Church of st Mary and St Andrew

Baptism

Infant Baptism
St. Mary and St Andrew's runs a Pre- Baptism course to help parents in preparation for the important responsibility of bringing up their children in the faith. Before the baptism of each child, the parent(s) are required to attend a two week baptism course, which is run every other month. The two sessions, lasting one hour, are normally held on consecutive Saturdays from 11 am to 12 noon.

Baptisms are normally celebrated in two parts. Firstly there is the Rite of Welcome, which takes place at the Sunday Mass which you normally attend and the following Sunday the Baptism proper is celebrated at 1 pm.

If you live and worship in the parish and you wish to have your child baptised, please contact one of the priests to arrange an appointment. You are asked to bring with you a copy of your Baptismal Certificate.

Adult Baptism and/or Reception into the Catholic Church
A course of initiation, The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for those wishing to become Roman Catholics begins each September. Each Catechumen (one not yet baptised) and Candidate (those already baptised in another Christian Church) will be given a Sponsor to accompany them on their spiritual journey.

There is also an on-going Enquiry Group for those who are not baptised or who are unevangelised. The group meets on alternate weeks and tries to answer those questions that the Enquirer brings and to introduce them to life in the Catholic community. Please contact one of the priests for details.

Catechism classes for Children in Non-Catholic Schools
These are designed for those children attending non-Catholic schools and who receive no specific education in the Catholic faith from their schools. Children are normally in Year 2 and will then be prepared for Holy Communion in Year 3. Children must have been attending Catechism classes for one year prior to being prepared for First Holy Communion. Classes are normally held on Tuesday evenings. Registration for these classes is normally in September - look out for details on the Newsletter.

The Eucharist

First Holy Communion
Applicants for the parish First Holy Communion Programme should be in Year 3 of Junior School or above, and be regularly attending Mass in this parish. The commencement of the programme is always announced in the Newsletter (normally in September). The classes normally take place on Monday evenings.

Confirmation

Confirmation Programme
For teenagers who have made their First Holy Communion and First Confession. Registration for the Confirmation Programme is announced each year in the Parish Newsletter, normally in June. The programme is for those who are about to enter into Year 9 or above in secondary school. The sessions normally take place on Thursday evenings between September and February.

Catholic adults who wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation should speak to one of the priests.

Matrimony

Marriage Preparation
Couples must give at least six months notice to the priests. They are also required to take part in a marriage preparation programme. Information about the programme will be given when you apply to the priest. These stipulations apply even when the marriage is to take place elsewhere. Contact one of the priests for details.

Holy Orders

If you feel that God might be calling to the Priesthood or the Religious Life, please contact one of the priests. Alternatively you can contact the Diocesan Vocations Director.

Reconciliation/Penance

First Reconciliation (Confession)
The preparation for First Reconciliation takes place in Year 5 of Junior School. Please contact one of the priests for details. If your child does not attend Our Lady of Grace School they will be prepared at the weekly Catechism class.

Times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) can be found under Mass Times and Services.

Anointing of the sick

Sacrament of the Sick and Holy Communion at Home
Contact one of the priests if you or one of your household is ill at home or has become housebound. The priests and eucharistic ministers bring communion to the sick regularly. Let us know if you are going into hospital. In light of the Data Protection Act 1998 please indicate on entering hospital that your details may be passed to the Roman Catholic chaplain. Also state that you would like the Roman Catholic chaplain to visit you.