Infants and Children to age 7
Baptisms are celebrated once a month during the Sunday Masses at St. Mary of the Pines. Baptisms rotate through each of the Sunday Masses so that the whole parish community may have the experience of welcoming new members.

The diocesan policy requires that parents must attend the pre-baptism seminar. Godparents are encouraged to attend. Check the Bulletin for the date, time and place.

Church Law requires that:

• There must be a godparent; two are preferred 
• Godparents must be “practicing Catholics.” Someone who is not a Catholic may be a witness
• Godparents must be at least 16 years of age
• Godparents must be confirmed in the Catholic faith

Those who live outside the parish boundaries of St. Mary of the Pines and who wish to have a child baptized at St. Mary’s must have written permission from their own pastor, and must attend the baptism seminar.

Children over 7 - up to Adults
Candidates enroll in an on-going instruction process called “The Rite of Christian Initiation”. There are two separate sections for the processes: one for school age children RCIC (grades one thru twelve), and one for adults RCIA.

For those who are interested in the Catholic Faith, call the Parish Office 318-687-5121 and ask to speak to the Director of Religious Education.

The Diocese of Shreveport, and all Dioceses of Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi, requires that marriage arrangements be made no less than 6 (six) months in advance of the marriage date.

Pre-marital instructions are required

• Recent Baptism Certificate for bride and groom, no more than six (6) months old.
• Confirmation is encouraged but not required.
• Neither party, Catholic nor non-Catholic, may have been through a church or a civil marriage ceremony.
• If either party has been married previously, civil or church wedding/Catholic or NOT, the previous marriage(s) must be examined to determine if the party is free to marry. A civil divorce does not grant freedom to marry again.
• Pre-Cana process.
• If you are from another parish or are from out of town or state, a letter of permission from home pastor is required for you to be married at St. Mary’s.
• If one of the parties is not Catholic, proof of Baptism in his/her Christian faith community is required (a certificate, letter, or sworn testimony concerning baptism from a close relative or friend).