Sacraments

The baptism of your child is a privileged moment for your entire family and we rejoice with you as we welcome them into the Catholic faith. In this sacrament, you affirm that you will raise your child in the Catholic faith and the community promises to assist you with that responsibility.

Infants and young children (under six years of age) are usually baptized in a group celebration. We assist parents and families in preparation for the Rite of Baptism by guiding them through the communal Baptism liturgy. The pastoral staff and baptismal team are ready to assist you and want to do all they can to make your child’s Baptism as special and as meaningful as possible. The Baptism Guidelines will be helpful in answering some of your initial questions. .

Families with children who are not baptized and are at least 6 years of age may enter them in regular Religious Education Classes to receive religious instruction and be with their peers. The child will begin this initiation process with family and godparents invited to walk the faith journey with them.  It is a 2 year journey leading to reception of the Sacrament of Baptism. The children are then invited to come back to Religious Education classes to continue their faith development as they grow in understanding of what it means to be catholic and have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

For additional information about guidelines for the Sacrament of Baptism, contact the Parish Center at 626-915-7873.

Sacramental Preparation 

To learn more about the necessary aspects and needs for child Baptism please view our Baptismal Pamphlet and view our registration form for Baptism here. 

For specific information regarding sacrament preparation for elementary-age children meaning any children ages 7 or older, please contact the Faith Formation Office at [626] 332-5822

Godparent/Sponsor Guidelines

• One godparent must be at least 16 years of age and has been received all sacraments in the Catholic faith.
• You are only required to have one godparent— you may have two and they must be a male and a female.
• Additional godparents can fully participate in the ceremony, but only two (one female and/or one male) will be listed on the certificate.
• At least one Godparent must lead a life “in harmony with the Catholic faith and the role to be undertaken”. They must be someone other than the child’s parents.
• A baptized, non-Catholic may serve as a Christian Witness to the ceremony provided there is a Catholic godparent present. The Christian Witness’ name will not appear on the Baptismal Certificate of the child, however, they can fully participate in the child's baptism.
• For more insights visit https://lacatholics.org/baptism/

The Sacrament of Confirmation unites us more firmly with Christ.  It increases in us the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit – Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.  It gives us the strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith.

Teens wishing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, must be entering the ninth grade or be the minimum age of 14. Confirmation candidates must submit a completed application and be interviewed by the Confirmation Team along with a parent or guardian. Confirmation is a two year program for teens, that teaches and inspires them how to live an authentic Catholic faith life.

Candidates will learn how to become a fully initiated Catholic ready to live out their faith.  Please see the Confirmation Calendar for class dates and times. Contact the Faith Formation office at 626-332-5822 for additional details about the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The celebration of the Eucharist is the center and the heart of Christian life for all God’s people.  As Catholics, we believe that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharistic elements of Bread and Wine (Holy Communion), as well as in the Word (the Scriptures proclaimed), the priest-celebrant, and the assembly.  We are blessed at St. Louise to have the Eucharist celebrated and available to us at daily Mass.

If you (or your children over seven years old) have not yet received this sacrament for the first time, please call the Parish Center at (626) 915-7873 and we will gladly help you take the first step to full communion with the Catholic Church.

Sacramental Preparation

The Parish School of Religion is for students in grades 1st and 2nd who attend public school or private school, and would like to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.  Volunteer teachers [Catechists] prepare students for the sacraments and support their on-going religious education.

Children in grades 3rd-8th, attend one year of Religious Education classes with their grade level, and a second year of special sacrament classes with preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist as its focus.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, sometimes called “Penance” or “Confession,” heals and saves the baptized person through the forgiveness of any sins he or she has committed after Baptism.  In this sacrament, a person celebrates God’s forgiving love and is reconciled to God and to His Church.  Whatever our sin, God is always faithful; He loves us and welcomes us back into a loving relationship with Him in a special way through this sacrament.  Confession times are:

• Wednesdays 4:00 - 5:15 PM

• Saturdays 3:15 PM to 4:15 PM

Individual Reconciliation is also available by appointment and can be arranged by calling the Parish Center. Communal Reconciliation services are celebrated during the seasons of Lent and Advent.

If you or someone in your family has not received the sacrament of Reconciliation, contact the Parish Center at 626-915-7873 so we can assist you in continuing your faith journey.

Sacramental Preparation

The Parish School of Religion is for students in grades 1st and 2nd who attend public school or private school, and would like to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.  Volunteer teachers [Catechists] prepare students for the sacraments and support their on-going religious education.

Children in grades 3rd-8th, attend one year of Religious Education classes with their grade level, and a second year of special sacrament classes with preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist as its focus.

This sacrament helps us face illness with courage and invites us to join our suffering with the Passion and death of Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them.”

Anyone seriously or chronically ill, facing surgery, advanced in age, or near death, may receive the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.  This sacrament is usually administered by individual appointment. If you or someone you know needs a visit and would like to receive this sacrament, please call the Parish Center at 626-915-7873.

The commitment made by a couple, through the Sacrament of Matrimony, is a sign of God’s love and faithfulness. The Christian community shares their joy as they prepare to enter a new life together in the holy Sacrament of Marriage.  A sacramental Marriage celebrated in the Catholic Church acknowledges the importance of God in the lives of both husband and wife.

Members of our Wedding Ministry [Angel Couples] meet with couples before their wedding to help in the planning of the ceremony. They preside over the rehearsals and walk the couples through the ceremony. They attend the weddings and help the clergy and the couples to ensure a memorable experience. Arrangements must be made six months in advance. Give us a call at the Parish Center at 626-915-7873 when you have decided that it is time to begin planning for this sacrament. 

If you are married outside the Catholic Church and wish to have your marriage recognized by the church please contact the Parish Center at 626-915-7873, for assistance with arranging to have your marriage blessed, and with any annulment procedures which may be needed.

Informational Brochures

Sacramental Preparation

The commitment made by a couple, through the Sacrament of Matrimony, is a sign of God’s love and faithfulness. The Christian community shares their joy as they prepare to enter a new life together in the holy Sacrament of Marriage.  A sacramental Marriage celebrated in the Catholic Church acknowledges the importance of God in the lives of both husband and wife. The seriousness of entering into such a Christian marriage relationship requires the utmost diligence and willingness to be prepared in the best possible way.

Church Requirement:

• At least one party to the marriage must be a baptized Catholic.

St. Louise de Marillac requires six months’ notice before service can be performed. Please call the Parish Office at 626-915-7873 to get started.

Preparation for marriage:

A formal preparation program is required for all couples.

This typically involves an intake process including discussing the paperwork that is required, a personality/couple assessment (called FOCCUS), and an engaged retreat or a con-validation workshop.  When you call to schedule a wedding, you will first meet with a Deacon or Priest to begin the process.

An “Angel Couple” will be assigned to you to help you in preparing for your wedding ceremony one month before your wedding date.  They preside over the rehearsals and walk the couples through the ceremony. They attend the weddings and help the clergy and the couples to ensure a memorable experience.

Documentation:

You will be asked to provide the following documents before your marriage can be celebrated:

• Baptismal Certificate (not more than 6 months old) with all notations included. If the notations are not available, then your First Holy Communion and Confirmation certificate (if applicable).
• Letters of Freedom to Marry (affidavits by family or friends close to you, witnessed by a priest, deacon or assigned parish minister) 6 months before wedding.
• Valid California Marriage License
• Annulment papers if previously married. If you do not have these papers, we will be happy to assist you in receiving an annulment. More information can be found here: Annulments
• If either of you is non-Catholic, permission for mixed marriage or dispensation for disparity of worship form is necessary.

Detailed explain of these documents will be discussed when you first meet with a priest.

Church Donations and Payments

It is customary to donate to the Church to help cover expenses the Church incurs for weddings (paperwork, FOCCUS, utilities, clean-up, etc.) The usual fee for an active parishioner who has been registered for more than 12 months is $600.00.  Once your Wedding date has been scheduled a $300.00 nonrefundable deposit is to be made immediately to hold your date.

It is also customary to give a stipend to the presiding priest or deacon, but you may use your own discretion in this matter. 

All fees should be paid in the Parish Center no later than one month prior to your wedding date. If there is a financial hardship, please discuss this with the priest when you meet with him. 

If you are married outside the Catholic Church and wish to receive the Sacrament of Marriage, please contact the Parish Center at 626-915-7873, for assistance with arranging to have your marriage blessed, and with any annulment procedures which may be needed.

Helpful Resources

• LA Archdiocese Office of Marriage & Family Life: https://familylife.lacatholics.org/

• Marriage Preparation Programs: https://familylife.lacatholics.org/marriage-prep-programs

• Marriage Enrichment: https://familylife.lacatholics.org/marriage-family-life-challenges & https://www.helpourmarriage.org/

• Catholic Marriage FAQs: https://www.foryourmarriage.org/catholic-marriage-faqs/
  

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the sacrament through which baptized men are called to serve in the name and in the person of Christ, the Head, in the midst of the community.  It is a sacrament of service through ordination to the priesthood and is celebrated only after considerable preparation.  Similarly, discerning a call to the Religious life is also a response to God’s call to serve his family in a special way.

If you or someone you know is considering the life choice of becoming a Priest, a Sister, or a Brother, please call the Parish Center at 626-915-7873 and ask to speak to one of the parish priests.