Sacraments
A sacrament is defined as:
‘‘An outward sign of inward grace, ordained by Jesus Christ, by which grace is given to our souls’’ (A Catechism of Christian Doctrine 249). They are God’s way of sharing his love with us and are consequently an important part of our faith.
The Catholic Church celebrates seven sacraments which fall in to three categories:
- Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist (Communion)
- Healing – Penance and Reconciliation (Confession) and Anointing of the Sick
- Service – Holy Orders and Matrimony
Baptism
Through baptism we become part of God’s family. We welcome those who wish to be baptised or have their child baptised. Please contact Father Chris who will provide further information on this sacrament and the preparation required in the lead up to the Celebration of Baptism.
Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also referred to as Confession, is a sacrament of healing. Children aged seven or over are eligible to receive this sacrament. If you would like to find out more about this sacrament or if you have a child ready for preparation, please contact Father Chris. He will explain the importance of this sacrament and the preparation which will be provided by an experienced Parish Catechist.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at St Peter’s on Saturday 10.30 to 11.00am after Mass and on request.
Eucharist
In the Eucharist we give thanks to God over bread and wine which, through the power of the Holy Spirit, become the body and blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which we then receive in Holy Communion. This sacrament unites us with Jesus and with one another. The Eucharist is the high point of our worship together.
Children aged seven years or upwards are eligible to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. If you would like to find out more about this beautiful sacrament and how you or your child can be prepared to receive Jesus Christ in Holy Communion, please contact Father Chris.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the sacrament by which a person renews and confirms the promises made, on their behalf by parents and godparents, when they were presented for baptism. Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they receive the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit that they can draw strength from as they bear witness to Christ in their lives through word and deed.1
Candidates should have reached the age of 13 to become eligible for Confirmation. The ceremony itself normally takes place on a Sunday afternoon at Shrewsbury Cathedral on the afternoon of the feast of Pentecost. Please contact Father Chris for further information regarding this sacrament and the preparation required.
Anointing of the Sick
“The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick has, as its purpose, the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age”. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1527).
If you or a member of your family is ill and housebound for any length of time and would like Holy Communion or the Sacrament for the Sick at home, please contact Father Chris. In the case of hospitals, Data Protection Regulations prevent the hospital authorities letting chaplains know that members of their denomination are in hospital. It is for the patient or their family to ask the ward staff to ask the chaplain or one of their team to call in order to request a visit.
Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament by which bishops, priests and deacons are ordained and receive the commission and grace to act in the name of Christ. The sacrament is received only by those who have received a vocation from God to serve as priests, ministers of Word and Sacrament and pastors of the faithful, or as deacons sharing in the ministry of the Word and pastoral care of the people.
To find out more about the different type of vocations in the Catholic Church, speak to Father Chris.
Marriage
Through the vows taken, a man and woman are joined together for life. Marriage begins with a wedding service in the presence of God and the faith community and the couple continue to confer the sacrament on one another whenever they offer themselves in the service of the other and the larger community. Thus, marriage is an ongoing sacrament. The grace of the sacrament is there to strengthen the couple and should be open to creating and raising a family.1
Couples who wish to marry at St Peter’s or St Elizabeth’s should contact Father Chris to find out more about preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage and to arrange the date of the marriage service.
Notes
1. https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/sacraments/
Further information about the sacraments can be found via the Diocese of Shrewsbury website and the Diocese of Westminster website which provides Essential Guides to download. Catholic Truth Society Publications also have some useful publications. Links provided below:
https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/sacraments/
https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/vocations/
https://rcdow.org.uk/evangelisation/our-catholic-faith/sacraments