The Sacraments

The Sacraments

• Infant Baptism
• First Eucharist (First Holy Communion)
• Reconciliation
• Confirmation
• Marriage in the Catholic Church
• Funerals
• Pastoral Care for the Sick or Elderly

There is a quick summary of each Sacrement below on this page; more details can be found by clicking the appropriate entry above.

Infant Baptism
Congratulations on your new baby, or if you are pregnant and planning ahead, we look forward with you to the great event!
Please contact the Parish Priest as soon as possible about arranging an infant Baptism at St Andrews.  Infant baptism can be celebrated during either one of the Parish Sunday Masses (8.30am or 10.30am) or on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
The Parish Priest will arrange a meeting with the parents of the child as soon as possible, so that you may both be helped with the preparation for this Sacrament.
You should start thinking now about choosing two suitable Godparents for your child.  Ideally, Godparents should be firm believers in their own Catholic faith, as their role is to support the newly baptised on the way of Christian life.
↑ Top

First Eucharist (First Holy Communion)
Please inform the Parish Priest in writing, giving your address and telephone number, when your child is ready to receive First Eucharist, which will be preceded by the child making their first reconciliation (confession). This is usually after their seventh birthday. Preparation classes are arranged as soon as there is a group of sufficient candidates.
↑ Top

Reconciliation
Those seeking the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) will find that the Parish Priest is in the Confessional at the back of the Church every Saturday morning from 10am to 11am. The penitent can choose to sit face to face to the Priest or to kneel with the curtain between them. It may be advisable to check on the weekly Parish Newsletter in case the Priest is away or otherwise engaged.
↑ Top

Confirmation
Because St Andrew’s is a small parish, the Sacrament of Confirmation may not be celebrated every year.  Please inform the Parish Priest in writing, with your address and telephone number, if your child is over 12 years old, and the Priest will inform you as soon as there are other candidates, so a that a preparation course can be started, or, failing that, other arrangements can be made.
↑ Top

Marriage in the Catholic Church
You are welcome to celebrate your great day at St Andrew’s.  Please contact the Parish Priest prior to setting your wedding date, to ensure that the Priest is available.  There is considerable preparation needed prior to the wedding and for your married life thereafter. Our diocesan policy requires that at least six months’ notice be given to the Parish Priest.  You will be helped at every step to prepare all the church and civic requirements.
↑ Top

Funerals
We have a particular care for those who are grieving at the loss of a loved one.  Please inform the Parish Priest or Deacon immediately your relative or friend has died, so we can help you as best we can. It is important not to fix a date, with your chosen Funeral Director, for a funeral at St Andrew’s, or at the cemetery or crematorium, without first checking the availability of the Priest or Deacon. We are here to help you in the preparation of the Requiem Mass or funeral service, sensitive to your wishes, within our Church’s liturgical requirements.  We will also assist you in the planning of the order of service booklet.
↑ Top

Pastoral Care for the Sick or Elderly
Please alert the Parish Priest or the Deacon, to any Catholics who are ill or confined to home, or in a local care home, so that they can be visited and offered the relevant Sacraments.

Parishioners, who are trained and appointed as extra-ordinary ministers, bring Holy Communion regularly to such people.
↑ Top