A sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible reality.
Mother Angélica
Sacraments are vital expressions of who we are as Catholic Christians. Each time we receive a sacrament we respond in a deeper way to Jesus’ call to discipleship. The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists the sacraments as follows: “The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments. There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony.”
Sacramental Records: If you have received a sacrament at St. Thomas Aquinas and need a copy of your Sacramental Record, it can be provided for you upon request. Please allow at least 10 days for the certificate to be prepared and signed by the pastor.
Baptism
Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore,* and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
-Mathew 28: 18-20
Baptism is a special step in your child’s faith journey, and we are honored to be part of it. The Catholic Church teaches us that parents are the primary educators in the faith of their children. Our Baptismal preparation is designed to assist you, parents and godparents, in raising these children in the faith. To allow ample time to complete planning, expectant mothers are encouraged to contact us before their baby is born. Please review our Baptism Preparation Class schedule, for more information on this class and how to register, please contact Gail Graham at 770 475 4501 ext. 102 – Email: ggraham@sta.org
PREPARACIÓN PARA EL BAUTISMO
El bautizo es un paso especial en la vida de fe de su hijo y nos sentimos honrados de ser parte de él. La Iglesia Católica nos enseña que los padres son los principales educadores en la fe de sus hijos. Nuestra preparación bautismal está diseñada para ayudarlos a ustedes, padres y padrinos, a criar a estos niños en la fe. Para permitir suficiente tiempo para completar la planificación, se recomienda a las mujeres embarazadas que se comuniquen con nosotros antes de que nazca su bebé. Por favor revise nuestro horario de clases de preparación para el bautismo, para obtener más información sobre esta clase y cómo registrarse, comuníquese con Andrea García al Tel 770 475 4501 ext. 215 o al Email: agarcia@sta.org
Special Documents
Contacts:
Gail Graham, Pastoral Executive Assistant
Andrea Garcia, Hispanic Ministry Coordinator – Información en Español
First Communion
“I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
-John 6:48-51
Children who are baptized as infants generally celebrate First Communion and First Reconciliation in the second grade. Preparation includes attendance at weekly Faith Formation sessions or Catholic School during the first and second grade, and additional activities for children and their parents during the second grade year.
Catholic School students will register for First Communion prior to their second grade year.
Contact:
Abigail Byron-Goslin, Faith Formation Director
(770) 475-4508 ext 206
Eucharist
“The Eucharist is the ‘source and summit of the Christian life.’
‘The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries
and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist
and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is
contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely
Christ himself, our Pasch’.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1324
Sunday Eucharist is the center and summit of Catholic life at St. Thomas Aquinas. We celebrate the Vigil Mass at 5:00 p.m. (English) and 7:00 p.m. (Spanish) on Saturday; Sunday Eucharist is received at the 8:00 a.m. (English), 10:00 a.m. (English), 2:00 p.m. (Spanish) and 5:00 p.m. (English) Masses.
Spiritual Communion Prayer
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there
And unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the final sacrament of initiation. This sacrament deepens the gifts received in Baptism and seals us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Prior to Confirmation, we have faith formation programs to help teens grow in their faith before taking their final steps to being Confirmed. These programs are also available after receiving the sacrament of Confirmation to help teens continue their journey to learn and grow as a disciple. Please see the prerequisites below or contact our Youth Minister for more information. Teens older than the minimum requirement and still in high school may also participate in this Confirmation program. Visit our page dedicated to Confirmation to learn more information.
Contact:
Seth Harson, Youth Minister
sharson@sta.org
Reconciliation
“With God All Things Are Possible.” -Mark 10:2
Confession is held on Saturdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Confessionals or by appointment. You can make an appointment by calling the Parish Office at 770-475-4501.
Contact:
Gail Graham, Pastoral Executive Assistant
Marriage
The Sacrament of Marriage is a sign to the whole church of the intimate and faithful love God has for each of us. Your wedding day is but the beginning of a sacramental way of life for you. It is truly a joyous occasion not only for you, your family, and your friends, but also for the whole Church. We are delighted for you!
Our guidelines will help you to prepare for this sacred event at St. Thomas Aquinas. They should help you understand the documents that will be required during your marriage preparation process, the wedding liturgy, and other considerations such as church decorations on your wedding day. It is hoped that they will answer many of your questions and make your preparations a little smoother. Click the button below to learn more.
Contacts:
Gail Graham, Pastoral Executive Assistant
Andrea Garcia, Información en Español
Holy Orders
“In order to shepherd the People of God and to increase its numbers without cease, Christ the Lord set up in his Church a variety of offices which aim at the good of the whole body. The holders of office, who are invested with a sacred power, are, in fact, dedicated to promoting the interests of their brethren, so that all who belong to the People of God … may attain salvation.” – The Catechism of the Catholic Church 874
Holy Orders is celebrated at various times during the year at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta. Those interested in ministry as a priest, sister or brother should contact a parish priest. Candidates for the permanent diaconate are identified by the pastor and parish, and recommended to the Archbishop.
Anointing of the Sick
“Are there any sick among you? Then let them send for the priests and let the priest pray over them, anointing them with oil” – James 4:14
Strength and Healing of the Sick Masses
Join us for a monthly Mass celebrated for those who are sick or suffering in mind, body, or spirit. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will be offered during this Mass for those facing serious illness. Every first Friday of the month at 12PM
When can I receive the Anointing of the Sick?
You may ask to receive the sacrament any time you are to undergo surgery under general anesthetic and when you have a serious injury or illness. Advanced age may also be a sufficient reason too. You may receive this sacrament more than once. In fact, all Catholics of any age are encouraged to ask for this sacrament any time a new condition or surgery arises. Please contact the parish office to speak with a priest about receiving this sacrament.
What are the “Last Rites”?
This sacrament of Last Rites was called Extreme Unction (last anointing), not because it was the last sacrament a person received before he/she died, but because it was the last anointing that person received. Baptism and Confirmation are the first two times we are anointed. Many older Catholics are under the mistaken impression that they can only receive the sacrament on their death bed; quite literally “Last Rites”. This may have seemed true in years past, but with modern medical advances today improving our recovery from illness, this sacrament is rightly received by anyone suffering a serious injury or illness and can be received as often as needed.
Contact:
During Office Hours, call (770) 475-4501
After hours, call (404) 738-8265
You may also email Emergency@sta.org
OCIA
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is a formation process for adults who wish to be baptized for the first time, for adults from other Christian traditions who wish to inquire about our Catholic way of life, and for those Catholics who seek to complete their Christian Initiation through the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. A community of inquirers forms each fall and each proceeds at his or her own pace to the Sacraments of Initiation. Sessions are held on Thursday evenings.
Sponsors for Adult Initiation
If you are a Catholic who finds joy in your faith and are willing to accompany someone in the process of becoming a Catholic as a friend and companion on the journey, consider being an OCIA Sponsor. Training is provided.