SACRAMENTAL LIFE

The sacrament of Baptism is called the "first sacrament" and the "door of the Church", through which we become members of the Church. It is the entrance into a new life; we are reborn from the state of slaves of sin into the freedom of God's Children. For Catholics it is the event of great value.

Dear Parents! Your spiritual involvement is essential in preparing for the baptism of your child. Parents are the first and most important teachers of the faith. The faith of your child will grow as it witnesses your Catholic faith in action. So it is important that you attend the Sunday's Mass. Your presence is vital for the whole Parish community.

SPECIFIC PREPARATIONS. The Parents should contact Fr. Dawid to agree upon the details. Usually they are required to attend one or two baptismal preparation meetings.

For adults, the proper preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism is the RCIA course (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), which starts early October. 

First Holy Communion means first and solemn reception of the sacrament of the Eucharist, which is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. This event is very important for the Parish, as the Eucharist is one of the central focuses of the Catholic Church. It is the primary duty of parents and of the priest to ensure that children are properly prepared for the Holy Communion.

Parents of children from our Parish who wish their child to make his (her) First Holy Communion and First Confesion need to see Father Dawid before the end of September. They should fill in the Request Form for Sacramental Preparation and bring the Baptismal Certificate.

The Catholic children from St Patrick's Primary School have their preparation at school. It is run by the class teacher and Fr. Dawid.

The children from our Parish who do not attend a Catholic school have their course of preparation in the Parish. The dates of the meetings are given in the Parish's Newsletter.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ. Its effect is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles after the Resurrection. The sacrament of Confirmation strengthens our faith and gives courage to live according to the Gospel.

Parents of children from our Parish who wish their child to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation need to see Father Dawid before the end of September. They should fill in the Request Form for Sacramental Preparation and bring the Baptismal Certificate.

The Catholic children from St Patrick's Primary School have their preparation at school. It is run by Fr. Dawid and the teachers.

The children from our Parish who do not attend a Catholic school have their course of preparation in the Parish. The dates of meetings are given in the Parish's Newsletter.

MAKING A GOOD CONFESSION

1. A careful and sincere examination of conscience since your last confession;
2. Contrition (repentance), which includes the determination to avoid the occasions of sin;
3. Confession of sins to the priest, with humility and honesty;
4. Satisfaction - carrying out the penance prescribed to repair the damage caused by sin.

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

The relationship with God:

Do I exclude God from my life?

Do I neglect my daily prayers or say them badly?

Have I used God's name in anger or carelessly?

Have I missed Mass on a Sunday or Holyday of Obligation?

Have I received Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin?

Do I observe the one hour fast before receiving Communion?

Do I abstain from meat or perform some other act of penance on Fridays?

The relationship with other people:

Have I been impatient, angry or jealous?

Have I taken part in, or encouraged, an abortion?

Have I physically harmed anyone?

Have I been drunk, used drugs, or given a bad example to others?

Have I driven carelessly so as to endanger my life or that of other people?

Have I placed myself in danger of sin by reading or looking at what was indecent or pornographic?

Have I sinned against the virtue of purity by myself (masturbation)?

Have I sinned against the virtue of purity with others (fornication, adultery)?

Have I been dishonest by stealing or cheating?

Have I been lazy at my work or at home?

Have I been uncharitable or unkind in thought, word, or deed?

Have I told lies?

Am I greedy or selfish?

Do I judge others?

THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION

1. Reconciliation with God and therefore the forgiveness of sins;
2. Reconciliation with the Church;
3. Recovery, if it has been lost, of the state of grace;
4. Remission of the eternal punishment merited by mortal sins;
5. Remission, at least in part, of the temporal punishment which is the consequence of sin;
6. Reace, serenity of conscience and spiritual consolation;
7. An increase of spiritual strength for the struggle of Christian living.

Confessions at St Patrick's:

Saturday after 9:30am Mass & Sunday 5:30-5:55 pm or on request

Catholic Marriage is a sacrament, which involves a lifelong commitment. Therefore proper preparation is necessary. Its aim is to help the engaged couple prepare for this profound experience of God's love that will be showered upon them on the wedding day and every day of theirs married life.

Dear couples contemplating marriage! First of all, your spiritual development as a couple is very important aspect of your marriage preparation. As you are to build a relationship on faith in God and mutual love, you should attend Sunday Mass that you may be strengthened by the Eucharist. Your spiritual involvement in the life of the Parish will make your marriage ceremony in the Church more familial and credible.

For further details please contact Fr. Dawid

Fr Dawid visits Parishioners in the nursing homes that belong to the Parish, like Bentley Court or Pine Court. He brings to them Holy Communion, anoint with the oil of the Sick and hear Confessions, especially before Easter.

Some of our Parishioners, called Eucharistic Ministers, assist the Parish Priest in distributing the Holy Communion at weekday and weekend, bringing the Body of Christ to the sick at their own homes or nursing homes.

Please call Fr. Dawid for the Sacrament of Anointing or Confession as well as for any emergencies. It is important, as in the sacrament of the sick the believer is strengthened with Christ's grace, through prayers and anointing in the oil. All who are infirm or hospitalized can be anointed.

If you would like a visit at New Cross Hospital, please contact the Hospital Chaplain's office: 01902 695098

While we wish to support mourners at the difficult time of bereavement, we believe the best way to do so is to offer the riches of the Catholic Liturgy without some of the extras which have become commonplace due to the secularisation of society. We do our best to ensure that any funeral service here is personalised in an appropriate way. However taped music (CD) is not permitted at the Church. 'Eulogies' should be brief, written down, and given to Fr. Dawid by the evening before the service. When the service in church is followed by cremation, there is usually plenty of time at the crematorium, so that may be the best place for speeches, cds and other tributes.

There are several options for celebrating a funeral in a catholic context. The first is to have a funeral Mass (Requiem Mass). In normal circumstances the Mass in Church is the most appropriate context for a funeral of a Catholic person. In it we access Christ's sacrifice, made so that the power of sin and death might be overcome and the way to heaven made open for us.

It is also possible to have a simple service in the church or at the crematorium. In this case you can have a formal liturgy of the Catholic Church which should be treated with a similar level of respect as a Mass in Church.

The main service is followed by either burial or cremation. In the case of cremation, the ashes should be buried at a later date. There is a simple ceremony to mark this. The Church does not bless the scattering of ashes.