SACRAMENTS

The Church defines Sacraments as “efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1131).

Each sacrament consists of a visible external rite, which is composed of `matter’ and `form’, the `matter’ being the material element used as well as the action performed with it, such as the pouring of water in the case of Baptism, and the `form’ being the words spoken by the minister.

The Church has definitively defined the seven Sacraments at the Council of Lyons II (1274). These are: The Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist); The Sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick) and The Sacraments of Vocation (Marriage and Holy Orders).

May your study of the seven Sacraments enable you to experience Christ more deeply so that your union with Him may bear fruit in your lives.

Baptism

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission.

— Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 1213

It is obligatory on the part of the parents and God-parents to attend the Pre-Baptism Course before the delivery of the child. An appointment is made with the priest on duty who will further guide and instruct the parents about the Course.

A form for Baptism must be filled out and handed over to the priest on the day of Baptism. A copy of the marriage certificate of the parents must be attached to the form along with a copy of the child’s municipal birth certificate.

God-parents must be practicing Catholics and above 18 years of age.

Baptism: any Sunday of the month immediately after the 9.30 a.m. Mass.

Confession

“Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.”
— Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 1422

At St Thomas, the Church priest sits in the Confessional every Saturday from 6.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. One can also make an appointment with any of the Parish Fathers and make a confession.

Reconciliation: Every Saturday from 6.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. and/or appointment with the priest and during the season of Advent and Lent.

Communion

“The Holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation…… The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it…. In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: “Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist, in turn, confirms our way of thinking.”
— Catechism of the Catholic Church nos. 1322, 1324, 1327

The Sacrament of the Eucharist (popularly called First Holy Communion) at St Thomas Church is administered to students studying in Std IV and above after having completed a catechesis which is held every Sunday in the School classroom at 8.00 a.m. The date of the First Holy Communion is selected after meeting the parents of the Communicants.

It is obligatory on the part of the students to attend the First Holy Communion classes regularly and take part in the intensive preparation programme inclusive of the celebration of the First Confession. The parents must also attend the meetings as and when they are arranged.

Communion (to the sick and homebound): Sundays

Confirmation

“By the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed…; In the Latin rite, “the sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, which is done by the laying on of the hand, and through the words, Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”
—Catechism of the Catholic Church nos. 1285; 1300

The Sacrament of Confirmation at St Thomas Church is administered to students studying in Std XI and above after having completed a catechesis which is held every Sunday in the conference hall at 8.00 a.m. The date of Confirmation is fixed depending on the availability of the Bishop and the same is then communicated to the parents.

It is obligatory on the part of the students to attend the Confirmation classes regularly and take part in the activities: spiritual and outreach, so as to fully understand the implication of the Sacrament. The parents must also attend the meetings as and when they are arranged.

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.”

— Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 1601

The Sacrament of Matrimony may be celebrated in the parish church of either the bride or the groom. (In our Archdiocese, it is usually celebrated in the bride’s church.) It could be celebrated in another church/shrine/chapel after obtaining no objection letters from their respective Parish Priests. The date and time of the Nuptial Mass are to be fixed in consultation with the Priest before making other arrangements like hall bookings, caterers, etc. Hence, the couple intending to get married should meet the Parish Priest or his delegate well in advance.

The couple must attend the Marriage Preparation Course (MPC) at least 6 months prior to the date of marriage. For details, you may log on to www.snehalaya.in. The details of the MPC are also displayed on the Church Notice Board.

Having completed the MPC, the girl goes to her Parish Priest and completes the initial procedures. For this, the girl must take along with her a fresh copy of her Baptism Certificate. A letter to conduct the boy’s enquiries is handed over to his Parish Priest who later returns the form duly filled to the girl’s Parish Priest. Banns are published in the Church only if the couple intending to get married is baptized.

The right to celebrate marriages belongs to the Parish Priest and/or his delegates. If a couple has a priest relative or friend desiring to celebrate the Nuptial Mass, a letter stating that he is ready to do so must be obtained and handed over to the Parish Priest.

Photography and video shooting should not spoil the liturgy or cause any distraction or disturbance or mar the sacredness of the celebration. Only one photographer and one videographer will be permitted. The video shooting will have to be done from a fixed place. Photography/videography will be permitted at the following moments: Entrance; the Nuptial Rite; the “offertory”; reception of Holy Communion; Signing the register…. Photographers and videographers who violate these rules may be debarred from rendering this service in our church in future.

Please ensure that those participating in the service and especially those who are coming up to the sanctuary for the readings, prayers, hymns, etc. are decently attired. St Thomas Church maintains a dress code.

Marriage: Date and time to be finalized after consulting the priest on duty.

Holy Orders

“Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.”
— Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 1536

The Diocesan Vocation Service Centre situated at Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Bandra (opposite Mount Mary Church) is entrusted with the task of helping young boys to discern their vocation. Quest Programmes are being organized regularly.

For more information, you can contact any of the parish priests or alternately contact the Director, Diocesan Vocation Service Centre, Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 4 Kane Road, Bandra (West), Mumbai 400050.

Anointing of the Sick

“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.”
— Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 1499

At St. Thomas, the Sacrament is celebrated any time in an emergency. All that the relative or the neighbour of the person to be anointed has to do is to come to the church, meet any one of the Parish Fathers and take him to the concerned person’s house for the sacrament of anointing.

In the event of a death and/or funeral, St. Thomas Church observes the following procedures:

Obtain a death certificate from the doctor/hospital.
Obtain a burial permit from the municipal office. An undertaker can assist you in this process.
A close relative of the deceased must come to the Parish Office and inform any of the Parish Fathers of the death of his/her beloved member.
The death certificate and burial permit must be handed over to the Parish Office before the funeral service begins.

Funeral timings: 10.00 a.m. or 5.00 p.m. on weekdays; discuss the timing with the Fathers if the funeral is on a Sunday.

Anointing of the Sick: Any time in an emergency.

Sacraments

Baptism

Confession

Communion

Confirmation

Matrimony

Holy Orders

Anointing of the Sick

Telephone
022 2927 6796
022 2927 6994

Parish Office Timings
Monday to Saturday
09:30 a.m. to 01:00 p.m.
The office remains closed in the evenings and on Sundays

Email
stthomaschurch09
@gmail.com

Privacy Policy

Terms of Use

Sacraments

Baptism

Telephone 022 2927 6796 022 2927 6994

Parish Office Timings Monday to Saturday 09:30 a.m. to 01:00 p.m. The office remains closed in the evenings and on Sundays

Email stthomaschurch09 @gmail.com

Privacy Policy

Terms of Use

Telephone
022 2927 6796
022 2927 6994

Parish Office Timings
Monday to Saturday
09:30 a.m. to 01:00 p.m.
The office remains closed in the evenings and on Sundays

Email
stthomaschurch09
@gmail.com