The Sacraments
Contact the Parish Office for more information or to discuss individual circumstances. For the parish Worship Schedule, click here.
Baptism -- The celebration of Baptism is a joyful moment in which a person becomes a member of Christ's family. In order to fully experience the grace of this special moment for the family and the parish, parents with children whom they want baptized must contact the church either before or soon after the birth of their child. At least one parent must be a registered and an active member of the parish. Baptismal preparation sessions, which parents are expected to attend, are held on the third Monday of each month. Baptismal preparation sessions in Spanish are the second Thursday of each month. Please call the parish office at 712-323-2916 to sign up for the preparation sessions.
Adults wishing to be baptized in the Catholic faith need to begin the process of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) that begins in the fall of each year. Those completing the process are baptized at the Easter Vigil.
Reconciliation -- Second grade children, with the assistance of their parents or guardians, prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation by attending learning sessions held in the fall of each year. These sessions focus on age-appropriate understanding of this sacrament of forgiveness. Each child participating in the preparation of the sacrament must be regularly attending the parish's religious education program, or be enrolled in a Catholic school.
Eucharist -- First Eucharist is celebrated when a child is in the second grade. These children and their parents or guardians prepare together by attending learning sessions in the fall, winter and spring of the year. The reception of First Eucharist takes place the first Saturday in May. The sessions focus on age-appropriate understanding of the sacrament. Each child participating in preparation for First Eucharist must have been regularly attending the parish's faith formation program, or be enrolled in a Catholic school. Exceptions may be made for a child in a special circumstance.
Adults wishing to be baptized in the Catholic faith need to begin the process of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) that begins in the fall of each year. Those completing the process are baptized at the Easter Vigil.
Reconciliation -- Second grade children, with the assistance of their parents or guardians, prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation by attending learning sessions held in the fall of each year. These sessions focus on age-appropriate understanding of this sacrament of forgiveness. Each child participating in the preparation of the sacrament must be regularly attending the parish's religious education program, or be enrolled in a Catholic school.
Eucharist -- First Eucharist is celebrated when a child is in the second grade. These children and their parents or guardians prepare together by attending learning sessions in the fall, winter and spring of the year. The reception of First Eucharist takes place the first Saturday in May. The sessions focus on age-appropriate understanding of the sacrament. Each child participating in preparation for First Eucharist must have been regularly attending the parish's faith formation program, or be enrolled in a Catholic school. Exceptions may be made for a child in a special circumstance.
Confirmation -- Adolescent Faith Formation - In keeping with the recommendation of the US Council of Catholic Bishops, the parish has instituted a Faith Formation process for high school students. The adolescent catechesis includes preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation, which takes place in the spring of the students' sophomore year.
Matrimony -- Marriage is the sacrament of life and love, so adequate preparation for this life-long commitment is essential. The Diocese requires that an engaged couple begin their preparation for marriage six months to a year prior to the proposed wedding date. Ordinarily at least one of the engaged couple or a family member(s) should be an active member(s) of Corpus Christi Parish. The preparation begins by calling the parish office to schedule an appointment with the pastor to start the marriage preparation process and discuss a date. Following this meeting, the couple continues their preparation with a sponsor couple; these are married couples from the parish that have been trained to assist in the preparation for marriage. The engaged couple also meets with the priest or deacon who will be officiating at the wedding ceremony. This meeting, or meetings, gives the priest or deacon an opportunity to discuss with the couple their understanding of and their commitment to the sacrament of marriage. It also allows the celebrant to assist the couple in preparing for the wedding liturgy through the selection of appropriate readings and music.
Those who are entering into a second or subsequent marriage as well as those who wish to have their civil marriage blessed or validated are to contact the pastor as these situations require special attention. If an annulment of a previous marriage is involved, a longer preparation time may be needed. Please contact the parish office for more information.
Matrimony -- Marriage is the sacrament of life and love, so adequate preparation for this life-long commitment is essential. The Diocese requires that an engaged couple begin their preparation for marriage six months to a year prior to the proposed wedding date. Ordinarily at least one of the engaged couple or a family member(s) should be an active member(s) of Corpus Christi Parish. The preparation begins by calling the parish office to schedule an appointment with the pastor to start the marriage preparation process and discuss a date. Following this meeting, the couple continues their preparation with a sponsor couple; these are married couples from the parish that have been trained to assist in the preparation for marriage. The engaged couple also meets with the priest or deacon who will be officiating at the wedding ceremony. This meeting, or meetings, gives the priest or deacon an opportunity to discuss with the couple their understanding of and their commitment to the sacrament of marriage. It also allows the celebrant to assist the couple in preparing for the wedding liturgy through the selection of appropriate readings and music.
Those who are entering into a second or subsequent marriage as well as those who wish to have their civil marriage blessed or validated are to contact the pastor as these situations require special attention. If an annulment of a previous marriage is involved, a longer preparation time may be needed. Please contact the parish office for more information.
Anointing of the Sick -- This sacrament is for all who are seriously ill, physically or emotionally, or who are in special circumstances, such as prior to major surgery. The church shows its solicitude for the sick not only by visiting those who are in poor health, but also by raising them up through the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and nourishing them with the Eucharist.
Privacy laws do not allow hospitals or care centers to inform the parish about members who are ill. This has become the responsibility of the family. Therefore if you wish to have a priest administer the anointing of the sick to a family member who is hospitalized, homebound or in a care center, please contact the parish office.
The parish also has communal celebrations several times a year. Dates and times of these special communal celebrations are posted in the bulletin.
Holy Orders -- If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a priest, deacon, or entering Religious Life, please contact one of our priests for more information. They will assist you in establishing contacts with persons who will offer support and guidance as you discern your call.
Privacy laws do not allow hospitals or care centers to inform the parish about members who are ill. This has become the responsibility of the family. Therefore if you wish to have a priest administer the anointing of the sick to a family member who is hospitalized, homebound or in a care center, please contact the parish office.
The parish also has communal celebrations several times a year. Dates and times of these special communal celebrations are posted in the bulletin.
Holy Orders -- If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a priest, deacon, or entering Religious Life, please contact one of our priests for more information. They will assist you in establishing contacts with persons who will offer support and guidance as you discern your call.