THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
IN OUR PARISH

The sacraments are rooted in the life of Christ and the tradition of the early Church.  They make Christ's presence real in the world in a very particular way at a particular time.  While they are gifts from God, they need a response from those who receive them.  People can easily get caught up in the social aspect that surrounds the celebration of some sacraments.  For this reason, our parish puts great emphasis on preparation for the sacraments.  

Baptism

Baptism is administered on Sundays at 12 noon by appointment only.  Registration forms may be collected in the sacristy after Mass and preparation meetings are arranged as the need arises.  Later the newly baptised and their parents are part of a short welcoming ceremony during Sunday Mass to remind parishioners that they too have a responsibility for new members.   

First Communion

In the words of the Second Vatican Council, the Eucharist is the "source and summit of the Christian Life" First Communion is celebrated with children who are 8 years or over and who have successfully completed their preparation with the help of priest, teachers, catechists and parents.  An integral part of the preparation includes the child accompanying the parent in the queue for Communion each Sunday to receive a blessing and thereby grow familiar with the sacrament and all that surrounds it.  This begins in September and First Communion Day is in June.   

Confirmation    

Confirmation completes and strengthens the grace given at Baptism.  It marks the Christian as a follower of Christ and a full member of the Church.  The parish offers a comprehensive preparation programme to the 13 years olds and over who request this sacrament.  The sacrament is administered by the Bishop in June each year.  

Marriage

The sacrament of Matrimony celebrates a couple's commitment to share their entire life together and to show the love of God to each other, to their children and to others through their relationship.  Preparation is arranged within the parish. 

Anointing of the Sick   

Celebrates our confidence in God's healing presence (Letter of St James 5:14-15)  It recalls the many healing miracles in the gospels and has a communal dimension too.  This sacrament is administered in May each year to members of our parish community who through declining years, ill-health or other handicaps have been touched by the Cross of Christ. 

Journey in Faith Programme 

This annual series of discussions and questions covering important aspects of the Catholic Faith is for people who want to know more about the Catholic Church or who wish to become Catholic.  It is not a new concept.  It was the way by which people came into the Church in the first centuries.  These friendly non-academic sessions begin in the Parish Centre (back of church) on Monday, 6th October 2008 from 7.45 pm – 8.45 pm.    

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THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH WHAT THE CHURCH SAYS
  

This section of the parish website is dedicated to the various sacraments including; baptism, confession, confirmation, holy communion, marriage and anointing of the sick.

1210 Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life:¹ they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life.

1211 Following this analogy, the first chapter will expound the three sacraments of Christian initiation; the second, the sacraments of healing; and the third, the sacraments at the service of communion and the mission of the faithful. This order, while not the only one possible, does allow one to see that the sacraments form an organic whole in which each particular sacrament has its own vital place. In this organic whole, the Eucharist occupies a unique place as the "Sacrament of sacraments": "all the other sacraments are ordered to it as to their end."²