Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday: 5:00pm
Sunday: 7:00am, 8:30am, 10am, 12 Noon
All are welcome to a coffee social in the church hall after the 7:00, 8:30, and 10:00am Masses on the first Sunday of the month. Children participate in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word at the 10:00am Mass except on the third Sunday. A Family Mass with the children’s choir and a special children’s homily is celebrated at 10:00am on the first Sunday of the month.
Monday – Friday: 7am, 8am
Saturday: 8am
Every Tuesday after the 8am Mass
Sacrament of Baptism
Sacraments connect us to life in Christ and the church. Baptism is the gateway to this life and so it is vital to recognize its significance for the Baptized and their parents. When parents bring their child for Baptism, they promise to bring that child up in the faith of the Church. Parents are the first and best teachers for the child so they need to nourish and develop their own faith life in order to best fulfill their role. It is critical that participation in the sacramental and worship life of St. John’s must continue after Baptism.
St. John the Baptist parish joyfully celebrates the sacrament of Baptism with children from infancy to age seven whose parents are active in the parish and attend Mass regularly. Children over age seven or children in families who are not attending Mass regularly receive special instruction that is usually part of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and Children.
When choosing godparents, please make sure the people you select are practicing Catholics and can obtain a letter of recommendation from their parish.
To arrange for a Baptism, call the parish office at 433-8118. The staff will fill out the paperwork and answer your questions.
Parents are required to attend Baptismal preparation classes. Godparents are welcome to attend the classes. Classes are held at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month. Please let the parish office know which month you will attend.
Baptisms are celebrated on the first and third Sundays of the month at 1:15 p.m. Families are invited to attend the 12 Noon Mass before the Baptism takes place. There is a limit of six baptisms per Sunday, so please let the parish office know as soon as possible which Sunday you would prefer.
For its part, the faith community of St. John’s is here to support parents in this daunting but wonderful task of raising a child in the faith of the Church.
Saturdays: 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.
Thursday before First Friday: 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.
For a private appointment, call 433-8118
First Penance
Children 7 years of age or older who attend Mass regularly, are active in the parish, and have completed at least one year of church school, may begin preparation for First Penance. Contact Debbie Brown at 433-8118 for additional information.
First Communion
First Communion is celebrated during the Easter Season.
Children, who have received First Penance at least six months before and attend Mass and church school regularly, may begin preparation for First Communion.
For additional information, call Debbie Brown at 433-8118.
Confirmation
Confirmation is celebrated in Lockport twice a year at St. Patrick's in the spring and at St. John's the fall. Candidates must be high school age or older, must regularly attend Mass and religious education classes, must be actively engaged in Christian service, and must have a desire to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Adult Confirmation classes are held during the summer to prepare candidates for the fall confirmation.
For additional information, call Debbie Brown at 438-9029.
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Discernment of a Vocation
Anyone discerning a vocation to the priesthood, religious life, the permanent deaconate, or married life, may call the rectory at 433-8118 to make an appointment with a priest.
Sacrament of Matrimony
The decision to enter into the Sacrament of Matrimony is one of the most important decisions that two people can make. A Christian marriage is a visible sign of God’s presence in our lives and a source of God’s free and unending grace. All couples wishing to be married at St. John the Baptist parish must meet with one of the priests at least six months prior to the wedding. Couples are also required to participate in a marriage preparation program. There are three choices:
Sunday Program A one-day program held once a year beginning with the 10 a.m. Mass and concluding at 4:30 p.m. in St. John the Baptist Church Hall. For information call Debbie Brown at 433-8118.
Weddings are scheduled on Friday evenings and on Saturdays at Noon and 2:00 p.m. Couples should make an appointment with one of the priests at least six months prior to the wedding.
For information about arranging a wedding at St. John the Baptist, please call 433-8118.
Anointing of the Sick
Candidates for the sacrament include those who are facing surgery, in the hospital, or seriously ill. An anointing service is held in the fall.
A Healing Mass is held at 9 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month in St. Mary's Church, 5 Saxton Street in Lockport. All are welcome. For a private anointing, call the rectory office at 433-8118.
In an emergency, call the rectory at 433-8118.
Funerals
The funeral director will make arrangements with the parish for the date and time of the funeral Mass and the option of a funeral brunch in the church hall. One of the priests will contact the family to help plan the funeral liturgy. In addition, a prayer service is usually celebrated by one of the priests at the funeral home during the wake.