Sacramental Information

Sacrament of Baptism / PRE-JORDAN
Baptisms are celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of the month following the 11:30 am mass.

Baptismal arrangements can only be made after you attend the Pre-Jordan class, held on the first Monday of every other month in the Faculty Room at 7:00 pm.  The remaining 2012 classes are July 2, September 4, and November 5.  Parents are required to attend along with the child’s Sponsors / Godparents, during the pregnancy.  Please do not wait until the child is born to attend.

Godparents must be practicing Catholics (actively participating for the past 6 months in your current parish), and over 16 years of age.
- If you wish to become a godparent and are a non-parishioner, you must provide a letter of eligibility from your current parish at least two weeks prior to baptism;
- If you wish to become a godparent of a child in another parish, you must be a current, active member of St. John’s to receive a letter of eligibility (see below);
- If you are not an active member of St. John’s, you must contact the parish you are currently registered in for a letter of eligibility.

Sacrament of Marriage / PRE-CANA
Couples must make arrangements with a priest of the parish at least six months before the wedding. The priest will assist with all the necessary arrangements, and couples must attend the mandatory Archdiocesan Sacramental Preparation class (Pre-Cana).   It is a full-day class with other couples beginning in the early morning and concluding with mass and day’s end. The next Pre-Cana class is TBD.  Contact the rectory with any questions.  Couples must sign up at least two weeks in advance of the class in order to process the required forms, cost is $60 per couple due at sign up.  The day begins promptly at 8:00 am and concludes after 4:00 pm mass is ended (about 5:00 pm).  Please contact the rectory with any class-related details we may assist with.  The following link will help answer some of the Frequently Asked Questions regarding Marriage in the Catholic Church.
http://archphila.org/evangelization/famlife/famlife_pdf/MarriagePrepFAQ-fr%20AH%20070210.pdf

Letter of Eligibility
A Letter of Eligibility is necessary for potential godparents or confirmation sponsors, non-parishioners who wish to register, or those wishing to receive sacraments.  Only an active member of the parish may request a Letter of Eligibility signed by their Pastor.  This letter acknowledges that a person is currently registered in a Roman Catholic parish, at least 16 years of age, Confirmed, (married in the Catholic Church if applicable), receives the sacraments regularly, and has been a member of the parish for at least six months.  Unfortunately we are unable to provide letters of eligibility for prior or inactive parishioners.

Parishioners in need of a letter should contact the rectory as soon as it is requested from another parish.  Call us at 215-482-4600 or e-mail us at sjbphila@aol.com and include your name, address, and phone number, and the name of the parish requesting the letter.

Sacrament of Penance
Saturdays: 3:15PM to 3:45 PM
Seasonal Penance Services.
Confessions anytime by appointment.