“We shall share Christ’s power, if, through holy faith and the sacraments, we willingly accept the grace Christ earned for us, and live by that grace and in obedience to Christ.”
-St. Charles Borromeo
Baptism
Preparation class is for parishioners who are first-time parents or godparents. However, those who already have children or have served as godparents are also welcome to attend. To register for a session, please call the rectory office at 314.846.8207.
Sacrament of Baptism at Queen of All Saints At Queen of All Saints, we joyfully celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism as the first step in a person’s journey of faith. Baptisms for infants and young children are typically scheduled on Sunday afternoons following the 12:00 Noon Mass.
Scheduling a Baptism To schedule a baptism for your child, please contact the rectory office at 314-846-8207. Our team will be happy to assist you with the necessary arrangements and provide any additional information.
Baptism for Children Aged 7 and Older Children who are 7 years old or older and wish to be baptized generally prepare through either our Parish Grade School or the Parish School of Religion. Preparation includes instruction on the significance of the sacrament and the Catholic faith, with guidance from our clergy to ensure the child is properly prepared to receive this sacrament.
We look forward to sharing in the joy of welcoming your child into the Catholic faith through the Sacrament of Baptism. Please reach out to our office with any questions or to begin the preparation process.
By His death on the cross, Jesus saved us from sin and death. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the means by which we allow Jesus to forgive our sins as we confess them to the priest, Christ’s appointed minister.
Reconciliation
Elementary School and Parish School of Religion students will make their First Reconciliation in the months prior to receiving First Communion. Any baptized person who has not participated in the sacrament is welcome to do so. The Church asks its members to go to confession at least once each year.
Confession times at Queen of All Saints:
Tuesday:
- Following the 6:15 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. Masses
- 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday:
- 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
- 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
To arrange for reconciliation at another time, contact one of the priests at 314-846-8207.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion
As Catholics, we believe that the bread and wine brought forward at Mass truly become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the consecration which takes place at the altar.
Catholics wishing to make their First Communion should be prepared in understanding what takes place at the consecration of the Eucharist.
School-aged children will receive instruction through our Elementary School or Parish School of Religion classes during the Second Grade school year. For others wishing to receive instruction about First Communion, contact the rectory at 314.846.8207.
The Holy Mass is at the center of our Catholic life because the Holy Eucharist is “the source and summit” of our Faith.
Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper while celebrating the Passover meal with his apostles. The gift of the Holy Eucharist makes Jesus present to us today and every day. He did not abandon us, rather he gave us the Church in whose authority priests and bishops consecrate the unleavened bread and wine at the Mass by which it becomes the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus. Through this miracle the same Jesus who was crucified and rose from the dead may be received by Catholics today.
The grace of this sacrament provides supernatural food for the soul to strengthen and nourish the faithful as they seek greater union with Christ in their daily life. Each time Catholics receive holy communion they have an opportunity to grow in holiness through their openness to the graces offered in this encounter with Jesus. In the Catholic tradition we call these graces the fruits of Holy Communion.
Question 292 in the Compendium of the Catechism describes these fruits…
Holy Communion increases our union with Christ and with his Church. It preserves and renews the life of grace received at Baptism and Confirmation and makes us grow in love for our neighbor. It strengthens us in charity, wipes away venial sins and preserves us from mortal sin in the future.
Catholics believe that the presence of Jesus remains in the consecrated host and Precious Blood as long as they remain unconsumed and intact. For this reason, all of the Precious Blood is consumed during the Mass. Any remaining hosts are placed in the tabernacle, a beautiful box that reminds us of the tabernacle of the Old Testament where God visited his people. Today, Jesus waits for us in tabernacles throughout the world. He has given us a wonderful gift in his enduring presence in the Holy Eucharist and invites us to visit him often to find peace in his presence and give him our adoration and thanks. Throughout the history of the Church the Holy Eucharist has been taken to the sick or homebound who are not able to attend Mass. This is only possible because of the gift of Christ’s abiding presence.
Confirmation
Sacrament of Confirmation at Queen of All Saints
At Queen of All Saints Elementary School and in our Parish School of Religion, students are carefully prepared to receive the sacrament of Confirmation during their 8th grade year.
Sacramental Prerequisites
To be eligible for Confirmation, candidates must have already received the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist. For those who have not been baptized or received their First Communion, preparation will occur through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), where they will receive the necessary sacraments.
Confirmation Sponsor
Each Confirmation candidate is required to select a sponsor to support them in their spiritual journey. A sponsor must be at least 16 years old, a practicing Catholic who has received the sacrament of Confirmation, and is not the candidate’s parent. Sponsors can be either male or female, and it is not necessary for the sponsor to share the same gender as the candidate. This individual will stand alongside the candidate, offering guidance, prayer, and example as they grow in their faith.
The role of a Confirmation sponsor is an important one, as they help foster the candidate’s relationship with Christ and the Church, encouraging a deeper understanding and commitment to the faith.
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact our parish office.
The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, where they pledge their lifelong and unwavering fidelity to one another, strengthened by the special grace they receive from Jesus. For a marriage to be recognized as valid by the Church, a Catholic must marry in a Catholic ceremony or, if in another religious tradition, with the Church’s blessing.
Couples wishing to marry within the Church must allow at least six months for marriage preparation with a priest or parish deacon. This preparation includes personal counseling sessions, participation in an introductory course on Natural Family Planning, and either a series of meetings with a married couple from the parish or attending a Catholic engagement retreat.
The Church deeply honors and upholds the bond between husband and wife, recognizing the marriage even if the couple should later separate. Anyone who has been previously married and is seeking to marry again should contact a priest to discuss the annulment process.
For parishioners, or children of parishioners, wishing to be married at Queen of All Saints or seeking a parish priest or deacon to officiate the Sacrament of Marriage, please contact the Parish Office at 314.846.8207.
Anointing of the Sick
“A woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years came up behind Jesus in the crowd, touched His garment, and immediately felt her body healed. Jesus, realizing that power had gone out from Him, asked, ‘Who touched my garments?’ The woman, knowing she had been healed, fell before Him and said the truth. Jesus said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.'” (Mark 5:24-34)
Anointing of the Sick: A Source of Grace and Comfort
When we are faced with illness or the reality of death, we confront the frailty of our mortality. In these difficult times, we are not left alone. Jesus, in His great love and mercy, has given us the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, through which He brings us healing and grace.
Understanding Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing given to Catholics who are suffering from illness, facing a life-threatening situation (such as major surgery or a serious medical emergency), or nearing the end of life. While it is sometimes mistakenly referred to as the “Last Rites,” this sacrament is only one part of the complete rites that the Church offers to those nearing death. The Last Rites include Confession (if the person is able), Holy Communion (known as viaticum, or “food for the journey”), and special prayers for the dying.
It is important not to wait too long to request this sacrament, as doing so may deprive the person of the graces that it offers. The sacrament is a source of strength, comfort, and spiritual healing in times of distress, and it is a gift that can bring peace to the person and their loved ones.
The Graces of Anointing of the Sick
The primary grace of the Anointing of the Sick is the strengthening of hope. It helps the sick person resist despair and fear of death, while providing spiritual comfort and courage to endure their suffering. This sacrament unites the individual to the suffering Christ, who is present with them in their time of need.
Additionally, for those who cannot confess their sins aloud, the Anointing of the Sick offers the forgiveness of sins, granting peace and spiritual healing even in extreme circumstances. While the sacrament may sometimes result in physical healing — and miraculous healing is possible — there is no guarantee that healing will always occur in every instance.
Scriptural Foundation
The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is rooted in the teachings of the Bible. The Apostle James describes this sacrament in his letter:
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15)
The Elements of the Anointing of the Sick
The sacrament typically includes the following steps:
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Penitential Prayer – A prayer for forgiveness and healing.
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Liturgy of the Word – A brief reading from Scripture.
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The Laying of Hands – The priest lays hands on the sick person as a sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence and healing.
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Anointing with Oil – The priest anoints the person’s forehead and hands with the oil of the sick, saying:
“Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who frees you from sin, save you and raise you up.”
For those near death, viaticum (Holy Communion) may be administered. This “food for the journey” is a special grace, as it nourishes the soul for its passage into eternal life. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:54)
If the person is close to death, the sacrament may also include:
- Apostolic Pardon – A prayer offering forgiveness of sins.
- Prayer of Commendation – Prayers for a peaceful and holy death.
Wisdom from the Early Church Fathers
The early Church Fathers recognized the profound power of this sacrament. St. John Chrysostom wrote:
“Our priests have received the power not of treating with the leprosy of the body, but with spiritual uncleanness; not of declaring cleansed, but of actually cleansing. … Is there anyone among you sick? Let him call in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (On the Priesthood, A.D. 387)
Similarly, St. Caesar of Arles encouraged the faithful to seek the sacrament in times of illness:
“As often as some infirmity overtakes a man, let him receive the body and blood of Christ and ask the presbyters for blessed oil, so that what was written may be fulfilled in him: ‘Is anyone among you sick? Let him bring in the presbyters, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man.'” (Sermon, A.D. 542)
A Gift of Grace and Healing
The Anointing of the Sick is a powerful source of grace, providing spiritual healing and peace in times of illness and suffering. Whether it leads to physical recovery or strengthens the soul for eternal life, it is a beautiful reminder that Jesus never abandons us — He is always with us, offering His love and mercy, especially in our most difficult moments.
Planning Resources
Our parish staff will be happy to help you through the planning process. Please call our Parish office at 314.846.8207.
Funeral Masses
The Catholic Funeral Rites in the Order of Christian Funerals (1989) are celebrations that enable the Christian community to mourn as well as to hope by focusing on the mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ. These guidelines are offered to assist in effectively preparing the funeral rites with individuals and families.
Understanding Death – A Christian Perspective
Death and passing on to eternal life are mysteries at the center of the Church’s belief. Although American culture generally recoils from death and tries to deny it, “In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the Son of God, by his death and resurrection, has broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity.” (Order of Christian Funerals, #1)
Celebration of the Church
Christian funerals are not private observances, but celebrations of the whole Body of Christ, in which, “Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of life which has now been returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just.” (Order of Christian Funerals, #5) Therefore these rites are celebrated with appropriate choices of music, readings, gestures, and decorations that are consistent with a Catholic understanding of death. “The celebration of the Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to the living. While proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and witnessing to Christian hope in the resurrection, the funeral rites also recall to all who take part in them God’s mercy and judgment and meet the human need to turn always to God in times of crisis.” (Order of Christian Funerals, #7)
Get in Touch
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