Saints Philip and James
Catholic Church

Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. (John 3:5) Baptism is the gateway to the sacraments and is necessary for salvation by actual reception or at least by desire. Through baptism men and women are freed from sin, are reborn as children of God, and, configured to Christ by an indelible character, are incorporated into the Church. (Code of Canon Law no. 849)

To inquire about having your child’s baptism at SS. Philip and James, please download the "Baptism Request Form" and submit it to our parish office manager at [email protected]. For more information, please download our "Baptism Handbook." Child baptisms are held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. If you have any questions, please call the parish office.

Note: For children ages 7 and older, or for adults seeking Baptism, and age-appropriate formation process will be required. Contact the office for further details.

Though not required, it is customary for parents to make a voluntary donation in support of the ministry of the parish. These offerings are generally between $100 to $500.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is like our own personal Pentecost. The Catechism announces this, “It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost” (1302). 

In Confirmation, something amazing happens to us if we allow it to happen. Actually, many things (CCC 1303): ​

• Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace
• It roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makue witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Crosses us cry, "Abba! Father!"
• It unites us more firmly to Christ;
• It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us
• It renders our bond with the Church more perfect
• It gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.

We are not called to live in fear, but in the confidence of knowing that we are beloved, adopted sons and daughters of God. This adoption is made possible through the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is the sacrament that makes this objective event possible today.