Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life. It is the gateway to the fullness of life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children 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.

To register your child for baptism at St. Joseph's Parish, call the office for scheduling, (916) 645-2102, and fill out the linked form below.
English Baptism Application               Spanish Baptism Application

• Catholics believe the Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe in the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins. As we receive Christ's Body and Blood, we also are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God.

If you or your child has not yet made your First Eucharist (Communion), the parish offers Religious Education classes in order to help you understand the sacrament

OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) classes for adults.

OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation for Children) classes for children.

Please contact the parish office for more information.

The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Penance, or Penance and Reconciliation) has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. In it we find God's unconditional forgiveness; as a result we are called to forgive others. Children and Adults preparing for their First Reconciliation will receive instructions in their class.

The parish offers Reconciliation at St Joseph Church on Saturdays from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, on the First Saturday of the month at 9:00 am or by appointment during the weekdays.

We also offer Communal Penance Services twice a year during Advent and Lent.

• The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states: “Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds. (Paragraph 1316)
  
  Confirmation is a Catholic Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. It is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation for Catholics. It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we are adopted as sons & daughters into God’s family – the Catholic Church. Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, our identity as children of God is perfected and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
   

If you or your child has not yet made your Confirmation the parish offers Religious Education classes in order to help you understand the sacrament. 

Have the class to begin preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, for children starting 7th grade (classes for two years)

OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation for Children) combination of sacraments of initiation needed for children age 9 -17). 

 
PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION
 The Sacrament of Confirmation is a two-year process for youth in grades 7 – 11, who have received Baptism, First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.
 Students must attend all scheduled classes, parent/sponsor sessions, retreats and also perform service (community and
liturgical) hours each year.
 Students and/or families who miss more than the equivalent of 3 hours in the program during a year, will be removed from the
program and/or will be unable to advance to the second year.
  Students who are in grade 12, should wait until they have turned 18 and enroll in the Adult OCIA program.
 Schedules and Calendars will be distributed at the first session. If a session is missed it is up to the parent to immediately contact the religious education office or the Catechist to determine what lesson(s) need to be made up/completed, as well as when sacrament preparation sessions are held.
 Registration from Year 1 into Year 2 is NOT automatic; children must be registered each year.
 Sponsors – students receiving Confirmation must choose a Sponsor who is in good standing with the Catholic church. Click the link for information on who can be a Sponsor according to Diocesan guidelines pursuant to Canon 874.1. Sponsors must be chosen during year 1 so that the Sponsor will be involved in the student’s formation in year 2. Forms and due date will be provided to students/parents at the first/orientation class.
 A student who does not complete all requirements in year 1 (community & liturgical service), retreats, etc. may not advance to
year 2 or will have to make up requirements prior to receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Parents are responsible for making sure the student is staying current and attends events as required.

**The program at the mission churches of St. Boniface and St. Daniel may vary slightly. You will be provided with information on classes at the mission parishes at registration.

Please contact the parish office for more information.  More information can also be found under "What is OCIA.”

Confirmation Program: Administration | Diocese of Sacramento (scd.org)

For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person. It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God's values.

Couples desiring to be married at St Joseph Parish must contact the Parish Office at least 6 (six) months in advance to make an appointment will need a recent copy of your Baptismal Certificate and a copy of your Confirmation Certificate.

Wedding dates will not be put on the calendar until after your first appointment with the priest.

Please note:

If you are required to do extra paperwork, apart from the marriage preparation, you will not be able to set a date until that paperwork is complete.

If you live outside the parish you will have to obtain a permission letter from your parish to allow you to marry in our parish.

In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness.

The Catholic Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as 'Last Rites' or 'Extreme Unction', is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for physical but also for mental and spiritual sickness.

The Anointing of the Sick “is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as any one of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting for him to receive the sacrament has certainly already arrived.”

If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the person’s condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation. The same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced.  (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1514, 1515)

Please call the parish office to request the Anointing of the Sick for your loved one.