THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Catechism of the Catholic Church - 1213

Our Catholic Church teaches us that  Holy Baptism forms the basis of our whole Christian life. It is the entrance to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),and the door which gives access to all of the  other sacraments. Through our Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ,and His Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."

Useful Information

The Sacrament of Baptism is available for all children, however if your child is five years old or over, preparation for your child is needed.  In these cases it might be better to wait until your child is in Year 3 when they will be able to join in the parish preparation for First Holy Communion and be baptised as part of this.

If your child is below the age of five, please attend one of our weekend Masses and introduce yourself to Fr Innaiah or Fr John.  Let them know you are seeking baptism for your children and they will advise further.

We require at least one parent to be a Catholic, likewise with Godparents.

Any queries, please contact the parish office.

Catechism of the Catholic Church - 1324 

The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life." "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch."

Useful Information

Our parish programme to prepare children, usually who are in Year 3 at school, for receiving Holy Communion and Reconciliation takes place each  year.  The monthly sessions for children and parents will take place in St Paul’s School.  Application forms and dates will be confirmed at the meeting on Tuesday 5th of December at 1800, St Paul’s School.

Parents play the key role in preparing their children for First Communion led by a team of catechists.

If you would like to know more please contact Father Joe McNerney, 

Chatechism of the Catholic Church - 1316

The apostles, in fulfillment of Christ's will, imparted to the newly baptized by the laying on of hands the gift of the Holy Spirit. This completed the grace of Baptism. And for this reason in the Letter to the Hebrews the doctrine concerning Baptism and the laying on of hands is listed among the fundemental first elements of Christian instruction. The laying of hands is recognized by the Catholic Church tradition as the origin of our sacrament of Confirmation, which in a certain way perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the Church.

Catechism of the Catholic Church - 

1422

The Catholic Church teaching is that "Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion."

Catechism of the Catholic Church - 1602 

Sacred Scripture begins with the creation of man and woman in the image and likeness of God and concludes with a vision of "the wedding-feast of the Lamb. Scripture speaks throughout of marriage and its "mystery," its institution and the meaning God has given it, its origin and its end, its various realizations throughout the history of salvation, the difficulties arising from sin and its renewal "in the Lord" in the New Covenant of Christ and the Church.

Chatechism of the Catholic Church - 1602

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.

Catechism of the Catholic Church - 1499

 "By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ."