A Sacrament is an efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is given to us.
Full and active participation in the sacramental life of the Church requires a period of preparation of both mind and heart to be receptive to the grace of new life in Christ.
Baptism
Baptism is the sacrament by which we become Christians and children of God. We are filled with the Holy Spirit and are considered members of the Church. The water of Baptism symbolises both washing and new life. It washes away all sins, and we begin a new life as children of God and members of the Church.
Eucharist
The Eucharist is a sacrifice, a presence and a food. It makes present to us the Sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary for our salvation. It is Jesus himself who is with us in the Bread and the wine, once it has been consecrated. It provides us with the food and nourishment our souls need and by which we share in God’s own life.
Confirmation
Confirmation completes the Christian initiation begun in Baptism. We become spiritually adult in the eyes of the Church, and we receive a permanent seal upon our souls. The Holy Spirit gifts us with seven special gifts and we are enabled to publicly proclaim the Gospel and defend the faith.
Penance and Reconciliation
This is the sacrament by which we, repenting and confessing our sins to a priest, are absolved by God, through the priest, from all our sins.
Anointing of the Sick
Anointing strengthens our souls and bodies, especially as we approach death. We can be healed or helped to die with all our sins forgiven by God, even when we cannot speak.
Marriage
Marriage is the sacrament by which baptised men and women commit to a life-long, exclusive commitment to each other and also commit to accepting and raising children together.
Holy Orders
This sacrament enables a baptised man to share in the particular mission that Christ entrusted to his apostles. There are three orders in this sacrament: Bishop, Priest, and Deacon.