Quinceañera
Quinceañera: A Celebration of Faith and Tradition
The Catholic Church embraces the rich traditions of many cultures, including the Quinceañera, a cherished ceremony for a girl’s fifteenth birthday. This celebration marks her transition into womanhood and her new responsibilities as an adult in the world and before God.
A meaningful moment in the Quinceañera is the placing of a bouquet of flowers before Our Lady of Guadalupe, symbolizing her commitment to follow Christ’s life and the Blessed Mother’s example as a guiding force in her journey.
Quinceañera celebrations take place during weekend Masses: Saturday at 4:30 PM, or Sunday at 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, or 12:15 PM, allowing family and parish community to join in this joyful occasion.
Blessing of an Engaged Couple
Marriage Blessings: Guided by God’s Grace
God’s grace is a constant need for everyone, at every stage of life. For couples preparing to marry, this grace is especially vital. Whether young or mature, couples receive a blessing that offers guidance, support, and spiritual strength for their marriage and life together.
Matrimony
The Sacrament of Marriage
The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, not merely a contract. A covenant reflects a deep, personal relationship, and in marriage, it unites a husband and wife in a permanent bond of love, guided by their knowledge of and love for each other and for God.
Marriage is also a liturgical celebration, ideally taking place within a public Mass at the church. Catholics are encouraged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy, allowing the sacrament to be fully embraced and blessed by the Church community. (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults )
At St. John’s please do not set a date for your marriage until you have spoken to our Marriage Coordinator.
“Renewing” Marriage Vows/Anniversary Blessing
Marriage Anniversary Blessings
Celebrate the joy and commitment of marriage with a special blessing during weekend Masses: Saturday at 4:30 PM, or Sunday at 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, or 12:15 PM.
Anniversaries mark important milestones in the life of married couples, such as the 20th, 50th, or more, and are occasions to rejoice with family and the parish community. Couples may also reaffirm their wedding vows during Mass, strengthening their covenant in faith and love.
Couples who were married in a Catholic Church through the Sacrament of Marriage are eligible for an anniversary blessing. A copy of your marriage certificate is required to confirm your Church marriage.
Contact us for more information or to schedule your blessing at Mass.
Blessing of Child in the Womb
The Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb is a tender celebration of life and love. It supports expectant parents, inviting them and the parish community to pray over and honor the precious gift of the child growing within the womb. Through this blessing, we rejoice in the miracle of life and affirm a deep respect for every human life as a sacred gift from God.
Mass to Honor Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 12 is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas.
A celebration that begins with Mass and then a festive social gathering helps those in attendance celebrate the occasion.
Blessing of the Animals
St. Francis of Assisi is known for his love of animals. In his honor, on his feast day, October 4, we celebrate the Blessing of the Animals.
The blessing takes place at the St. Francis Garden on the Northeastern side of the church.
Taizé Service
A service of light that developed in Taizé, France as an ecumenical service featuring repetitive chant, periods of long silence, and lit candles.
Tenebrae
Tenebrae (/ˈtɛnəbreɪ, -bri/[1]—Latin for “darkness”) is a religious service of Western Christianity held at St. John’s during Holy Week, and characterized by gradual extinguishing of candles, and by a “strepitus” or “loud noise” taking place in total darkness near the end of the service. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenebrae>
Stations of the Cross
During Lent, the parish participates in the Stations of the Cross every Friday at 5:00 PM (check the bulletin for time changes). Stations are available inside the church in English and, weather permitting, at the Walk with the Lord Prayer Garden (bilingual).
Rosary and Song
Every First Friday at 5 pm at Mary’s Grotto and Rosary Garden.