Baptism  

Baptisms in this parish are normally celebrated on Sundays at 12 noon, or during one of the Sunday Masses. Parents who would like their child to be baptised are encouraged to do so within a few months of the child’s birth. They should contact Fr. Tony as soon as possible, who will arrange to visit them at home and explain what is involved and how they will be helped to prepare for this very important sacrament.

Sacraments of Reconciliation & Holy Communion for Children in Year 3  

Since the majority of children will be attending St Hugh’s Primary School, their preparation takes place mainly in school, supplemented by some liturgies in church. But help is also provided for parents whose children attend another school, and such parents are asked to inform the Parish Priest at the very start of the school year that their children are due to receive these sacraments. For the parents themselves, there are normally three meetings prior to the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (one of them an Introductory Meeting for the entire programme), and two or three meetings prior to the celebration of the First Holy Communion Masses. These two sacraments mark a very important stage in the spiritual journey not only of the children themselves but of the parents as well. It is hoped that these meetings will help to nourish their own faith and understanding of these sacraments, as well as enable them to be involved in the preparation programme their children are undergoing.  

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is normally celebrated in church on the afternoon of the First Sunday of Advent. [The children are invited on that occasion to take part in the Children’s Carol Service which is held two weeks later on the Third Sunday of Advent.]  

The First Holy Communion Masses (normally two in number) take place on consecutive Saturday mornings around the beginning of May, after which private family celebrations are held.

Then, before the mid-term holiday, there is a Thanksgiving Mass on a Saturday afternoon, followed by a party for the children in the Parish Hall.  

For more information, please contact either the Parish Priest, or our First Sacraments Coordinator, Siobhan Capey, Tel. 0161 610 7102.

Confirmation  

In the Shrewsbury Diocese this Sacrament is administered to those in Year 8 or upwards. Adults who wish to prepare for Confirmation should speak to the Parish Priest. For young people, a programme of preparation is in place with a team of catechists to lead it. It runs over a period of several months prior to the Confirmation Mass in June or thereabouts. An Introductory Meeting for both candidates and parents is held, followed by six or seven Sessions for the Candidates alone, each lasting about an hour and a half. There is also an ‘Away Day’ for the candidates, usually at Savio House on a Sunday in March or April, leaving by coach at 9.30am and returning around 6.00pm . Alongside the serious content, there is plenty of fun and activity too; and the candidates will also be expected to take on some charitable project or communal service. For more information, please contact Dominic McKenzie on 0161 962 5755, or email: mckenziefamily5755@tiscali.co.uk

Marriage in Church  

Christian marriage is a very important vocation and state. The Church wishes to give help and support to those who choose this path, so that their marriage will be lasting and fulfilling. This is why, for the Church to be able to recognise and bless a marriage involving a Catholic, it is essential that the marriage is arranged with and through a priest. Normally, this leads to its celebration in a Catholic church before a priest or deacon and two witnesses, but sometimes the diocesan bishop will grant permission for it to be celebrated elsewhere. Plenty of notice should be given, at least six months normally and preferably more, particularly if the marriage is to take place abroad. The preparation involves five or six meetings with the priest to complete the necessary checks that both parties are free to marry, to see that the civil requirements are attended to, to prepare the content of the ceremony, and most importantly to ensure that both understand what Christian marriage entails and are willing to commit themselves to it in a proper way. In addition to these meetings, those seeking to marry in a Catholic church in this area are expected to attend a day for engaged couples run by Marriage Care whose counsellors use to good effect with those preparing for marriage the experience they have gained from helping couples with marital problems.

R.C.I.A.  

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) is the process or spiritual journey whereby adult non-Catholics whether baptised or not are helped along the road to becoming members of the Catholic Church. Some people from the outset are very sure that this is what they wish to do, whilst others may simply wish to know more about Catholic faith and life before making any decision. Both are most welcome, and no commitment is expected of them until they feel ready and able to give it. We have a group of ‘enquirers’ at present, who meet on a regular basis with parishioners who are happy to accompany them on this spiritual journey and share their own faith and life experience as Catholics with them. If you are interested and would like to know more about this, please contact Fr. Tony who will arrange to see you, and then put you in touch with the leaders of the group.