Hide the MenuSacraments help us meet the incarnate Jesus and are essential for Catholics. It is the outward signs that we share in: water and oil to welcome us, life-giving bread and wine that become Christ's Body and Blood, a hand outstretched in forgiveness, vows lovingly exchanged in marriage, a hand designating someone for ordained service and oil to strengthen the sick and comfort the dying.
The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God's saving presence. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "Celebrated worthily in faith, the sacraments confer the grace that they signify. They are efficacious because in them Christ himself is at work; it is he who baptises, he who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacrament signifies."
In order to offer the best support for parents in preparing for a child’s baptism, our parish requires participation in a baptism preparation process. This process is designed to help parents and godparents understand the Sacrament of Baptism and to offer them support in helping their child/godchild to fully live the gifts received in Baptism. It is highly encouraged for expectant parents to prepare for the baptism before the birth of their child or, at the least, no later than two months prior to the desired baptism date.
Children Under the Age of 7
Parents and Godparents must attend a Baptism Class
Holy Family holds a Baptism preparation class every other month. In order for parents and godparents to receive the full benefit of the class, we ask that children not accompany parents. Babysitting is available during the class. Call Genni Sayers in the pastoral office for dates and reservations.
Parents are highly encouraged to attend a class prior to their child’s birth. Baptism classes at another Catholic parish are acceptable with a form or letter being remitted to Holy Family stating who, when and where the class was attended.
At least one godparent must be a Catholic who has received First Communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation and who lives a life of active faith in the Catholic Church. If married, they must be in a valid Catholic marriage.
Parents must submit required paperwork
The following are required in order to schedule your child’s baptism:
These documents may be submitted by mail, in person or email to gsayers@holyfamilyfw.org
Scheduling the Baptism
Once the above have been completed and received in the office, you may call or email Genni Sayers to request a date and time.
Baptisms at Mass are the norm at Holy Family. No more than two baptisms may be scheduled at any one Mass.
Presider
Either the priest celebrating the Mass or the deacon assisting him will preside at the baptism at Mass. Generally, deacons will preside at private baptisms, usually on Saturday mornings. Private baptisms are at the discretion of the priest or deacon and scheduling arrangements.
A guest priest or deacon is welcome. Those from outside the Fort Worth diocese must submit a testimony of suitability and be delegated by the pastor of Holy Family Catholic Parish. Those from within the Fort Worth diocese need only a delegation by the Holy Family pastor.
Children 7 & Older
Children 7 and older who have not been baptized must participate in Rite of Christian Initiation [RCIA] Adapted for Children. The RCIA Adapted sessions begin each September and meets once a month on a Saturday morning. The entire family is expected at these meetings and to participate in the process. The children will be baptized, confirmed and receive Eucharist at the following Easter Vigil. Contact Laura Krasji for more information.
Teens
Teens who are not baptized must participate in RCIA Adapted for Teens. Contact Meg Ruhter for more information.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ.
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21-23).
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered at Holy Family on Saturday's 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
In order to offer the best support for parents in preparing for their child’s First Eucharist and First Reconciliation, our parish requires participation in a formation class; this can be done in two ways: by attending a Catholic School; or attending Holy Family’s Faith Formation classes. In addition to attending classes, the parents and their child are required to attend two half-day workshops held here at the parish and work together at home to be prepared for the child’s first Reconciliation and First Eucharist. The parents are also expected to meet with the Coordinator of Children’s Formation for a personal one-on-one Sacrament Chat. This process is designed to help parents and their children understand these Sacraments and to offer support in helping them through their faith journey.
The following paperwork is required in order to receive First Eucharist and First Reconciliation:
Contact: Meg Ruhter MRuhter@HolyFamilyFW.org
Children in the 6th grade or older
Children in the 6th grade or older who have not received their First Eucharist are specially prepared for the Sacrament based upon their previous catechesis and faith development. Students who have not been catechized or are in need of additional Sacraments will enter into the Rite of Christian Initiation for Teens process.
Contact: Kelli Tull-Waldrop KTullWaldrop@HolyFamilyFW.org
Contact: Kelli Tull-Waldrop KTullWaldrop@HolyFamilyFW.org
Due to COVID-19, preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will be postponed until the Spring semester. All students planning to prepare to receive the Sacrament this year need to be enrolled in the parish online Faith Formation program this fall semester. Information will be sent out to all participating students mid-November.
More Information 
Adults seeking to complete their Sacraments of Initiation through the Sacrament of Confirmation should contact Genni Sayers. The celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation for Adults is held on Pentecost Sunday each year at the 12:00 pm Mass. Candidates for the sacrament attend 5 weeks of preparation classes to be held on Wednesday evenings following Easter. This preparation process is open to any adults 18 and older who are out of High School.
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! We are pleased that you would like to have your wedding at Holy Family Catholic Community and we wish to help you to celebrate your joy. The Church belongs to the community of Holy Family parish and therefore you must be a member to celebrate your wedding here. These guidelines are designed to answer as many questions as possible and to instruct you on the marriage preparation process and your wedding. Both members of the couple should read these guidelines. Because of the length of time needed for marriage preparation it is important to start this process at least 9 months prior to the intended date of the wedding.
Outline of Marriage Prep
Components of Marriage Prep:
Orientation meeting to begin paperwork; Fully Engaged inventory for communication; materials for the marriage prep journey.
Items Required Before Your Wedding
Once all required items are received, you may request your rehearsal and wedding dates/times and clergy. If the dates/times and clergy are available, you will receive a confirmation letter from the parish office. If the dates/times clergy are not available, you will be contacted so that an alternate date and/or time or clergy may be reserved.
Please note: Do not make reservations for receptions or any other events until you have received a confirmation letter. Until you receive this letter, we cannot guarantee your wedding date. If you make reservations before receiving this letter and we find that we cannot reserve your requested date, Holy Family will not be responsible for solving resultant problems and issues that this may cause for you.
Times, Dates and Venue
Weddings may not be scheduled on Sundays or during Lent. Lent is a season of reconciliation and reflection; thus, festive celebrations are not consistent with the spirit of the season. There are other weekends on which weddings cannot be scheduled for various reasons. Please consult with the parish office on what is available before deciding on your wedding date.
Weddings at Holy Family may be scheduled at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.
Rehearsals are usually scheduled on the Friday before the wedding at 6:00 PM.
Marriage License
The couple is responsible for obtaining a marriage license from a Texas county courthouse. You may obtain a license between 30 days and 3 days prior to the wedding. Please note that the only way to obtain a license after the 72 hour limit has passed is by obtaining a judge’s permission and this is very difficult to obtain. Do not procrastinate! We ask that you deliver the license to the office once it is obtained so it is on file for your wedding day
Planning Your Ceremony
At the initial meeting, you will receive the booklet Options for Wedding Liturgies which is a guidebook for planning your wedding liturgy. You will need to review this and fill out the form provided before meeting with the priest or deacon presiding at your wedding. They will review that with you at that time. All couples who are working with priests or deacons from Holy Family must meet with him and the Director of Liturgy, Keisha Matthews within three weeks prior to their wedding in order to review the liturgy.
When a Catholic is very sick, the Church anoints the person with oil in a special ritual of healing called Anointing of the Sick. Traditionally referred to as Extreme Unction or Last Rites, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered both to the dying and to those who are gravely ill or are about to undergo a serious operation, for the recovery of their health and for spiritual strength. It is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for physical but also for mental and spiritual sickness.
Interested in becoming Catholic?
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults [RCIA] is the process for becoming a Catholic. Participants take about 9-10 months of discernment through prayer, study, discussion and faith sharing to the discovery if the Catholic Church is where their faith journey continues. Classes begin in September each year and meet on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30pm. The process ends with the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation [Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist] at the Easter Vigil in the spring. Family and friends are always welcome to come to any of our sessions. Contact: Genni Sayers, Director of Religious Education.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the continuation of Christ's priesthood. The three levels of the sacrament are the episcopate, the priesthood, and the diaconate. In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments, by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness. Parishioners discerning a vocation to ordained ministry will participate in extensive formation programs.
Contact: Father Hoa Nguyen, Deacon Mike Mocek or the Diocesan Vocation Office