Baptism of Infants
To find out more about the process of preparing for the baptism of
an infant, and about the meaning of Baptism, expectant parents or
parents/guardians of infants should make themselves known to the
Parish Priest after the Sunday Mass they habitually attend, or
should be in touch to arrange to meet to talk about what it means to
practise the faith.
In normal circumstances parents/guardians are required by church
law to come to a formal course of preparation before an infant is
baptised.
Baptism of Adults & Adult Initiation in the Catholic Church
The path to the Sacraments of Initiation as an adult depends on the circumstances of the individual. Please be in touch with the Parish Priest who will gladly guide you in this journey of faith.
The “Rite of Catholic Initiation of Adults” or “RCIA” is a process for those who wish to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist as adults, and become full members of the Catholic Church. They may have been baptised in the Catholic faith as an infant but not received the other Sacraments of Initiation. They may have been baptised in a non-Catholic ecclesial community, or may be completely new to the faith.
Confirmation for Young People
Young people in Year 9 or above at school will be invited at Sunday
Mass at an appropriate time in the year to express their interest in
coming to Confirmation.
As with all sacraments of initiation it is vital that a young person already has the habit
of Sunday Mass and chooses this way of life for him or herself. Apart from this there
is no set age for Confirmation. A young person comes to the sacrament not at a
particular age but when he or she is ready to do so.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is a continuance of what has begun at our Baptism:
a continuance of the developing awareness of the reality of faith and the presence of
the Holy Spirit in our lives. At our Baptism faith was conceived; we became part of
Christ’s Body, part of his Church. The Sacrament of Confirmation builds on these
graces with the fulness of the Holy Spirit.
First Holy Communion & Reconciliation
Information about the process of preparing children for the
sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion is given in
Church at the relevant time.
It is essential that habitual Sunday Mass attendance is already the norm for a family
as preparing for these sacraments can only take place in an environment of faith and
with the support of the parish community. At present children should be in Year 3 at
school, or older, before they can enrol in preparation, so relevant information would
be that given at Sunday Mass whilst a child is in Year 2 or above. There is no age
requirement other than that. As with all the sacraments, we come to them when we
are ready, not at a particular age.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, or Penance
The regular times that Reconciliation (Confession) is available are
listed on the Home Page of this website. The Parish Priest will
always try to find other times according to need and convenience.
A regular use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is vital to the spiritual wellbeing of
any Catholic. Help and guidance will always be given to anyone who has been away
from sacrament for any reason. Just ask.
Holy Matrimony
The process of preparation for marriage depends on the individual
circumstances of the couple and your Parish Priest will guide you
in this.
Those planning to marry, either in this parish or elsewhere, are
asked by the bishops to be in touch with their Parish Priest at least
six months before the proposed wedding date, and it is wise to do
this at the earliest possible occasion. The best time to do this is
after the Sunday Mass you usually attend.
The Sacrament of the Sick
The Sacrament of the Sick, administered through Reconciliation,
prayer and anointing with Holy Oil, can be celebrated at any
convenient time for a particular reason.
It is especially relevant before any hospitalisation or medical procedure or for those
living with on-going serious illness. All you need to do is ask. For those nearing the
end of life in this world or in a medical emergency this sacrament can have the character of what is often called “last rites.” It is good to celebrate the sacrament in
these circumstances at the earliest possible time to help a soul to prepare for death.
Ordination and Vocations to Religious Life
The Parish clergy are always ready to answer questions and give advice about vocation.
God is always calling his people to particular vocations. Young men, and possibly those not quite so young, who feel that God may be calling them to be priests in the service of the Church should speak with the Parish Priest in order to explore this further. There is information on the Westminster Diocesan Website about the Vocations team. The same is true for young men and women who may feel a call to follow the Lord in some form of the Religious Life. Information about particular ways of life and of opportunities to explore vocation are advertised on the church noticeboard and at Mass.