Baptism
All
the sacraments are celebrations of God's love for us.
In Baptism we are freed from sin and are reborn as children
of God. We become members of the Church and sharers in
the mission to make Christ known to all.
Through baptism we become members of the Church, the
family of God. Our parish community welcomes each child
and supports the parents (and godparents) in their
responsibility as the first teachers of their child
in the ways of the faith. As the child grows older,
the community helps parents to prepare them to celebrate
the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
The Godparents help the parents in living their example
of faith, and they join with parents in making the
act of faith on behalf of the child.
It is now the practice that parents who wish their child to be baptised attend a preparation course which takes place at 7.45 pm over two consecutive Tuesday evenings. The 2017 programme can be downloaded by clicking here.
Celebrations of Baptism take place on the second Sunday of the month at 1.30 pm and, if numbers warrant it, a second celebration will take place at 2.45 pm. Occasionally, by prior agreement with the Parish Priest, a celebration of Baptism may take place at a Sunday Mass.
For more details pick up a booklet on “Infant Baptism” from the rack just outside the parish office in the gathering area of the Church. Then complete and return the form to the parish office. If you need any further information, please ring John Sexton on 01483 721569.
You may download the Booklet in Adobe (pdf) format by clicking here. (Remember to also download a programme above)
PDF format can be read using Adobe Acrobat.
If you do not already have Acrobat installed,
please click on the following link.
Reconciliation
In the sacrament of Reconciliation
God's love for us is experienced through the gift of
his forgiveness of our sins. By his grace we are renewed
and strengthened in our commitment to live as Christ
has taught us.
The sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the sacraments
of healing celebrated by the Church. This calls to
mind the ministry of Jesus where healing miracles
are often accompanied by the forgiveness of sins.
Sin offends God, who is love, and damages both our
own human dignity as children of God, and our relationships
with those around us. Through the confession and
forgiveness of sins we are reconciled to God and
to the community of the Church, and we are renewed
in our striving to live faithfully the Christian
life. Reconciliation is thus a personal encounter
in humility with the love and mercy of God, admitting
our weaknesses but trusting in the Lord's help in
order to overcome them.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
is normally available on Saturdays between 10.45am
- 11.30am &
after 6.00pm Mass (but you should check the Newsletter for
any changes). If you would like to celebrate the sacrament
at other times, please ring one of the priests (01483
760652) or see details of our parish celebrations (four
times per year) in the newsletter.
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The
Eucharist
In the Eucharist, the heart
of the Church's life, the Church shares in the sacrifice
of praise and thanksgiving made by Christ to the Father
on the cross. When we receive Holy Communion, we receive
the body and blood of Christ, who is really and truly
present under the forms of bread and wine. Such communion
increases our love for God. It also strengthens the
unity of the Church, also called the Body of Christ.
We have all heard the saying, "Faith is caught,
not taught!"
This tries to convey the idea that it is through
our lifestyle and attitude towards faith that our
children's faith will develop and grow.
THIS SECTION IS BEING REVISED. In the meantime, please
call the Parish Office (01483 760652) for more information.
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Confirmation
In this sacrament, the grace
first received in baptism is perfected. By the gift
of the Holy Spirit, we are united more closely to Christ
and our relationship with the Father as adopted sons
is strengthened. As our connection with the Church
is increased, so is our responsibility to take part
in her mission deepened - by our words and deeds we
bear witness to the Christian faith.
All those who have been baptised are encouraged to
celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation, since it
completes the initiation process begun in baptism,
and of which the apex is the celebration of the Eucharist.
How does someone decide that they want to be confirmed?
By Confirmation a person declares their faith openly
in the middle of the community and commits, with
the help of the Holy Spirit, to live out that faith
every day.
Preparation to receive the sacrament involves various
meetings and a weekend retreat. The aim is to deepen
the candidates personal relationship with Jesus and
the Holy Spirit and to awaken in them a sense of
belonging to the Church in whose life they are to
take an active part.
Those who are 14 years of age on the 1st September
(Year 10) are invited to prepare by joining the parish
programme. Contact Mary Cooper at the Parish Office (01483 760652) for
more details.
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Marriage
The sacrament of marriage
mirrors the love of Christ for the Church and strengthens
Christian husband and wife in their commitment to each
other. By nature marriage is for the good of the couple
and for the procreation and education of children.
In both of these aspects, Christ's love for the Church
enriches the gift of the spouses to each other.
Marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman,
where love, fruitful, faithful, and for life, is
both promised and received. The family is known as
the 'domestic Church' because it is here that children
will first experience the faith. In a community of
love and prayer, they can thus grow in their own
faith, and in love of God and neighbour.
Those
wishing to be married in the Church are invited to contact
the Parish Office (01483 760652) at least six months before
the proposed wedding date. A short preparation course is
led by married couples from within the parish. More details
can be obtained from Dominique and Steven Woodfield (01483
828560).
Anointing of the Sick
In this sacrament the healing power of
God's love is experienced by those who are seriously ill. They
receive peace and strength to bear the burden of their illness,
and courage to unite themselves with the sufferings of Christ for
the good of the whole Church. Together with this healing of soul,
God sometimes grants healing of body if this be his will. As part
of the healing, the sick person also receives forgiveness of their
sins.
Christ sent the apostles out to preach the Good News and to heal,
continuing the ministry of Jesus himself. When the Church celebrates
this sacrament, the healing touch of Christ is brought to the
aid of those who suffer. This sacrament is rightly celebrated
by anyone who suffers a serious illness, not only by those who
are near to death. It may be repeated each time a person falls
ill, or if their illness worsens. Near to death, it may be accompanied
by the giving of Holy Communion as food for the final journey
towards God.
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