• New Parishioners
• Tithing
• Sacramental Program for Children
• Non-Sacramental Program for Children
• Confirmation Program
• RCIA–Adult Sacramental Program
• Ministry to the Infirm
• Baptism Guidelines, Procedures, and Policies
• Wedding Guidelines, Procedures, and Policies

If you are new to the parish, and would like to become an offiicial member of our Faith Community, you are invited and strongly encouraged to register at the parish office. It is very helpful all the way around.  We also encourage you to use the envelopes.  It not only gives a visible witness to your sacrificial giving and support of your parish, we also have a record of your donations for tax purposes and we have a “hard copy” of your presence and participation.  For those who wish to make St. Casimir their parish family with future plans to celebrate a baptism, a wedding or obtain a letter to be a godparent or sponsor, it is necessary to be formally registered and actively participating on a regular basis for at least three months before dates can be set or letters can be written. We look forward to hearing from you!

Registration Form

The Faith Community of St. Casimir is a Tithing Parish. As God has been generous to us, we are invited and challenged to be generous with what we have received. We are encouraged to share our time, our talents and our treasure–they are all gifts from God entrusted to us to be used for the good of all. The Bible tells us that Tithing is God’s plan to continue His works and to support His and our Church. In the area of our finances, to Tithe in the traditional sense means to offer 10% of our gross income to God in the following way: 5% to our parish family and 5% to other charitable works. Whatever you decide to give in terms of your time, talent and treasure, it puts God and His works first. Also, whatever you decide is between you and God.

Normally, here at St. Casimir, the celebrations of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist take place in the 2nd grade for those children of St. Casimir Parish who were in the 1st grade last year at our school (or another Catholic School), or  those 2nd grade children of St. Casimir Parish who do not attend a Catholic school, but who have participated for at least one year in an approved religious education program. Families of children who wish to participate in St. Casimir’s program need to be officially registered as members of the parish. Please call the parish office for more information about the program and the schedule of dates and times for the parent/guardian meetings as well as the dates and times of the classes for the children.

Our non-sacramental program for children is a home-based program. The parents/guardians of the children work with our Religious Education team on a regular basis and are the actual teachers of their children. Families of children who wish to participate in St. Casimir’s program need to be officially registered as members of the parish. Please call the parish office for more information.

Confirmation is celebrated every two years here at St. Casimir. It is a year-long program beginning in the Spring (the even years) for those who are in the 7th and 8th grades (or higher). Families of children who wish to participate in St. Casimir’s program need to be officially registered as members of the parish. Please call the parish office for more information.

The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a program for adults who wish to become fully initiated members of the Catholic Faith Community.  It is intended for those adults who have never been baptized or those adults who have been baptized in a non-Catholic Christian congregation who wish to become members of the Catholic Faith Community  or  those adults who have been baptized in the Catholic Faith Community but have not completed their initiation through the reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist or those fully initiated Catholics who wish to update themselves in the area of the faith, doctrine, etc. If you or someone you know are interested and would like more information, please contact Fr. Ross at the parish office.

We at the Faith Community of St. Casimir miss you at your rightful and accustomed place in the Eucharistic community. We all know what a great privilege it is to be present and participate in the liturgy of the Mass and to receive the grace of our Lord in the Eucharist, and how you must be yearning for that opportunity.

Pain, discomfort, anxiety, isolation and loneliness are some of the many sufferings that you could be familiar with today. The sacraments of the church that in themselves contain many graces and blessings are very useful in helping you to fight against illness and perhaps give you enough encouragement to restore you to health. When Jesus walked the earth he constantly showed concern for those who were ill. Today, He continues that concern for you in the Church’s ministry to the sick. It is our responsibility to see to it that you are always remembered in the prayer of your fellow parishioners, especially when we come together and worship on the Lord’s Day. We also want to ensure that you may frequently receive the sacraments that give us so much joy.

We have lay volunteer “Ministers of Care” who can bring you Holy Communion after Mass on the weekends. This is a wonderful way for the Faith Community to include you in the celebration of the Lord’s Day. The minister will come to your home and offer with you a communion service that will help prepare you for receiving our Lord in the Eucharist. You can even help plan the service if you wish, by choosing the readings or by including your family or caretaker. It is a wonderful way for you and us to be a living part of the faith community and fulfill Jesus’ desire to come to you even in your sickness and suffering. We invite you to take advantage of this. All you need to do is call the friary office at 410-276-1981 and ask that you be put on the “Pastoral Care Visit List” and one of the ministers will give you a call to set up a time to visit. Also, Fr. Ross is always available to celebrate the sacraments of penance or anointing of the sick; all you need to do is call the friary office and make arrangements.

The birth of a child is cause for great gladness and rejoicing. Through Baptism we are joined with Jesus in a very intimate way.  St. Paul reminds us that because we are baptized into Christ, we are also baptized into his death so that, in one sense, buried with Jesus, we will also rise with him and share in the fullness of life now and for all eternity.  It’s important to remember, as St. Paul says, we are baptized.  Sometimes we have a tendency to say that we were baptized.  However, Baptism is like Marriage in that it is something that we live out every day.  We normally do not say that I was married; we say I am married.  Similarly, we should be saying that I am baptized.  We live out the commitment made at Baptism everyday.  We grow into the grace of our Baptism.  Also, by our Baptism we all share in the priesthood of Jesus and, therefore, all of us are called to share in the work of ministry, each in his or her own special calling.  It is obvious that the Sacrament of Baptism is so much more than just a rite or ritual that one has to go through.  It is the most important of the Seven Sacraments and has implications that go to the core of who we are.

BAPTIZED INTO THE COMMUNITY: Through Baptism one is received into the community of the Church.  This usually happens at the local level–the parish.  We here at St. Casimir Parish refer to ourselves as a Faith Community.  Parents who ask for Baptism for their children do so as members of the Faith Community. Children are baptized into the lived faith of their family; it is an expression of the family’s belonging to the Faith Community and being active participants.  Central to the life of the Faith Community is the weekly celebration of the Liturgy (Mass).  There are also many other opportunities available that foster and promote one’s participation in and support of the Faith Community.

THERE IS NO RUSH: In the past it was taught that a baby should be baptized as soon as possible.  That was because people thought that if, God forbid, anything would happen to a baby before being baptized, she or he would not go to heaven, but would end up in a place called Limbo.  This was never an official teaching of the Church; it is not doctrine.  The understanding today is that, while Baptism on our part is necessary, the love of God is all-embracing, so much so, that God would never keep from himself any of his little ones–our God is an all-loving, kind and compassionate Father.  Therefore, parents should feel free to begin the inquiry and process for Baptism by calling the parish office at a time when it is comfortable and not feel that they have to complete the process as soon possible.  The initial inquiry and tentative arrangements can be made before the birth of your baby.

DATES, TIMES AND REGISTRATION: Families seeking to celebrate Baptism for their children need to be officially registered with parish. So that the celebration of Baptism will be most meaningful, for those parents/guardians who are new to the Faith Community or those who are just returning to regular participation in the life of the Faith Community, the policy here at St. Casimir is to formally register with the parish (contact the parish office) and after a period of three months of regular participation, an appointment can be made with the pastor at which time a date for the Baptism will be chosen.  Baptisms usually take place on the last Sunday or Saturday of the month at various Liturgies. Part of the preparation for Baptism includes an instructional session for the parents/guardians and the godparents.  The date and time for this session will be determined to accommodate those involved.

The role of the godparents is a supporting role.  They assist the parents in their responsibilities of raising their child in the Faith of the Church.  When considering who will be chosen as godparents, it is important to remember that they will serve, along with the parents, as models of what it means to be a good Catholic and a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.  They should be “All-Stars of the Faith.”  Potential godparents are required to be at least 16 years of age and have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.  They should be attending the Liturgy on a regular basis, striving to live good and holy lives, and living according to God’s teaching in the area of marriage and family.  They should be able to have a special and unique relationship with their soon-to-be godchild, and be willing to involve themselves in his or her life and his or her family.  Letters  need to be obtained from the parishes to which they belong which state that the potential godparents are members of that parish and are qualified to act as godparents.  Normally for infants there are two godparents: one female and one male, but one will suffice.  While the ideal is to have two Catholic godparents, in certain cases one who is a non-Catholic Christian can stand in as a Christian Witness.

We have a beautiful church building and are conveniently located in a nice part of the city.  As a result we receive many, many requests for weddings.  Preparing for a wedding is a very involved process and, on the part of the Faith Community, it is a commitment that demands a lot of time and energy, which we gladly expend for the members of our parish family.  Currently, there is only one priest here at St. Casimir and, for all of the above-mentioned reasons, we normally do not celebrate weddings for those who are not part of the Faith Community.         

For those who are members of other parishes, it is possible to celebrate your marriage here provided that:
1) Permission is given by the pastor of the parish of which you are a registered and active member.
2) There is a written confirmation that you have a priest or deacon to officiate at your wedding.
3) All the preparations, paperwork, etc. be taken care of by your parish priest or the priest or deacon who will be officiating at your wedding.
4) There are no situations or circumstances that would impede the proper and valid celebration of marriage.
5) There will be an agreement stating that those to be married agree to follow our established guidelines and procedures for weddings, including music, number of witnesses (only 2), processions, etc.     
We discourage those who wish to officially register in the parish only for the purpose of having their wedding here.  This is not in keeping with the spirit of the mutual commitment spoken about above.  We encourage all to join the parishes in the neighborhoods in which they live.

PARISH REGISTRATION: For those who have recently moved into the neighborhood or for those who have not been attending Mass regularly, we have a three month period of initial commitment and “getting to know each other” before we set a firm date for the wedding. During this time, it is important to participate in the Sunday Liturgy on a weekly basis.  We ask all members of the parish to use the collection envelopes to help support the Faith Community.  This gives us an opportunity to have a record of one’s participation in the liturgies.  This can be helpful later on when and if one needs a letter in order to serve as a godparent or sponsor.

INITIAL CONTACT: Please be sure to contact us as early as possible. You cannot call us too soon. The Archdiocese of Baltimore calls upon us to begin marriage preparation at least six months before the wedding date–one year prior to the desired date is preferred. Please call the parish office to obtain a hard copy of our Wedding Guidelines. After reading and accepting the guidelines, call the parish office to set up an appointment.  Please do not finalize any plans with reception halls until the date and the time of your wedding is set with the parish.

• Couples must agree to all the parish wedding procedures and guidelines and the proper liturgical norms for the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage.
• Weddings are normally scheduled on Saturdays. The latest that a Saturday wedding can be scheduled is 2:30 PM.  Because of our Mass schedule, it is not possible to have evening weddings on Saturday.  Friday evenings are available for weddings.
• A pre-nuptial questionnaire will be completed by the couple with the priest.  Catholics must obtain from their parishes of Baptism a recent copy of their baptismal certificate (no earlier than six months prior to the wedding).  The couple must also obtain a marriage license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City and drop it off at the parish office  two weeks prior to the wedding date.  The stipend (offering) for the church should be dropped off also at this time.
• If one of the parties is not Catholic, special permission is needed from the Archdiocese.  The basic requirement for this permission is that the Catholic party be willing to sign a document that promises that he or she will remain a Catholic and that the children will be raised as Catholics.
• The couple is required to participate in the Archdiocesan “Pre-Cana” program.  Information concerning the different options can be obtained from the parish office.  It is important to register early for the programs since they fill up very quickly.
• No later than two weeks after your wedding date has been set, it is necessary to contact Mrs. Bernadette Vece, our Pastoral Assistant and Director of Liturgy and Music to schedule an appointment with her in order to make arrangements for music. No arrangements for types of music, vocalists, or other musicians are to be made before contacting Mrs. Vece, who is also the parish’s vocalist and organist.  It is our policy to insure that music selected is appropriate for sacred liturgy.  The final decisions regarding the  music are at the sole discretion of the Music Director.  All fees for music are set by and payable directly to the musicians/vocalists. It is the church’s policy that parish musicians and vocalists should play and sing at all weddings, if available.  Other musicians and vocalists may be included only with the church’s knowledge and approval. Fees should be discussed directly with the music ministers.
• Couples should also contact Mrs. Bernadette Vece concerning the floral decorations for the church.  The parish has a standing working relationship with O’Donnell Florist (410-732-0020).  The parish also has various pew floral arrangements which can be rented. However, couples are free to order from the florist of their choosing. Pew bows can be attached only with elastic or ribbon–no metal or plastic clips.  The use of a unity candle is optional and should be purchased by the couple.  Runners for the aisle are not permitted.
• Contact the parish’s wedding coordinator, Mrs. Dorothy Ecke (410-285-5445) as soon as your date and time are scheduled.  The fee for the coordinator ($100) should be given directly to the coordinator at the time of the rehearsal.  Couples must designate a family member to work along with the parish wedding coordinator on the day of rehearsal and wedding.
• Wedding rehearsals are normally scheduled for the evening before at 6:00 PM.  Punctuality is essential.  Rehearsal times and the time that the church will be opened for flower deliveries, photographer, etc. are to be arranged with the wedding coordinator.
• For those who have been officially registered in the Faith Community and regularly attending and contributing (using the church envelopes) for at least six months prior to the initial contact, the stipend (offering) for the church is $300.  For all others, it is $750.  The offering for the church (and marriage license) should be brought to the parish office two weeks before the ceremony.
• Pictures or video may be taken during the wedding service. Have your photographer speak with the celebrant before the ceremony. Twenty minutes is allowed for pictures at the conclusion of your ceremony.  During this time it is important to maintain a respectful spirit in the church.  To participate in the procession, children should be at least seven years old. Because of time constraints,  receiving lines are not permitted.
• Throwing of rice, birdseed, etc., is not permitted.  Care should be taken to leave the church in order since our Saturday Vigil Mass usually follows immediately after.
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