The Sacraments

The usual way in which the celebration of the sacraments is approached is as follows:

Baptism

Parents of children who are to be baptised are asked to attend a course of preparation which meets for three evenings over three weeks. Baptisms then take place at 12 noon on the First and Third Sundays of the month.

Click here for details of the Baptism Programme

Confirmation

Confirmation takes place in the parish every year. Young adults who are to be confirmed are asked to attend a weekly confirmation preparation programme which takes place over a year. Candidates should be at least 12 years of age and in the 2nd year of secondary school (yr8). Each candidate should have a sponsor who must be a confirmed and practising Catholic; it is desirable that one's baptismal godparent also serve as sponsor for confirmation, this expresses more clearly the relationship between baptism and confirmation, nonetheless, the choice of a special sponsor is not excluded.

Click here for details of this year's schedule for confirmation.

Eucharist

Children who attend Our Lady's Primary School are prepared for their First Holy Communion in the school. Other children meet on a Saturday morning for preparation.
We have a First Holy Communion Mass every year. The Blessed Sacrament Procession is usually on the next day.

Click here for details of this year's First Holy Communion arrangements.

Fairly obviously any Catholic, who is not in a state of grave sin, is invited to receive Holy Communion at any celebration of the Mass. For those who are ill and/or housebound we have a team of Eucharistic Ministers, who, along with the priests, regularly take Holy Communion to anybody who needs it.

Reconciliation (Confession)

This sacrament is celebrated between 10.30am and 11.30am, and 4.30pm and 5.30pm every Saturday. It is also celebrated before the 9.30am Sunday Mass, and "on call". For those who are unable to come to the Church the Priests will hear confessions in the home. Just give us a call and let us know you want to take advantage of this sacrament. We also have penitential services in Advent and Lent where outside Priests are available to hear individual confessions.

Sacrament of the Sick / Anointing / Extreme Unction

We have a regular Mass of Anointing every year around the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. We also anoint "on call". If you would like one of the Priests to anoint you please let us know. We are also on call 24 hours a day to help those who are dying, and their friends and families.

Matrimony

If you wish to get married please try and give us at least one year's notice. We absolutely must have at least six full months notice. Couples attend a session of talks with one of the priests or deacon. We celebrate marriages whenever people want, although usually on Saturdays. We try and avoid two weddings on the same day.

Holy Orders

We don't have nearly enough ordinations to the Priesthood and diaconate in this parish. Why don't you change that?
See the past events page for a picture of Fr Philip Glandfield who was ordained at St. George's Cathedral in September 2003.