Formation

Baptism

For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Baptism transforms us. It marks our soul for life. In baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ’s call to holiness. In baptism we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. The Rite of Baptism involves immersing the candidate in water or pouring it over his/her head, while invoking the Name of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Baptism is a sacrament of faith, and the Church asks for a serious and loving commitment by the parents and godparents of a child to live the life of the Sacraments.

Please complete the form if you would like to receive this sacrament.

Confirmation

At Confirmation, the graces received at Baptism are sealed with the reception of the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit – wisdom, understanding, right judgement, courage, knowledge, reverence, awe and wonder. The words that Jesus shared with his disciples at Pentecost apply to each one of us at Confirmation; ‘you will receive the power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses (Acts 1:8).

At the Rite of Confirmation, the Bishop traces Oil of Holy Chrism on the candidate’s forehead in the shape of a cross. This recall’s Christ’s title as ‘the Anointed’. In Baptism, we receive an anointing which cleanses and strengthens us for the Christian lifem the anointing then received at Confirmation acts as a consecration – a setting apart for mission. (CCC1294).

Please complete the form if you would like to receive this sacrament.

Eucharist

The Eucharist is the ‘source and summit of the Christian life.’ The other sacraments – and, indeed, all other aspects of the Church’s life – 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. (CCC1324)

The Sacrament of the Eucharist, which we receive at mass, is the real physical and spiritual presence of Jesus Christ. As Catholics, we take Jesus at his word when he says ‘This is my body, which is given for you’ (Luke 22.19). Another way of putting it is that Catholics believe in the Real Presence. We believe that Jesus Christ is ‘present in a true, real and substantial manner: his Body and Blood, with his soul and his divinity (CCC1413).’ When we compare the man who walked the earth some two thousand years ago with the consecrated Bread and Wine, the only difference is the outward appearance, the underlying reality is Jesus Christ our Lord.

Following Baptism, children usually prepare for their First Holy Communion at the age of 7 (Year 3 at school). There are a series of sessions to help children – and parents – understand the importance of Mass and Holy Communion, so that this sacrament is received with full knowledge and understanding of the grace that is being bestowed.

Please complete the form if you would like to receive this sacrament.

Confession – Penance and Reconciliation

Reconciliation is the Sacrament in which we receive forgiveness from Christ. We repent and confess our sins, and are absolved of sin through the ministry of the priest, who acts as the person of Christ. The act of confessing itself bestows healing and a sense of release from the burden of sin. Not only does the Sacrament of Reconciliation free us from our sins but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. We are liberated to be forgivers. As St Francis of Assisi said, ‘It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.’

The Four Parts of the Sacrament of Reconciliation:

1. Contrition: a sincere sorrow for having offended God and a firm resolve not to repeat our sin.
2. Confession: confronting our sins in a profound way to God by speaking them aloud to the priest. You can prepare by making a Examination of Conscience, beforehand.
3. Penance: an important part of our healing is the penance (some sort of prayer or sacrifice) which the priest gives us in reparation for our sins.
4. Absolution: the priest speaks the words by which we are reconciled to God and absolved from our sins.

There ought to be no fear in Confession. It is an encounter with God’s loving mercy and rightly described as a sacrament of healing.

• Children prepare and receive this Sacrament as part of their First Holy Communion preparation.
• Confession (Reconciliation) is available for 30mins before each Mass.

Anointing of the Sick

This Sacrament is administered normally in situations of the immediate prospect of surgery, for those who are significant of age, or those in danger of death. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient; in this way, it is appropriate for both children and adults.

When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God’s will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.

Please contact Deacon Stephen if you, or someone you know, would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick.

Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. A covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.

The Sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life. (CCC 1661)

Generally twelve months notice is required for this Sacrament. There is also a requirement to engage in marriage preparation.

Please contact Deacon Stephen if you would like to receive this sacrament.

Sacrament of Holy Orders

Through Holy Orders, the Church hands down from century to century the ministry entrusted by Jesus Christ to his apostles, until the end of time. (CCC1536)

There are three orders of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, namely – Episcopate (Bishop), Presbyterate (Priest) and Diaconate (Deacon).

“Priestly ordination is administered as a means of salvation, not for an individual, but rather for the whole Church.” – St Thomas Aquinas

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is conferred when a man is ordained deacon or priest by a bishop. Through this ordination, Catholic priests share in Jesus’ priesthood and can administer all of the sacraments through his power. This is referred to as the priest acting ‘in persona Christi’, meaning ‘in the person of Christ’. Deacons also receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders when they are ordained to also serve the Church and administer some of the sacraments.

“The priest continues [Christ’s] work of redemption on earth.” – St John Vianney

Those who are not ordained, the lay faithful, participate in another kind of priesthood – the common priesthood – by virtue of their baptism. The ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood; it is directed at unfolding the baptismal grace of all Christians (CCC 1547).

In the Roman tradition, priests observe celibacy – that is to say, they do not marry – ‘for the sake of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:12)’. Joyfully, they consecrate themselves with undivided hearts to the Lord and his affairs (see 1 Corinthians 7:32), giving themselves entirely to God and his people (CCC 1579).

Ordination to the priesthood or diaconate is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into the harvest. Those who seek Holy Orders respond generously to God’s call using the words of the prophet, ‘Here I am, send me’ (Isaiah 6:8). This call from God can be recognised and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.

To become a priest requires a strong sense that this is your calling in life and then preparation through years in training.

If you believe you have a call to the priesthood or religious life then you should contact the diocesan Vocations Director on vocations@abdiocese.org.uk

For more information about the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life, see:

• Vocations | Our Faith (abdiocese.org.uk)
• www.ukvocation.org
• www.ukpriest.org

“Deacons share in Christ’s mission and grace in a special way. The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint (“character”) which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the “deacon” or servant of all.” – CCC 1570