Sacraments
Introduction
There are many things that characterise a Catholic community but one of the most obvious is the celebration of the Sacraments.
The Church teaches that there are seven sacraments to provide for different eventualities in our personal lives. They are important for us as individuals and as a community of believers. They are Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders.
It is through the sacraments that we receive the help we need to be faithful disciples of Jesus, indeed it is through them that we maintain a direct contact with the Lord whose life and love is present in them for us.
It is the duty of the Bishop and Priests to ensure that the Sacraments are prepared for carefully and celebrated worthily. Lay Catechists assist in this ministry.
Baptism
Parents who wish their child(ren) to be Baptised should first make contact with our Parish Secretary during Office Hours (Mon-Fri 1.00-5.00pm) to enrol on the next available Preparation Course. There are Courses several times in each calendar year. These take place in the Parish Meeting Room after the conclusion of 9.00am Sunday Mass and are conducted by parish Catechists. Each Course has four meetings in which participants explore the meaning of the Sacrament and give consideration to the commitment being undertaken on behalf of the children by their parents and Godparents. Parents who are expecting a child are welcome to join the preparation programme and may indeed find it easier to do so before their child has been born. Godparents are also welcome to participate when circumstances permit. Before a priest may Baptise a child he must be assured that the parents are willing and able to bring the child up in the knowledge and practice of the Catholic faith.
Sunday is the day on which all Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus and the opportunity the Lord gives us to share in his new life and so Baptisms are normally celebrated on this day of the week. In the parish of Holy Name this is usually shortly after the conclusion of the 11.00am Mass. If the parents wish, Baptism can be celebrated actually within a Sunday Mass but this option must be fully discussed with the priest. The Sacrament is never celebrated during the season of Lent. Any family who are living outside this parish and who wish to present a child for baptism must obtain the written permission of their own parish priest. Children over the age of 7 years must take part in an appropriate course of preparation themselves, as must all adults.
Reconciliation and Eucharist
The preparation of children for these Sacraments is a collaborative effort of home, school and parish.
In the autumn of each year an invitation will be made to parents in attendance at church to apply for a place for their child on the forthcoming Programme. Arrangements will subsequently be made for all applicant families to meet personally with the priest to consider the requirements of due preparation.
At school the candidates will receive a general religious education that includes information about the Sacraments in the life of the Church. School Staff also participate in some events of the Preparation Programme and the actual Celebration of the Sacraments.
The Preparation Course takes place in the parish and runs over several months starting in December. Meetings are held weekly during term time, out of school hours, and are led by parish Catechists. At least one parent is expected to accompany their child to each of these sessions.
There are also activities to be undertaken at home by each family.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is usually celebrated during the season of Lent, and First Communions at Sunday Masses in the period after Easter. The programme concludes with devotional processions in honour of our Blessed Lady in May, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus (in June), at which certificates are presented.
Confirmation
Adults are prepared for this Sacrament by participation in the RCIA programme (see below*).
In this Deanery young people who are in school year 10 or older and who wish to be prepared for this Sacrament are invited to make personal application in writing to the Parish Priest stating their reasons. They must have been Baptised and should be regularly participant in the celebration of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.
The commencement date of the Preparation Course is dependent upon the date set by the Bishop for the actual Confirmation. It will comprise at least six weekly meetings and a short Retreat. Candidates must attend all the sessions and show evidence of the earnestness of their disposition for them to be presented for Confirmation.
The location of the Celebration of the Sacrament moves around the parishes of the Deanery year by year. It will usually take place in the period after Easter and around the Feast of Pentecost.
*RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the title given to the process of welcoming adults into the community life of the Catholic Church. It takes place over a period of months during which candidates have the opportunity to learn about and experience Catholicism. There are several stages in this process, marked by special Celebrations or ceremonial. Customarily candidates are received into communion with the Church during the Easter Vigil.
There is an RCIA programme conducted annually at St Anne’s Cathedral, and arrangements appropriate to local demand are also put in place each year in the parish of Holy Name. Information about these can be obtained from the Parish Priest.
Matrimony
Couples seeking to marry within the Catholic Church must approach the Parish Priest in person and privately. Arrangements will not normally be put in place via a third party. This contact should be made at least six months in advance of the proposed date for marriage.
After an initial meeting to address various practicalities of the marriage plans, every couple will be expected to undertake a period of preparation - preferably by participation with others in a ‘Pre-marriage Course’. These Courses are provided annually at St Anne’s Cathedral and also elsewhere in the Diocese (and in other dioceses) and are led by those with experience of married life and parenthood. The Course enables each couple to give earnest consideration to and prepare for the challenges of the married state.
The Catholic Church expects that Catholic parties will have received the Sacrament of Confirmation before the marriage takes place as well as to be regularly availing of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.
Marriages are not usually celebrated during the season of Lent.
Each couple must inform the Civil Authority (Registrar) of their intention to marry at least 3 months in advance and obtain the required documentation to enable the priest legally to conduct and to Register the marriage at Holy Name church.
Holy Orders
This is the Sacrament whereby Catholic men are designated for the priesthood and receive the pledge of the Holy Spirit to enable them to undertake this sacred ministry. There is a great need for more priests to serve the People of God in our Diocese and men who are already involved in the life of the Church and are free to undertake this commitment should seek to discern if God is calling them to this responsibility. This discernment is done through prayer and through conversation with an experienced priest of good standing. Contact should also be made with the Diocesan Vocations Director whose details can be found in the Diocesan Directory or provided by the Parish Priest.
Anointing of the Sick
Once associated with the proximity of death this Sacrament is now recommended to all who seek spiritual strength in any sickness or infirmity. Carers who think that the person in their charge may benefit are encouraged to contact the Parish Priest after consulting the sick person where this is possible. Eucharistic Ministers who visit the sick may suggest that the Priest is invited to confer this Sacrament and can be asked to convey to the Priest a request for the Sacrament.
Once a year the Sacrament of Anointing is celebrated communally in Holy Name church, the infirm being brought by volunteers and anointed during a special Mass for the Sick that is followed by a simple reception in the Parish Hall. Further inquiries about this event may be made to the Parish Secretary, or to any member of the SVP, as well as to the Parish Priest.
