Baptism

In the Sacrament of Baptism, the Catholic Church welcomes members to the Church. For adults seeking Baptism, please see the material on the Rite of Christian Initiation.

For the baptism of children, the parish offers a special class to prepare the parents for the Sacrament of Baptism. Please contact Father Jantz at (205) 663-3936 or Deacon Bill and Mary Alexiou at (205) 663-2114 for this preparation.

Confirmation

In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the recipient is sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. For adults seeking Confirmation, please see the material on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults listed above.

For adolescents seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Diocese of Birmingham requires a two-year preparation program. At Saint Thomas, this program is offered beginning in the 9^th grade, with Confirmation being celebrated at the end of the 10^th grade year.

For additional information, please contact the Faith Formation office at (205) 663-3936.

Eucharist

The Eucharist is celebrated at every Mass.

In the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the Catholic Church believes that the recipient receives the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. For adults seeking to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist, please see the material on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults listed above.

Children are prepared for the reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist in the second grade. Older children are prepared in a special program.

For additional information, please contact the Faith Formation Office at (205) 663-3936.

Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturdays at 4:30 PM or by appointment. Special Reconciliation Services are celebrated in Advent and Lent.

Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Sick celebrated God’s healing power. The parish celebrates a Communal Celebration of the Sacrament each year. For individual celebration of the sacrament, please contact Father Jantz at (205) 663-3936.

Matrimony

The Catholic Church teaches that the Sacrament of Matrimony is a life-long commitment of love. In order to prepare for this sacrament, the Catholic Church requires a six-month period of preparation which includes interviews with a priest, a weekend retreat, and other preparations.

For additional information, please contact Father Jantz at (205) 663-3936.

Holy Orders

The Diocese of Birmingham sponsors programs for the Permanent Diaconate and for the priesthood.

For additional information, please contact Father Jantz at 663-3936.

If you are new to the Montevallo/Alabaster area, or if you have not yet become a member of Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, we encourage you to consider joining our faith community.

All people are invited to participate in worship and service with our community at any time.

For those people who have been raised in the Catholic Faith, we encourage you to register in the parish. You may register at our business office, located at 80 Saint Thomas Way in Montevallo during regular business hours Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM or Friday 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. You may also register at the weekend Masses in the gathering area.

For those people who have not previously received sacraments in the Catholic Church, we encourage you to join the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults as described below.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Adults (and older teens) who are interested in joining the Catholic Church are invited to participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This program prepares adults who have not previously been baptized for Baptism in the Catholic Church. The program also prepares those previously baptized in other Christian Communities for reception into the Catholic Church and for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

Inquiry Sessions begin the first Sunday of each month. The Inquiry group meets for four consecutive Sundays from 9:30 AM until 10:45 AM. These four sessions offer an introduction to the Catholic Faith.

After the initial Inquiry Sessions, candidates attend sessions of the RCIA at that same time period for a deeper experience of the Catholic Faith.

For more information, please call Father Jantz at (205) 663-3936 or call Jackie Lampton at (205) 249-1171.