“Are there people who are sick among you?  Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.  The prayer of faith will save the sick persons and the Lord will raise them up.”  James 5:14-15

The Anointing of the Sick was instituted by Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle and brother of the Lord.” (CCC 1511; Mark 6:13; James 5:14-15)

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 and indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1499

In former days, this sacrament was often called Extreme Unction, that is, the last anointing prior to death.  In the reforms of Vatican II, the sacrament was properly defined as restorative and healing in nature, and is not to be reserved until only prior to death.  A person who is facing surgery, serious illness or a chronic health condition benefits from the divine graces imparted by the Anointing of the Sick.

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213

A baptism preparation class is offered to parents so they may more fully and deeply appreciate the mystery of baptism and what it will mean for their child.  Parents celebrating baptism for the first time are required to attend the class. Others are welcome to attend.  Please contact the parish office for more information and for the schedule of classes.

Families who are registered and active in the parish at least six months show their commitment to the Faith as they live out their own baptismal dignity and obligations.  Families who have not been active in their practice of the Faith are to meet with the Pastor.

Families who wish to celebrate baptism in our parish but who are members elsewhere are required to obtain a letter of permission from their local Pastor.  The letter is to be presented to the Pastor of Saint Paul the Apostle prior to the scheduling of the baptism.

Godparents support the parents in their duties as Christian parents.  A godparent commits to living the Christian life in the Catholic Church and thus serve as a strong example of faith and responsibility for the child.  Godparents must be active Catholics in good standing with the Church.  Godparents from other Catholic parishes are required to obtain certification from their local Pastor and to submit it to the Pastor of Saint Paul the Apostle at least one week before the baptism.  Other baptized Christians are welcome to serve as Christian Witnesses but, because they do not embrace Catholic beliefs, are unable to be godparents.

For more information please contact the parish office at 864.882.8551.

English Documents

• USCCB Baptism Flyer
• Baptism Application
• Baptism Information for Families
• Sponsor Certification Letter

Spanish Documents

• USCCB Folleto de Bautismo
• Solicitud de Bautismo
• Información de Bautismo para Familias
• Carta de Certificación del Padrino

Those who approach the Sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.Catechism of the Catholic Church 1422

Reconciliation Times

The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.Catechism of the Catholic Church 1601

Forms, Guidelines, and Liturgical Selections can be found below. For more information please contact the parish office at 864.882.8551

Documents

• Forms
• Guidelines & Policies
• Readings & Music Selections

The Holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord’s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.

At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1322 & 1323

Communion to the Sick and Homebound is scheduled through the parish offices.  Only parish Clergy and approved Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EM’s) are authorized to bring the Eucharist to the sick and homebound. Please call the main office (864.882.8551) or Jeanne (864.886.2146) to make a request.

Preparation for children to receive the Eucharist for the first time occurs within the parish’s Faith Formation program.  For children age seven and above, there is a two year preparation program, Eucharist Prep I and Eucharist Prep II, which begins each year in September.  Please contact the JoAnne Baker 864-886-2049 or Maria Martel Worley (español) 864-886-2421.

Adults (age 18 and above) prepare to receive the Eucharist for the first time, either as converts from another faith tradition or as baptized Catholics who have not completed Christian initiation, through the parish’s RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). Please contact Father Bill | 864-886-2419 | [email protected].

Saint Paul's Confirmation information is currently being updated.