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.
Sacraments of Christian Initiation
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, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.” Catechism of the Catholic Church
The sacrament in which, by pouring water upon a person, or immersing in water, and using the words “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”, the one baptised is cleansed of Original Sin and (in the case of one who has reached the age of reason) of actual sins, is incorporated into Christ and made a member of His Body the Church; he/she is infused with the sanctifying grace and receives the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity.
If you want to have a child baptised, contact the Parish Priest who will explain what has to take place in terms of preparation for the sacrament, choosing Godparents, booking a date, choosing readings and prayers etc.
Eucharist
Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord’s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist. Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Eucharist (from the Greek eucharistia, “thanksgiving”) is the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, in which He is present under the forms of bread and wine. In the Eucharist, Jesus offers Himself in the Sacrifice of the Mass and gives Himself as spiritual food to the faithful.
The reception of the Blessed Eucharist for the first time in a child’s life is a wonderful moment. Family, catechists, priests and community all contribute to preparing the child to enter this new phase of an ever-deepening communion with Christ.
A programme is run in the Parish each year to prepare the children of parishioners for the sacrament of the Eucharist, Holy Communion. Registration and application details are published in the Newsletter. Adults wishing to be prepared for the sacrament should speak to the Parish Priest.
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.” Catechism of the Catholic Church
In the Diocese of Westminster the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation generally occurs in adolescence, completing the Sacraments of Initiation for our young people. The challenge is to help our young people to recognise and to draw fruitfully on the gifts of the Holy Spirit as they grow into adult Christians.
A programme is run in the parish each year to prepare young people for the sacrament. Registration and application details are published in the Newsletter. Adults wishing to be prepared or the sacrament should speak to the Parish Priest.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
The RCIA, stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, and is the formal process through which non-baptised men and women enter the Catholic Church. It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Participants in the RCIA are known as catechumens. The Catholic RCIA stages are a good model of basic faith development.
From Stage 1 where you are perhaps ‘just looking’ and inquiring about the Catholic Faith, as your faith develops, you now seek to come into closer contact with the Living God and learn more about the Catholic Faith. A stage of intense reflection calls you to deeper conversion in preparation for your renewal at Easter when you will receive the sacraments of initiation into the Church – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. After the reception of the sacraments, the Easter season is for continued reflection on the sacraments you have received at Easter, especially the Eucharist – the “source and summit” of the Christian life in the Catholic Church.
Reconciliation (Confession)
“It is called the Sacrament of Confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a “confession” – acknowledgment and praise – of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man.
It is called the Sacrament of Forgiveness, since by the priest’s sacramental absolution God grants the penitent “pardon and peace.”
It is called the Sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: “Be reconciled to God.” He who lives by God’s merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord’s call: “Go; first be reconciled to your brother.” Catechism of the Catholic Church
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation we celebrate God’s forgiving and healing love. In preparing children to celebrate the Sacrament for the first time we have the wonderful opportunity to open them to the joy of God’s unconditional love and mercy.
A programme is run in the Parish each year to prepare the children of parishioners for the sacraments of Reconciliation (Confession) and Holy Communion. Registration and application details are published in the Newsletter. Adults wishing to be prepared or the sacrament should speak to the Parish Priest.
Anointing of the Sick
The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill by anointing them on the forehead and hands with duly blessed oil – pressed from olives or from other plants – saying, only once: “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.” Catechism of the Catholic Church
The priest prays with the sick person and anoints them with oil on the forehead and palms. The oil symbolizes God’s presence and is believed to give strength and hope. Anyone who is baptized Catholic and seriously ill can receive the sacrament, including the elderly, those facing surgery, and those with serious mental illness.
Please contact the Parish Office or the Parish Priest if you or someone you know wishes to receive this sacrament.
Matrimony
“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” Catechism of the Catholic Church
Whether you wish to be married here at St Peter’s or elsewhere, it is necessary to give 6 months notice to allow the necessary preparation and administration to be completed.
If you want to be married here or would like the Parish Priest to celebrate your marriage elsewhere then contact him to find out what has to take place in terms of the paperwork required, sacramental preparation, choosing readings and prayers, booking an organist, payments etc. If you are being married in another parish or even another country, you will have to provide the priest who is to marry you with certain documents so, again, contact the priest here for further information.