SACRAMENTS

​"The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church,
by which divine life is dispensed to us" through the work of the Holy Spirit.  CCC 1131,774
​The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments. CCC 1113

BAPTISM

"Baptism is the first Sacrament we receive as Catholics to mark the beginning of our faith journey. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that Baptism is "the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit…and the door which gives access to the other sacraments". To "put on Christ," in Baptism makes us the sons and daughters of God and members of the Church community. 
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Baptisms at St. Thomas More Catholic Church occur throughout the Liturgical year. Except for extraordinary circumstances, we cannot accommodate private baptisms due to priestly staffing and scheduling. Please note we do not schedule baptisms during the seasons of Advent (December 3, 2023, through December 31, 2023) and Lent (February 14, 2024, through March 31, 2024), so please plan accordingly.

All parents seeking Baptism for their child are to be registered at the parish and attend a preparation course for every child brought forward to the Sacrament. The Baptismal Preparation Course consists of 2 sessions and provides a time of reflection, sharing, and learning about the graces of Baptism. Topics include the call to Baptize Children, the importance of naming, the role of Godparents, the symbols at Baptism, and the logistics of the Baptism ceremony. Courses are held on a bi-monthly basis per posted schedule. To sign up and attend one of the courses, please contact Trish Pabis at relformation@stmva.org, who will gladly assist you with the initial steps on this journey towards Baptism for your child.

The Diocese of Richmond requires all Godparents complete the diocesan Godparent/Sponsor Attestation Form. You can download it via the following link:  Christian Formation (richmonddiocese.org) Please fill out the form with your chosen Godparents and return it to the parish office at least two weeks before the baptismal ceremony. The form can be emailed to Trish Pabis at relformation@stmva.org or dropped off at the parish office Monday - Friday during regular business hours: 9:30 am until 3:30 pm.

Baptismal Preparation Courses​                                             
**Please note. Currently, the Baptismal Courses are offered in a hybrid format, which means you may attend the session in person at St. Thomas More, or virtually via ZOOM. When you contact Trish Pabis to sign up for the course, she will provide you with a ZOOM link if you prefer to meet virtually.
The sessions are held on Monday evenings from 6 pm until 8 pm.  Attendance at both sessions is required.

                               July 10 & 17
                               September 11 & 18
                               November 6 & 13
                               January 8 & 22
                               March 4 & 11
​                               May 6 & 13

 Baptism Ceremonies
**Please note additional dates may be added, so please check back to this site in the future or contact Trish Pabis at relformation@stmva.org.

CONFIRMATION

The prophets of the Old Testament foretold that God's Spirit would rest upon the Messiah to sustain his mission. The fulfillment of prophecy came to fruition when Jesus the Messiah was conceived by the Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus on his baptism by John. Jesus' entire mission occurred in communion with the Spirit. Before he died, Jesus promised the outpouring of the Spirit to the Apostles and the whole Church. After his death, the Father raised him in the power of the Spirit.
Confirmation deepens the baptismal life calling us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. We receive the message of faith in a greater depth and intensity that emphasizes the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church to build up the community in loving service. To join the 2021/2022 confirmation class, please get in touch with Isaac Jackson at youthmin@stmva.org or 434-237-5911 ext. 205.

​A copy of the diocesan Godparent/Sponsor Attestation Form can be attained via the following link:
https://richmonddiocese.org/office/christian-formation/?tab=16
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​Registration forms are below, please return them in the collection box, or  save and email them to Isaac Jackson at youthmin@stmva.org

Confirmation Registration Form

EUCHARIST

First Holy Communion
In the Diocese of Richmond, preparation to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time occurs in the 2nd grade year outside of the regular Religious Formation K-5 classes. At St. Thomas More parish, we invite any youth in 2nd or 3rd grade who have already received their Sacrament of Baptism to register for Sacramental using this form at the link under the picture. Please fill it out, save it, and email it to Trish Pabis at relformation@stmva.org. ​

The preparation for the Sacrament of Eucharist is a parent / youth in-person gathering held at St. Thomas More from 10 am until 11 am on the following dates:

                          Sunday, January 21, 2024
                          Sunday, February 11, 2024
                          Sunday, March 10, 2024
​                          Sunday, April 14, 2024

The First Eucharist Celebration occurs during a weekend in May at all three Masses:  Saturday at 5 pm and Sunday at both the 8:30 am and 11:15 am Masses.  The tentative date for the 2024 weekend May 25/26.

For additional information, please contact Trish Pabis, Coordinator of Religious Formation K-5 and Sacramental Prep, at relformation@stmva.org.  Registration Forms can be returned via email or a paper copy can be placed in the collection basket during weekend Mass.

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RECONCILIATION

First Reconciliation
In the Diocese of Richmond, preparation to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time occurs in the 2nd grade year outside of the regular Religious Formation K-5 classes. St. Thomas More parish invites any 2nd or 3rd-grade youth who have already received their Sacrament of Baptism to register for Sacramental Preparation using the same registration form in the First Eucharist section.

The preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a parent / youth in-person gathering held from 10 am until 11 am at St. Thomas More on the following dates:

                             Sunday, September 10, 2024
                             Sunday, October 8, 2024
                             Sunday, November 12, 2024
                             Sunday, December 10, 2024

After completion of the Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, the youth will have an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Healing for the first time during a Communal Reconciliation Service on a Saturday afternoon, date TBD. There is also the option to receive the Sacrament during the regularly scheduled times on Saturday evenings from 3:30 pm until 4:45 pm or by appointment with the Parish Priest.

For additional information, please contact Trish Pabis, Coordinator of Religious Formation K-5 and Sacramental Prep, at relformation@stmva.org.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

In the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the priest's ministry, Jesus touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to conquer sin and death by his dying and rising.
The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.
When giving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, the hoped-for effect is that, if God's will, the person is physically healed of illness. Even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age. 
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Please contact the parish office to request Anointing for someone who is sick. info@stmva.org or (434) 237-5911.

MARRIAGE

Sacred Scripture begins with the creation and union of man and woman and ends with "the wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rev 19:7, 9). Scripture often refers to Marriage, its origin and purpose, the meaning God gave it, and its renewal in the covenant made by Jesus with his Church. 

In Marriage, the couple witnesses Christ's spousal love for the Church. One of the Nuptial Blessings in the liturgical celebration of Marriage refers to this by saying, "Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church." 
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The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant more than a contract. A covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. A Marital celebration is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at Church. We urge Catholics to celebrate their Marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.

HOLY ORDERS

Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit from his conception in the womb of Mary until his Resurrection. Anointed by the Holy Spirit and thus established by God the Father as our high priest. As Risen Lord, he remains our high priest. While all the baptized share in Christ's priesthood, the ministerial priesthood uniquely shares this through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. 

"Here I am, send me." (Is 6:8)
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Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest. Those who seek priesthood respond generously to God's call using the words of the prophet, "Here I am, send me" (Is 6:8). This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.

If you have questions on a priestly vocation go to the Richmond Diocese webpage at ​https://richmonddiocese.org/office/vocations/