Wednesday 4 November · Ordinary Time · Today's readings
Christ’s own outward signs that give grace, celebrated in this archdiocese by its bishops, priests and deacons, in communion with the Successor of Peter.
The Catholic Church recognises seven sacraments, all instituted by Our Lord Jesus Christ. Three begin the life of grace: Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. Two heal what sin and sickness have weakened: Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick. Two serve the communion of the Church and its mission: Holy Orders and Matrimony.
In this archdiocese all seven are given freely. Suggested offerings, where they apply, help the local parish and never bar anyone from the sacrament.
Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is given to us.Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1131
Parents prepare for the baptism of their child in two sessions with the parish catechist. Godparents must be confirmed Catholics of at least sixteen years.
Ask your parish office for the next preparation session.
Children receive their First Holy Communion in their parish after two years of catechesis, usually in the Easter season.
Adults who have not yet received Holy Communion follow the course for adults in their parish.
Ask your parish catechist when the next First Holy Communion class begins.
Confirmation is celebrated in each parish by the Archbishop or his delegate, usually every two years. Candidates follow two years of catechesis.
The chancery publishes the confirmation visits each January.
Every parish of the archdiocese hears confessions each week, and before Christmas and Easter the deaneries hold penitential services with several priests.
A priest will also hear your confession at any reasonable time if you ask.
The confession times of each parish are on its website and in its bulletin.
The Anointing of the Sick is for anyone seriously ill, anyone facing a serious operation and the elderly who are growing frail. It can be received more than once.
Do not wait until the last moment to ask.
Call your parish office, day or night, and a priest will come.
Couples should speak to their parish priest at least six months before the wedding. Marriage preparation is a journey of six sessions, with a married couple as mentors.
Banns are published in both parishes for three Sundays.
Young men who feel called to the priesthood may write to the vocations director at any time. Formation begins at St Joseph's Minor Seminary, Amberfield.
The vocations office answers every enquiry within two weeks.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is how the Church receives those over the age of reason who were never baptised, or who were baptised in another Christian community and wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.
Ask a priestCertificates are issued by the parish where the sacrament was celebrated. The archdiocese keeps a central register to check them.
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