Enrolling For Sacraments

Infant Baptism - click icon for more information.

 

Through infant baptism, we welcome a child into the Church as he or she begins the journey of faith in Christ.

 

To celebrate your child’s baptism at Sacred Heart, you must live within the parish boundaries; at least one parent must be a baptised Catholic and will need to include a copy of their own baptism certificate with the application for their child. 

 

We invite both parents to attend two group meetings, to prepare for their child's baptism. The meetings are held at the Church. Infant Baptisms can be celebrated on Sunday’s within the Mass or on Sunday afternoon.

 

Families who live outside the parish boundaries, but who normally worship at Sacred Heart, may celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism here provided their own Parish Priest has given his approval.  

 

Dates of forthcoming Baptism preparation groups are availabe at the back of church and on request.  

Not all sacraments are offered all year round.

For more information, please see below or Contact Us for more information.

Marriage - click icon for more information

 

If you normally live in this parish and are planning to be married here or in any other Church, you should try to give at least six months’ notice to the parish Clergy. Sacred Heart offers marriage preparation several times a year. (September, November, January, April and June).  

 

An initial meeting with one of the clergy is followed by four one-hour sessions with other couples. A final meeting for each couple, to complete the required documentation, is arranged by appointment.

First Confession &

First Communion - click icon for more information

 

Children who have been baptised in the Catholic Church and who attend Catholic Schools are invited to prepare for their first Confession and first Holy Communion when they are in Year 3 at School. 

 

This year’s preparation will take place on Sunday mornings from 10.20 to 11.20 a.m.

 

There will be some meetings for parents during the course of the programme.

 

First Confessions will be celebrated during the programme with  first Communions on the weekend of 4th/5th July 2015.

First Sacraments for Older Children

and Children not at a Catholic School

‘Tuesday Classes’ take place after school at the Church, from January until June each year.

 

A parent must accompany their child during the ‘Tuesday Classes’; which will lead the children, together with their parents, towards celebrating the sacraments. 

 

Applications are accepted during Advent each year. Please speak to one of the clergy for more information.

Adults seeking to become members of the Catholic Church - click icon for more information

 

Adults seeking baptism or baptised Christians who wish to become Catholics are welcome to approach one of the clergy about their ‘Journey in Faith’. 

Reconciliation

A priest is available to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday evening from 6.00 - 6.30 or at any other time by appointment. 

 

The parish community gathers together during Lent each year for a Reconciliation Service during which a number of priests are available for individual confession.

 

Confirmation

 

The Confirmation programme at Sacred Heart usually runs every other year (even numbered years). Registration is around Easter time, the first meeting of the group takes place in June with the main programme beginning in September.

 

The celebration of Confirmation usually takes place at the end of November.

 

The programme is designed for young people who will be at least 13 years old by the time of the Confirmation. 

 

Details of registration are published in the newsletter.

 

Any adults seeking to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation should speak to one of the Clergy. 

Pastoral Care of the Sick

Pastoral Care of the Sick includes visiting frail and housebound parishioners to celebrate the Sacraments of Eucharist and Anointing of the Sick. 

 

There is a regular pattern of visits to Meadbank Nursing Centre and George Potter house where the Mass and Anointing of the sick are celebrated with the Catholic residents.

 

Visits to other residential institutions within the parish and home visits can be arranged by speaking to any of the clergy.

 

Parishioners who are going into hospital are invited to let one of the parish clergy know, so they can be included in the parish prayers for the sick. 

 

Since all hospitals make provision for chaplaincy services, it is recommended that parishioners request the catholic chaplain arrange for the celebration of the sacraments during any time spent in hospital.