Baptism makes one a member of the Body of Christ and incorporates one into the Church, sharing in its mission. The principle effects of baptism are: Purification from sins, and Regeneration (new birth) in the Holy Spirit. Most Catholics are baptized as infants as they are brought to the Church by their parents for this fundamental sacrament of their Christian life. Some Catholics are Baptized later in life either still in their early childhood years, up to age 6, or after they reached the catechetical years of 7 and above. The preparation processes are different for each category of infant/early childhood and catechecial age.
Penance / Reconcilliation / Confession
This healing sacrament is known by a few different names such as Penance, Reconciliation and Confession. Through this sacrament, we can experience the forgiving mercy of Christ and be reconciled with Him from our sins. Preparation for the Sacrament of Confession is part of the Finding A Friend in Jesus program for the Second Grade Students as well as the Rite of Christian Initation of Adults Program. While you can make an appointment with a priest at any time for the Sacrament of Reconcilliation by calling the parish office at (813) 988-1593, confessions are scheduled Thursdays 9:30 am - 10:20 am and Saturdays from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Eucharist / Mass
Our most common gathering for woship as Roman Catholics is in the Eucharistic celebration, usually referred to as "Mass." Through the Litury of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the Mass invites us to experience Jesus Christ is a very real way as the people gather for Mass, as the priest leads the assembly, in the proclamation of the Holy Scriptures and in the Breaking and Sharing of the Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation! At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity.
Eucharist is a term that describes both a sacrament as well as our gathering to worship our God. Most Catholics prepare to receive Holy Communion for the first time after they have reached the catechetical age which is 7 and above. At Corpus Christi, we prepare second graders to receive Holy Communion in our Finding a Friend in Jesus program. For children who have passed second grade and for adults, we use the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children for preparation.
While as Catholics we are obligated to gather for the celebration of the Eucharist every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation, Mass is celebrated every day at Corpus Christi. Please check the bulletin or church calendar for specific times when Mass is offered.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit, given to the apostles on Pentecost; it increases and deepens baptismal grace. Confirmation roots us more deeply as a child of God, unites us more closely to Christ, increases in us the gifts of the Holy Spirit, perfects our bond with the Church and gives us speacial strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to boldly confess the name of Christ, never to be ashamed of the cross. Most Catholics receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in their teenage years. At Corpus Christi, we use the Confirmation Journey program for teenagers, as well as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for women and men who either are coming into the Catholic faith or were not confirmed earlier in their life.
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.
We ask that couples who are engaged and would like to be married in the Church to contact the Parish Office at 813 988-1593 at least six months in advance of their desired wedding date.
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. Anointing of the Sick may be requested for those who have a serious illness, undergoing surgery in the near future or elderly in age.
We offer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on the First Saturdays following the 9:00 a.m. Mass, as well as any time by appointment. The priests are more than happy to visit hospitials, nursing homes, hospices and individual homes to pray with and anoint those who are ill and/or coming to the end of their earthly life. We also have a priest on call 24 hours a day that can be reached through our main telephone number (813) 988-1593.
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.
If you think that you might be called to serve in our Church in ordained ministry, please contact one of the parish priests or contact our Vocations Office in the Diocese of St. Petersburg (727) 344-1611. You can also find more information about Vocations at the webiste for the Diocese of St. Petersburg which is https://www.dosp.org/vocations/.