SACRAMENTS

BAPTISM PREPARATION

First speak to one of the Fathers after a Sunday (or Saturday evening) Mass. An appointment will then be arranged to complete the Baptism application form and register for the Baptism Preparation programme.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Registration is before the summer holiday for the programme which begins after the start of the September school year for children in Year 3 and above.

Details are in the weekly Sunday Bulletin and announced at the end of Mass from May or June.

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION

The Bishop’s programme is for two years, and usually begins in January. Details are advertised in the Bulletin and at the end of Sunday Masses.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION

Requires at least one year’s notice. The Couple needs to meet with one of the Fathers to complete the Pre-Nuptial Enquiry form, gather the necessary documents, and attend a Marriage Preparation Programme. Please arrange an appointment.

HOLY COMMUNION FOR THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND

Can be brought at any hour of the day or night to those in danger of death. Just contact one of the Fathers urgently. Holy Communion is taken to those in hospital, or sick at home, on a weekly basis, and the Fathers visit all the sick and housebound during Advent and Lent (and at need, or on call) for the Sacraments of Confession and Anointing the Sick.

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION (or Penance, or Reconciliation)

One of the Fathers attends the Confessional daily – 20 minutes before each Mass; also on Wednesdays 11am – 12noon (and additionally on the first Wednesday of each month 7.30 – 8.30pm), and on Saturdays 11am – 12 noon, and 4 – 5pm.

Please help yourself to a leaflet from the back of the church to help you prepare your Examination of Conscience before Confession.

ANOINTING THE SICK

If you are seriously sick, or have a Catholic relative or friend who is, or are going into hospital for an operation which could be life-threatening, please contact one of the Fathers who will arrange to give you the Sacrament of Anointing the Sick, as St James instructs us in the Bible: Are there any who are sick among you? Let them send for the Priests of the Church, and the Priests will pray over them, Anointing them with Oil in the Name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up. And if they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them.