The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus.  Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist.  The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters. Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin.  However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptize all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin – Original and actual – and begin to live a new life with God.

Sacred Scripture begins with the creation and union of man and woman and ends with "the wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rev 19:7, 9). Scripture often refers to marriage, its origin and purpose, the meaning God gave to it, and its renewal in the covenant made by Jesus with his Church.  Man and woman were created for each other.

The Bishops of Missouri have established a policy that all couples wishing to celebrate this sacrament are to notify the parish at least six months prior to their proposed date. This will allow sufficient time for the couple to complete the required FOCUS survey, to attend the pre-marriage programs and to prepare a proper celebration of the sacrament. Only after the process has begun will the date be entered as definite in the parish calendar. The Church presumes that at least one partner in the marriage is a practicing Catholic. The parish also has its own guidelines that must be followed.
 
Please call Fr. Chris Dunlap at 636-391-1307, ext. 308 or by email at cdunlap@cpopschool.com.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is a one-year program with preparation starting in 8th grade and goes through the period of mystagogia, which is post-Confirmation catechesis.  Through this program, the youth will be saying YES to God, YES that they believe in what the Catholic Church teaches and that they want to live a life following and in relationship with God and His Church, which calls them to evangelize to those around them through word and action.

Please call Andrea Bonsanti at 636-391-1307, ext. 313 or by email at abonsanti@chirstprinceofpeace.com.

“First Holy Communion. Having become a child of God clothed with the garment, the neophyte is admitted ‘to the marriage supper of the Lamb’ and receives the food of the new life, the body and blood of Christ. The Easter Churches maintain a lively awareness of the unity of Christian initiation by giving Holy Communion to all the newly baptized and confirmed, even little children, recalling the Lord’s words: ‘Let the children come to me, do not hinder them.’ The Latin Church, which reserves admission to Holy Communion to those who have attained the age of reason, expresses the orientation of Baptism to the Eucharist by having the newly baptized child brought to the altar for the praying of the Our Father.” CCC 1244

If students have previously been baptized, First Communion is celebrated after a period of preparation in second grade.  First Communion is typically celebrated at Christ, Prince of Peace in April or May. Children previously baptized who did not celebrate their First Communion with their second grade class, may do so at a Sunday Mass after a period of preparation as scheduled by the Pastor.

Please call Andrea Bonsanti at 636-391-1307, ext. 313 or by email at abonsanti@chirstprinceofpeace.com.

Not only does it [the Sacrament of Penance] free us from our sins but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us.  We are liberated to be forgivers.  We obtain new insight into the words of the Prayer of St. Francis: "It is in pardoning that we are pardoned."

Reconciliation is ministered every Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., of by appointment. Please call the Parish Office to schedule.