Baptism

For the Baptism of infants, parents are asked to notify the parish office. An instructional Baptism class is held for parents. If parents have participated in the class at St. John within five years, they need not repeat it. Families are encouraged to celebrate baptism after Mass. For children above the age of seven and for adults, special preparation is provided. Call the parish office for more information or click here for registration form: Baptismal Registration

Eucharist

Preparation for First Eucharist is the joint responsibility of the parish and the parents. Children are normally prepared for First Eucharist during second grade either through religion classes at St. John the Baptist School or through the parish religious education program; however, accommodations for older children are often made on a case by case basis . First Communion Masses usually occur at the end of April or early May. Please call (812) 490-1000 if you have questions. 

St. John the Baptist has an active hospital and nursing home ministry, that can provide prayerful visitation and opportunities for reception of the Eucharist. This ministry also reaches out to parishioners who are homebound or shut-in. Please call the parish office to arrange to receive Communion when you are unable to join us for Mass.

Reconciliation 

Children receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation in the second grade (please see enrollment requirements for the reception of First Eucharist. They are the same for First Reconciliation). Please call Marty Horning at (812) 490-1000 if you have questions. Reconciliation services are scheduled in the fall, during Advent and Lent for all parishioners, including Religious Education and St. John School students. Regularly scheduled times for Reconciliation are listed online and in the bulletin. If you have a special need, please call the parish office.

Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation is currently received in the 10th grade (see info from the Diocese here regarding the future of the program), although accommodations have been made depending on circumstances.  Both Catholic and public school sophomores must be enrolled in the parish's  Confirmation Preparation Classes, as well as fulfill retreat and service hour obligations. The classes meet during the spring semester. The Confirmation program journeys our young people into discipleship as young Christians.

Marriage
St. John Parish has the responsibility of ensuring that marriages recognized and blessed by the Catholic Church will be lived in the faith. There must be evidence of personal active faith to serve as a foundation of such a commitment. "Couples desiring to be married in the community of the church are to notify the priest or deacon... at least six months prior to the anticipated time of their wedding." (Diocesan Marriage Policy, effective January 1, 1984). Definite plans for a wedding date should not be decided until such contact has been made. Marriage preparation involves assessment of the couple’s communication and compatibility, assessment of their faith commitment, participation in Sponsor Couple Program, and wedding ceremony plans with the presiding priest.

OCIA
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) is a process for adults (and children over the age of 7) to learn about the faith and receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. It is for adults who have never been baptized, those baptized in other Christian denominations seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, or baptized Catholics who have not completed their initiation through Confirmation and Eucharist. The process involves stages of study, reflection, and liturgical rites, culminating in the sacraments at the Easter Vigil.  Interested persons should call (812) 490-1000.

Anointing of the Sick
The sacrament of anointing, in which Christ is encountered as healer, is administered upon request for those seriously ill, facing major surgery, elderly or at the point of death. In addition, a communal reception of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated in church at certain times of the year - please watch the bulletin for details.

HOLY ORDERS

Priesthood. The ministerial priesthood is conferred by the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The normal period of preparation is four years of college and four years of theology. Further information is available at the Vocations Office at the Catholic Center.

Permanent Diaconate. This ancient order, restored to the life of the Church, is open to married and single men who are at least 32 years old. Men who are ordained receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The term "permanent" means that a man is ordained a deacon for life, as opposed to the "transient" deacon, who is a deacon for just a short while and then becomes a priest. A permanent deacon usually has another career in order to support his family. The priorities of a deacon are: 1) family, 2) job, 3) diaconate.