Sacraments
The purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify men, to build up the Body of Christ and, finally, to give worship to God. In the sacraments it is Christ himself who is at work: it is he who baptizes, he who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacrament signifies.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Baptism
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, and are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Those parents who would like their children to be baptised should make an appointment with the parish priest.
Reconciliation
Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offence 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 labours for their conversion.
Cathechism of the Catholic Church
The sacrament of reconciliation is celebrated regularly in the parish (see parish newsletter for details) and by appointment with the parish priest.
First Holy Communion
They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Day by day, attending the temple together and breaking and bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts.
Acts 2:42,46
The first Holy Communion preparation programme for children of 7 years+ will commence in January 2009.
Saturday mornings 9 - 10 a.m. dates as follows
- January : 17th, 24th, 31st
- February : 7th, 28th
- March : 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
- April : 25th
- May : 9th
The First Holy Communion Mass will be on SUNDAY 17th MAY at St Monica's at 10.00 a.m.
For more information contact the parish priest, Fr Martin or Adele Angel or Jean Darlington.
Confirmation
By the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.
Lumen Gentium
Confirmations for young men and women (age 14+) take place in our parish . For more details please contact the parish priest Fr Martin or Adele Angel.
Marriage
The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Those couples who are interested in getting married should make an appointment with the parish priest at least six months before their proposed marriage.
Anointing of the sick
So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.
Mk 6:12-13
Those people who would like to receive this sacrament should contact the parish priest. If a person is going to hospital and would like to receive this sacrament it is important that they notify the parish priest.
Holy Orders
God the Father,
From the beginning,
You chose the descendants of Abraham to be your holy nation.
You established rulers and priests,
And did not leave your sanctuary without ministers to serve you.
Prayer of Consecration
If you are interested in the priesthood or the religious life then please feel free to speak to Fr Martin or Fr Joseph Silver, the diocesan vocations director on 01268 553425 or Email:bdvocations@aol.com
Mass Intentions
From the beginning the Church has honoured the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
If you would like a Mass said for one of your dead or for any other intention — please fill in a Mass Intention envelope with financial stipend to support your parish priest and give to Fr Martin. If you want a Mass said on a particular day — especially on a Sunday — please make sure that Fr Martin receives the request in good time to avoid disappointment.
