Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), 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." (Cathechism of the Catholic Church, 1213)

Through Baptism, the human person is washed clean of original sin and restored to the image and likeness of God. 

At St. Bart's, baptisms are arranged through an appointment with a priest. Call the Parish Office at 301-229-7933, or email [email protected] for more information.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred on candidates from our parish 8th grade* Confirmation preparation class by a bishop of the diocese.

Please call the Office of Religious Education at 301-229-3431 for additional information about confirmation for 8th graders at St. Bartholomew's, or email the Director of Religious Education, Ms. Cathy Mills, [email protected]

*The parish also offers confirmation preparation for candidates in high school. Please email Mrs. Maria Archer, Director of the Youth Ministry, [email protected], for registration information.

First Holy Communion is the first Sunday in May for children in 2nd grade and above who have been prepared to receive the sacrament.  

For more information, contact the Director of Religious Education, Ms. Cathy Mills, at 301-229-3431, [email protected]

Sick and homebound parishioners should nomally call the Parish Office at 301-229-7933 to arrange for a visit from an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, but this has currently been suspended during the pandemic.

Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
Sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church. For this reason conversion entails both God's forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. (Cathechism of the Catholic Church, 1440)

Men and women are in constant need of the Lord’s mercy, healing, and renewal. Come experience the peace that only Christ can give as he washes away your sins, guilt and regret. Receive the grace to “go and sin no more” (Jn 8:11). If you have not been to Confession in a long time, ask the priest to help you. Wondering how to begin? Try this examination of conscience.

Reconciliation is offered at St. Bartholomew's on Saturday after the 8AM Mass, and from 3:30-4:30PM or by appointment. On Sunday, Reconciliation is offered in Spanish from 5:15-5:45PM. During Lent, reconciliation is also available at additional times. Please check the St. Bart's calendar for dates and time.

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. (Lumen Gentium, 11)

The Sacrament of the Sick is offered to sick and elderly parishioners in homes, hospitals, and hospices by calling the Parish Office at 301-229-7933.

The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1661)

The St. Bartholomew parish community rejoices with couples called to the Vocation of Marriage and Family. To schedule a date for your marriage, kindly contact one of St. Bart's priests at least six months in advance by calling 301-229-7933. Couples should note that we ask for six month preparation time so that they can learn about and fully understand that, on their wedding day, they administer the sacrament to one another with the priest acting as a presider. As a public sign and affirmation of God’s grace, the couple offers to the community this sign that their vows are not merely a private contract between two people, but instead, the beginning of a new family of love modeled after the Holy Trinity.  

Here at St. Bart's, we have a wedding coordinator who can assist you in all the logistical details that go into making your wedding day a beautiful and spiritually enriching day for you and your spouse and for the entire community.  Please contact Mary Ann Chalfant at 301-299-3739 for more information.

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1536)

Men of the parish who feel called to the Sacrament of Holy Orders, either as priests or deacons, are encouraged to talk to the priests of the parish for guidance and counsel. DCPriest has additional resources and support for those who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood. For information about the permanent diaconate, visit here. Women of the parish can find resources on the consecrated life here.