Sacraments

Baptism

Parents: Need to be members of the parish. Preparation classes are provided by the parish for the parents and godparents. Prospective parents may attend the class prior to the birth of the child. Parents must bring the State Birth Certificate of the child when registering their child for Baptism.

Godparents: Parents should select the very best examples of the Catholic Faith as a support for themselves and as a living faith witness for the children they are honored to guide. Because of the serious obligation and responsibility held by Godparents, the church has established clear qualifications for those who are permitted to serve in this role:

  • Only Catholics can serve as Godparents at a Catholic Baptism.

  • Godparents from this parish need to attend the Parish Baptism Program.

  • Godparents from a different parish must provide a letter of approval from their home parish.

  • There may be one or two Godparents. If there are two, one must be male and the other female. Both should be at least 18 years of age.

  • Godparents are to be practicing Catholics, attend Mass each Sunday, and are fully initiated through the sacraments of Baptism, the Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. If married, they need to have been married in the Catholic Church by a Catholic priest or deacon


The above guidelines apply to children under age 7.

Children ages 7 and older needing to be Baptized may receive the sacrament through the OCIA Program.




Submit form to info@saintpaulmemphis.org

Parish Religious Eduction (PRE)

Bringing up your children in the Catholic faith... things every parent should know:

All Catholic children between First grade and 8th grade should be enrolled in Religious Education every year - either at St. Paul Catholic School, another Catholic school, or in our Parish Religious Education (PRE) program. Additionally, children who are home schooled must be registered through the PRE program in order to receive their sacraments at the traditional time.  

Parish Religious Education (PRE) runs from September- May. Meet on Sundays at 11:00am-12:15pm.




Submit forms to dre@saintpaulmemphis.org

 Volunteers -We depend on volunteers to keep our PRE program going! If you are interested in becoming a Religious Education Catechist, Assistant Catechist, or Parent or Teen Volunteer. Please contact the parish office 901-346-2380.

Adult Faith Formation (OCIA)

St. Paul Catholic Church offers the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) for those interested in learning more about Catholic Faith. Get answers to your questions about Catholicism, develop your spiritual life, and find out the steps required to become fully integrated into the Catholic family. Attending OCIA does not imply an obligation to become Catholic. In fact, it’s a great opportunity for Catholics to learn more about the faith. OCIA meets weekly on Mondays from 7pm-9pm (Spanish) and on Tuesdays 7pm-9pm (English).
The course runs from September-Easter week.

For more information email us at info@saintpaulmemphis.org and a team member will reach out to you.

Matrimony

The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament (CCC 1601)

The parties to a marriage covenant are a baptized man and woman, free to contract marriage, who freely express their consent; "to be free" means: 1) not being under constraint; 2) not impeded by any natural or ecclesiastical law (CCC 1625).

The Church holds the exchange of consent between the spouses to be the indispensable element that "makes the marriage." If consent is lacking there is no marriage (CCC 1626)

The marriage of a Catholic is to take place in the Catholic Church before a Catholic Priest or Catholic Deacon. It is a courtesy to notify the parish and to register one’s intention to marry before making any other plans or arrangements. 

Generally, such notice should be given the parish 6 months prior to the intended or tentative date of the marriage. Catholics can marry in either the Catholic Church of the bride or the Catholic Church of the groom.

For wedding planning, please call the Parish Office: 901-346-2380

If you are interested in pursuing a vocation to the priesthood, the permanent deaconate, or as a religious life,
please contact Parish office: info@saintpaulmempis.org

Holy Orders

By the sacred Anointing of the Sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed, she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ (CCC 1499).

If a family member is ill at home, in hospice or is scheduled for a hospital procedure, please call the Parish Office: 901-346-2380.

For Emergency Anointing or Last Rite after office hours please call our emergency line (901) 538-0970. 

Anointing of the Sick

Funerals

Please contact the parish office for arrangements. Office hours Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. 901-346-2380.