Baptism | Reconciliation | First Communion | Marriage

Confirmation | Vocation | Sacrament of the Sick

There are seven sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church. Symbolic actions combine with the appropriate text to make real what is symbolised. Sacraments thus make tangibly present the saving mysteries of Christ’s love for his church and are a source of life and grace.

Baptism is the first sacrament of initiation into the Christian community. This is usually followed by Holy Communion when Christ is made present under the form of bread and wine. Often this sacrament is accompanied by Reconciliation, in which God’s forgiveness is received. Confirmation is the final sacrament of initiation which is undertaken to strengthen Christians with the power of the Holy Spirit for their adult lives. Marriage brings the power of God’s love to the couple while Ordination is for the few who are chosen to be sacred ministers. Finally the Sacrament of the Sick brings the healing power of Jesus to the old and sick.

Baptism

The Baptism of Jesus - Giotto	Baptism is the first of three sacraments of initiation and it is therefore a person’s entry into the life of Christ. The first Baptisms were for adults, but probably very early in the history of the church infants were brought for Baptism. In the Catholic Church adults are usually baptised at the Easter Vigil, and receive preparation in the Faith Group RCIA. Parents of infants for Baptism receive preparation in this parish in a series of five sessions run on Monday evenings by parish catechists in St Benedict's at 8.00 pm.
A Baptism Service is celebrated on a Sunday afternoon three times a year in March, July and November. A week before, parents and children for Baptism are presented to the community at the 9.30 Mass in the Abbey Church.
Baptism of Ignatia Whitehead, Feb 1st 2009
Contact Fr. James on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 01342 710313
Baptism Preparation Dates Summer 2010 Mondays in the Parish Office at 7.30 pm:  May 17th, May 24th, May 31st, June 7th, June 14th, June 21st Parish Baptism Service on June 27th in the Abbey Church at 3.00 pm
Baptism Preparation Dates Autumn 2010 Mondays in the Parish Office: The first meeting will be held on Monday, September 13th at 7.30 pm The following meetings on the 20th and 27th September and the 11th and 18th October will be at a time still to be decided. Sunday 24th October : Presentation of the candidates at the 9.30 am Mass in the Abbey Sunday 31st Otober: Baptism Service at 3.00 pm in the Abbey The classes will be run by Christina Fitzsimons and Brenda Ellison. Contacts: Christina Fitzsimons at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Brrenda Ellison at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Mandy Horton at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 01342 710313