Sacraments

Sacraments at St Peter's

The sacraments of the Catholic Church are, the Church teaches, ‘efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.’

Though not every individual has to receive every sacrament, the Church affirms that, for believers as a whole, the sacraments are necessary for salvation, as the modes of grace divinely instituted by Christ Himself. Likewise, as the sole dispenser of Christ’s sacraments, the Catholic Church itself is spoken of as ‘The universal sacrament of salvation’, containing the individual seven sacraments. According to the Church, Christ bestows that sacrament’s particular grace, such as incorporation into Christ and the Church, forgiveness of sins, or consecration for a particular service through each of these sacraments.

The Church teaches that the effect of a sacrament comes ‘ex opere operato’, by the very fact of being administered, regardless of the personal holiness of the minister administering it. However, a recipient’s own lack of proper disposition to receive the grace conveyed can block the effectiveness of the sacrament in that person. The sacraments presuppose faith and, through their words and ritual elements, nourish, strengthen and express faith.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists the sacraments as follows: ‘The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments. There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.'

THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

Baptism

Baptism, the first and fundamental sacrament and the gate to the other sacraments, is the purifying and sanctifying sacrament of rebirth. It is the means by which its recipients are incorporated into the church in a sacramental bond of unity.

Baptisms are celebrated most Saturdays at 12.30 pm (except 4th Saturday) during a special service which may include several families. Whilst it is appropriate for baptisms to be celebrated within regular Sunday Mass, our current congregation/church size makes this impractical at this point in time. We are currently running a Baptism Preparation program to which parents and godparents are all welcome. To book a baptism and sign up for the preparation program, please contact the parish office.

Confirmation

Confirmation results in the candidate becoming fully equipped with the Holy Spirit. Confirmation enriches the baptised with the Holy Spirit, binding them more perfectly to the Church, and strengthening them in their witness to Christ by word and deed and in their work to bring to its fullness the Body of Christ.

Application forms and dates of the programme can be found on the table in the Narthex as well as on the website. The completed forms are to be handed into the sacristy, along with a written letter to Fr Francis saying why you want to receive this Sacrament. Please include your Baptismal certificate. If you were baptised here at St Peter’s, then you do not need a Baptismal certificate, but your date of Baptism is required so that we can look it up in the records. Closing date for applications Friday, 23rd May. The Confirmation Course will start on June 8th. You must be at least in Year 10 in October to receive this Sacrament.

Communion

The Eucharist is the most august sacrament, in which Christ himself is contained, offered and received, and by which the Church constantly lives and grows. Through this sacrament, we receive the Holy Body and Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, presented by the Bread and Wine.

THE SACRAMENTS OF HEALING

Penance and Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, in which the faithful obtain divine mercy for the sins committed against God and neighbour and are reconciled with the community of the Church. By this sacrament, Christians are freed from sins committed after Baptism. For this reason, conversion and wholeness entail both God's forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed in the liturgy of the sacrament of Reconciliation.

After Thursday 9.30 am Mass

Friday 6.00-6.30 pm followed by Holy Mass

Anointing of the Sick

Through the sacrament of anointing, Christ strengthens the faithful who are afflicted by illness, providing them with the strongest means of support. Jesus showed great concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick and commanded his followers to do the same

THE SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION

Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament by which bishops, priests and deacons are ordained and receive the power and grace to perform their sacred duties. The sacred rite by which orders are conferred is called ordination. The apostles were ordained by Jesus at the Last Supper so that others could share in his priesthood.

At Clifton Diocese: Priesthood | Permanent Diaconate

Matrimony

The Church has a rich tradition in its teaching on sacramental marriage and covenantal union. The Old Testament authors write of God making a covenant with the chosen people and promising them that they will never be forsaken. The New Testament authors write of Jesus as the new covenant and compare the relationship of Jesus with the Church to the relationship of a husband and wife.

If you would like to book your wedding at our church, or are considering getting married abroad and are a parishioner of our church, please contact the parish office or one of the priests at least 6 months before the wedding date.

As part of the preparation, couples will need to attend a 1-day Marriage preparation course. To book yourself on a course, please visit:

www.marriagecare.org.uk – email: appointments@marriagecare.org.uk – Tel: 08003893801 or 01159934255.

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