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SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME
Baptism
Presently, any parents enquiring about having
their child baptised are asked to see Fr Peter. This meeting is
very important especially in the case of parents who may not be
currently attending Mass and /or are not married. In such cases,
Fr Peter firmly, yet sensitively reminds the Catholic parent in
particular on the Church's teaching on marriage and Sunday Mass
attendance and the fact that they will make a profession of faith
on behalf of the child in the Baptism service. This profession
of faith amounts to an acceptance of all the Catholic Church teaches,
including of course, on marriage and attendance at Mass. As long
as the parent(s) do not exclude trying their best to one day practicing
the faith they will profess at the Baptism, then the Baptism can
proceed normally. A date is then set by mutual agreement. Various
particulars are then recorded for the purpose of the Baptismal register. A
"Baptism rehearsal" occurs a few days before the Baptism and is
a way of deepening the parents' awareness of the spiritual significance
of the sacrament. Baptisms normally occur on a Sunday at 12 noon.
Sometimes two or more families with their children celebrate the
sacrament together because of the limited number of Sundays in the
year. There are plans in the future to require all families to
attend one or two sessions of a pre-baptismal course in conjunction
with neighbouring parishes - watch this space!
Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
Meetings are held for the parents of the
children of the Parish preparing for these Sacrament.
The children themselves have a series of sessions to develop and
build on the religious instruction they receive in school as they
reach the age when they begin to receive these Sacraments on a regular
basis.
Confirmation
Our young people are prepared over a period
of a few weeks prior to the Bishop's visit.
Marriage Preparation
The Church requires that normally a couple
give 6 months notice of an intended wedding and attend at least
4 pre-nuptial sessions. At the moment, Fr Peter takes these sessions,
one of which includes establishing that the couple are fully aware
of the Catholic Church's teaching about marriage and recording particulars
for the purposes of the Church and civil registers. The couple
are invited to explore the rich significance of the sacrament they
will celebrate. This occurs through scripture reflection and open
discussion; through focussing on the readings, hymns and prayers
they may want at their wedding; through moments of prayer with Fr
Peter. The couple are also urged to spend time praying through
in their own time any scripture they have chosen. The Catholic
partner is urged to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation in
preparation to receive the life-changing sacrament of marriage. The
parish is asked (with the couple's consent) to pray for them in
their time of preparation.
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