Baptisms In line with the policy of the diocese, Six Sundays preparation must be undertaken before a date will be given by the priest. When this condition has been met a date will be booked into the parish diary and a form handed out for details to be submitted. During the Holy Season of Lent we do not baptize Once the Easter Season has begun Baptisms will again take place.
Reconciliation Children prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation as part of a structured Sacramental programme at the age of seven with the assistance of a team of parish catechists. Confessions are heard every Saturday at St Peter’s from 11am until 11.45am and in St John Vianney from 5.15pm to 5.45pm.
Matrimony Marriages can be arranged to be celebrated in any of our churches but 6 months notice must be given.
Holy Eucharist There is a mass on most days of the week at which people can receive Holy Communion.
First Communions are mostly made by children aged 7 or 8 and a programme of preparation is undertaken after school. Families are expected to prepare by accompanying their child to mass in the weeks before the celebration. The first Holy Communion Mass for St John Vianney was on 18 th May .
Confirmation The sacrament is celebrated by the Bishop when children are around the age of 11 to 14, the date for the next opportunity to be confirmed will be publicised well in advance.
Ordination to the Priesthood It is some years since there was an ordination in any of the three churches but Fr Ansbro and Fr Cooper were ordained in their local church.
The Sacrament of the sick If you, or someone you know, are ill or housebound and would like to receive Holy Communion or the sacrament of the sick , at home or in hospital please contact Fr Shaun or Fr Francis. The hospital chaplain service is available to provide this sacrament to people who are in hospital. The patient has to request a visit from the chaplain as it will no longer be possible to assume that a chaplain will call at the bedside unless asked to do so. For someone in their own home or a care home please let the priest know so that arrangements can be made for someone to be anointed.
When someone dies and arrangements are being made for a requiem mass before the burial or cremation let the priest know as soon as possible to enable the planning for the service.