neumann and attending Sunday Mass regularly for at least three months. An initial information sheet will need to be completed before parents and godparents attend the class. Baptisms are celebrated on the first Sunday of the month in the Worship Space at 10:30am. Please contact Carolyn Angermann in the Liturgy Office (328-3220x103) for further information.

First Holy Communion - preparation for making First Holy Communion is offered through the Religious Education Office. Children enrolled in Parish religious education programs are prepared in the 2nd Grade.  Sacramental Prep classes are offered for children in Catholic schools who are planning to make their First Communions at SJN.  

Reconciliation
Reconciliaton is offered regularly in the church on Tuesday mornings after daily Mass, as well as on Saturdays at 4:00pm.  If you would like to received the Sacrament of Reconciliation at another time by visiting with one of our priests, please contact the parish office to schedule an appointment. First Reconciliation for 2nd graders will be offered by 2010 on February 23 and 25 at 6:30pm. Sacramental preparation classes are offered for children seeking the sacrament who are not in regular RE classes.

Confirmation - formation classes for students wishing to receive Confirmation are offered, in the 10th grade year, however students have the prerequeiste of being acitve in the parish Youth Ministry/Religious Education program for the two years immideately prior to begining the Confirmation Formation in the spring of their 10th grade year. Please see the Confirmation page for more information. Please contact  the Youth Ministry Office (328-3220) for further information.

Marriage - For those preparing for marriage at St. John Neumann Church we ask that you be a registered member of our parish who has been attending Sunday Mass regularly for at least three months (visit our Newcomers page to register). Please contact Carolyn Angermann in the Liturgy Office (328-3220x103) for the initial interview, assistance and further information.  Please see below for diocesan information.  For those who are already living the sacrament of marriage, please see the programs (listed below) that are offered in the diocese to help support you in your marriage.

Diocesan Information for those Preparing for Marriage

Couples planning to marry should contact a parish priest or deacon at least six months prior to their wedding date in order to begin the marriage preparation process. Couples planning to attend the diocesan pre-marriage retreat, “Together in God’s Image,” are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Retreats are offered both at Cedarbrake Retreat Center and in a classroom setting at the new diocesan Pastoral Center, 6225 Hwy. 290 East in Austin. Please visit the Family Life and Family Counseling page on the diocesan website for dates and times.  Engaged couples must provide proof they have taken either the FOCCUS or PREPARE assessment before attending the “Together in God’s Image” classes or retreat. Couples must register by contacting the diocesan Office of Catholic Family Counseling and Family Life at 512-873-7771 or lynda-degroot@austindiocese.org. For additional details and registration forms, visit the Family Life and Family Counseling page of the diocesan website. 

Marriage Encounter Weekend for Couples to Deepen their Good Marriage
A Marriage Encounter weekend is offered to couples in good marriages who want to learn new ways to deepen their communication. The ME Weekend is an experience designed to help married couples communicate more intimately with one another. It's a weekend away from home, family and responsibilities, where in a comfortable environment a couple is guided in the discovery of new techniques of communicating and sharing with one another.  The program is designed to help marriages become a true source of strength. Most retreats are held at Cedarbrake Retreat Center from Friday evening (7:00pm) until Sunday afternoon (5:00pm).  There are also weekends occasionally held at various Austin area hotels with a similar schedule.  During the summer, Central Texas Marriage Encounter often offers a non-residential weekend at various parishes in the diocese.  These non-residential weekends follow the same weekend schedule, although couples sleep at their own homes and the programs is held in various rooms on the parish campus.  For more information and a schedule, please visit the Austin Central Texas Marriage Encounter website.

Retrouvaille Weekend for Couples who need Help through Difficult Times in their Marriage
Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi with a long i) is a ministry designed to help troubled marriages regain their health.  Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue … or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille has helped 10’s of 1000’s of couples experiencing difficulties in their marriage. The program helps spouses uncover or re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together. The program is for couples who are struggling and staying together, as well as for those who are separated. For confidential information about or to register for the program contact Vince and Judi Sweat at 512 267-6127 or visit the web site at www.HelpOurMarriage.com.

Holy Orders - In the Diocese of Austin, the age range for beginning the seminary is from 18 to 50. For more information visit the diocesan vocation webpage. 

Anointing of the Sick - A healing service where individuals may receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is offered on Mondays following our morning mass in the church.  If you or one of your family members would like to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at another scheduled time, please contact the parish office.