Baptism
Children under 7 years of age
We welcome you to bring your child to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph for
the Sacrament of Baptism. We ask that both parents and sponsors (godparents) participate
in Baptism preparation, either at the Cathedral Basilica or in your own parish.
It is important to know that sponsors must be at least 16 years of age, be baptized
and confirmed, receive communion and are participating in the worship and life of
the Catholic Church. We hope that your child's baptism will be an experience of
renewal and fulfillment for your entire family. You will find more detailed information
in our Procedures for Infant Baptism.
People age 7 and above who wish to be baptized…
… must participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation. Children ages 7-17 meet
on Sunday mornings at the parish from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Programs run approximately
8 months, beginning the first weekend of October. On Easter weekend of the following
year, both children and adults are eligible to receive Baptism, Holy Eucharist and
Confirmation. Parent participation is highly encouraged for our children's programs.
We ask you to please register in person in our parish office during the months of
July and August. Call (408) 283-8100, extension 2200 for fee and other program details.
If you are an adult who is unbaptized or baptized in another religion read below
about Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) below.
Confirmation
The perfumed Chrism of our anointing is a sign of God's blessing. It is, for
most Catholics, the completion of the Sacraments of Initiation. Rather than being
a "graduation," it is the entryway into full participation as an adult in the Church.
It is an opportunity for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to make us responsible, Christ-like
Children of God in the Spirit of Christ. We might be likened to birds fresh out
of the nest - sent out to witness to the world and stand up for our faith. The Sacrament
of Confirmation calls us to be patient, kind and merciful, and to serve others in
need. We resolve to say a new "amen" to Christ.
Preparation for Confirmation
The Confirmation Preparation Program for baptized teens ages 15 - 17 years and/or
in grades 10 -12, offers a great opportunity for our youth to meet other young people
and share about their faith experiences and needs together. Sessions are conducted weekly and begin during the first week of October. The Sacrament of Confirmation
is administered during the spring in the weeks following Easter. Registration is
done in our parish office and requires that a certificate of Baptism be presented.
Please call 408-283-8100, extension 2200 for fee, schedule and registration information.
The person not yet baptized nor who has made First Communion, would join the Rite
of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A. - please read below) and/or Children
(R.C.I.C.)
Holy Eucharist (Communion)
"…For my Flesh is true food and Blood is true drink." (John 6:51-55) Jesus was born into our world as a human being to live among us as God's loving presence.
Our humanness nourished Jesus' love to the point of his ultimate gift - the sacrifice
of his own life for our redemption. On the night before he was killed, he shared
bread and wine with his disciples, transforming the bread and wine into his own
body and blood. Each time we participate in the Eucharistic celebration, we ourselves
become transformed and living members of the One True Christ, who is present under
the Eucharistic Species of Bread and Wine. We are all invited to experience Jesus'
presence in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Preparation for First Holy Communion
Baptized children in grades 2 through 9 meet Sunday mornings - at either 9:45 a.m.
or 11:15 a.m. - beginning in the fall. We start with a parent orientation and run
approximately 8 months. At the Cathedral Basilica, the children traditionally receive
their First Communion during the month of May. A certificate of Baptism must be
presented at the time of registration, which must be done in person in the parish
office during the months of July and August. Unbaptized children are prepared for
Holy Communion through the R.C.I.C. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children)
Program. They also meet on Sunday mornings starting in the fall. R.C.I.C. prepares
the child for receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation
at Easter. Parent participation is required. A schedule for the course is provided
to all parents/guardians. Please call (408) 283-8100, ext. 2200 for fee, schedule
and registration information. Unbaptized adults would participate in Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.).
SACRAMENTS OF HEALING
Reconciliation
"Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." Throughout his life, Jesus
was sought out by men and women who, distressed and humbled, said, "Yes, I have
sinned, have mercy on me." Their faith drew them to believe in Jesus' power of forgiveness
- the living presence of the compassionate God. When we confess our sins, we are
exercising the gift of our own free will - the choice to tell God that we have wronged
Him and others and seek to have our relationship with them restored. Through confession,
God reaches back to us in a most real way, love and mercy in hand. The priest, serving
as God's representative, continues Jesus' ministry of forgiveness and reconciliation
by forgiving penitents their sins in this sacrament. Your priest, in carrying out
the commitment to be Christ's presence among us, provides the avenue to the healing
that Confession and Reconciliation bring. Confessions are available at 11:45 a.m.
Monday through Friday, just prior to our weekday Mass at 12:05 p.m., and on Saturdays
at 4:00 p.m. On First Fridays, confessions are heard during the Holy Hour starting
at 12:30 p.m. You may also call the parish office at 408-283-8100, ext. 2200, for
an appointment with a priest.
Anointing of the Sick
This is a special grace that conveys God's strength and life amid a most difficult
time of our human lives. This Sacrament confers upon the infirm the grace of the
Holy Spirit, embracing the whole person, renewing his or her trust in God and empowering
the individual against the threat and pain of their illness. This empowerment allows
the infirm to reach beyond the pain and find spiritual salvation - the ownership
of his or her healing. This Sacrament is also offered in conjunction with the Sacrament
of Reconciliation to those who are ill and seek forgiveness for their sins.
Who would receive the Anointing of the Sick?
- Someone facing major surgery
- A person diagnosed with a terminal illness
- The frail at any age or the elderly
- People who are at the end time of their lives
- Acute patients in the care of a hospital, especially those in the Emergency Room
and Intensive Care Unit
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph is on call for San Jose Regional Medical
Center in life or death situations. A hospital staff member customarily calls our
parish, although many times, we are contacted directly by a Hospice worker or family
member. Please speak with someone in your own parish to learn about their protocols
to serve you. Hospital social workers are also helpful and can put you in contact
with the chaplain on duty in case of immediate need. Saint Joseph parishioners are
encouraged to notify the parish prior to entering the hospital or convalescent care.
SACRAMENTS OF COMMUNION AND SERVICE
Matrimony
A Cathedral wedding will provide you with exquisite and everlasting memories.
You are the Sacrament – a sign of God’s love for you and God’s righteous presence
in our world. We welcome you to share this grace with us and amid the company of
your loved ones. We are able to schedule weddings for people who are registered
members of the Cathedral parish as well as those who attend other parishes. If the
Cathedral is not where you regularly worship, we ask that you please consult with
the priest from your own parish to inquire about his availability to celebrate your
wedding at the Cathedral and oversee your marriage preparation. We recommend allowing
eight months to one year for the scheduling of your date. We are available to answer
your questions throughout the time between establishing the reservation and the
date of the wedding. Please read our policy as follows to learn more about the Sacrament
of Matrimony and other details concerning Cathedral weddings.
Holy Orders
The unique ministry of the Apostles is continued in our day by those within the
church called by God to Holy Orders - bishops, priests and deacons. These men, having
received the sacrament by the laying on of hands by a successor to the Apostles,
the bishop, serve the People of God in a variety of ways, primarily through the
preaching of the Word, serving as pastors to the Lord's own flock, and through the
administration of the sacraments.