“The Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is entrusted to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.” CCC 1116.

We speak in terms of having 7 sacraments:

The Rites of Christian Initiation.

These include the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
The first Rite of initiation into the church is through Baptism.
The second Rite occurs on the day of first Eucharist or Communion.
Confirmation represents the third Sacrament of Initiation.

The Sacrament of Baptism.

Baptism is a Sacrament of Welcome. It welcomes the child into the family of faith and names him/her as a Child of God.
Faith Friends, with the baptism team, help in welcoming the child into the family of faith. They provide an opportunity for the following:-

• Parents to get a better understanding of the liturgy involved.
• space for parents to explore their own faith.
• an opportunity to highlight the central role of the wider faith community in the life of the new Christian.

Adults can also be initiated into the community, i.e. to be full, active members of the parish community through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). This is best done when a group comes together within the parish to share their faith journey with the person seeking baptism.

How to Book a Baptism

A minimum of four weeks notice is required.

Initial bookings can be made between 10am and 1pm Monday to Friday at the Parish Office. We can't accept bookings by telephone.

The Baptism Team help Parents and God Parents to prepare for Baptism  - see Baptism Faith Friends for more information.

The Eucharist.

The Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion, is the second part of the initiation of the person into the church. It is the source and summit of Christian Life, being a commemoration of the Last Supper.   In the Blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself. Children normally make their First Communion around the age of 8 years.

Much of a child's preparation for First Communion is assisted by the school they are attending, and also by members of a team (usually made up of parents of the current year's First Communion children), who follow the Do This In Memory Of Me programme.

For those that are unable to receive the host, a chalice is offered at the side altar - please let us know at the sacristy if you you wish to receive this, so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Also known as the sacrament of Confession, allows us to be reconciled with God and the community through acknowledging and confessing our sins. Individual confession and absolution that comes with it allows us to make amends for our misdeeds and gives us the grace to do better in the future. It involves confessing our sins to the priest, who acts as god’s representative. When we sin we offend against the community and god. Many of our sins may not be serious but serious or mortal sin can only be forgiven in the context of the sacrament of reconciliation.

See Mass Times for details of when confessions are heard.

The Sacrament of Confirmation.

The Sacrament of Confirmation confers a character. By it the baptised continue their path of Christian initiation. They are enriched with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and are more closely linked to the Church. They are made strong and more firmly obliged by word and deed to witness to Christ and to spread and defend the faith. The Code of Canon Law: canon 879

The Second Vatican Council prepared new guidelines for the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Confirmation is now seen in terms of initiation and generally takes place within the Eucharist. Before being confirmed, candidates renew their Baptismal Promises, are next confirmed and then celebrate and receive the Eucharist. Thereby they enact again the traditional initiation sequence of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The new rites of Confirmation were introduced in 1971.

At Baptism the child begins his journey of faith. The community is present in the form of family and friends and the lit baptismal candle symbolises the flame of faith alive in our hearts.

At Confirmation the child takes on responsibility for his own faith. At the Service of Light the candle is again lit and handed from parent to child, thus symbolising the handing on of faith.

The Sacrament of Confirmation takes place during the celebration of the Eucharist. The newly confirmed are welcomed as full members of the church by the parish community in the form of family, teachers and friends, all of whom have shared in the passing on of the faith. The laying on of hands by the Bishop or Priest symbolises the link with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles at Pentecost. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit confirm us as Children of God and brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.

The Sacrament of Marriage

Through the Sacrament of Matrimony man and woman are joined together as one. They form a solemn covenant to live together helping each other in good times and bad, in sickness and health till the end of their days. The sacrament gives grace to the couple to live together and to raise their children in the love and sight of God.

What to do if you want to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage in St Mary's

Those residing in St. Mary’s Parish should contact one of the Priests at least three months before the proposed date. He will check if the Church is free on the date you require and give you details of other arrangements which have to be made. Those not presently living in this parish should first approach a Priest at their own Parish and check that he is willing to celebrate the wedding and complete the pre-nuptial enquiry papers for both of you. Please note that there is also a civil requirement to give a period of notice to the registrar.

For Letters of Freedom please contact a Priest of the Parish.

Other useful information on Premarriage Courses and other support, see please contact Accord

Holy Orders.

Through this sacrament men can be ordained as Deacon, Priest or Bishop. Any baptised male can be ordained once found to be suitable. The Permanent Diaconate is again being introduced to the Church as a means of allowing married men to fulfil the office of Deacon without being ordained priest. This follows the custom of the early church when the Apostles appointed Deacons to assist them in their ministry. The early Church also allowed women to be appointed as Deacons. Perhaps this may be reintroduced into the modern church of today.

Anointing of the Sick.

This sacrament, like Confession and Eucharist, can be received many times. The Anointing of the Sick is not just for those who are at the point of death. It can be given to all who are ill. It can also be given to those in danger of death from sickness or old age. It can only be given by priests and bishops.

For more information on Anointing the Sick, please contact one of the Parish Team

Also, if any sick or housebound parishioners would like to receive communion on a Sunday, we would be pleased to arrange for a Eurcharist Minister to call, please Contact the Parish Office