Receive Sacraments
Receive Sacraments
Baptism
“What must I do to be saved?” [Paul and Silas] replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized” (Act 16:30-33)
Christians are baptised. Baptism washes away sin and makes us members of God’s family, the Church. Infant baptism requires a well founded belief that a child be brought up in the faith. Therefore, those presenting a child for baptism need to be practicing the faith at a Catholic parish. Not sure if you fulfill this requirement? We’d like to help. Click here to leave your details and the parish secretary will contact you to set up a chat with one of our priests.
Adult baptism is for those coming to the faith as an adult. The path to receiving this sacrament, as well as the other sacraments, will be uniquely tailored for you. To find out more, click here to leave your details and the parish secretary will contact you to set up a chat with one of our priests.
Confession
“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (Jn 20:21).
Christians implore the mercy of God through the sacrament of Confession. Also called the sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation, this sacrament renews the grace of baptism and strengthens the faithful to resist temptation. Frequent confession is recommended by the saints. A useful guide is to visit this sacrament between once a week and once a month.
Confession times at St Bernadette’s are: Saturdays 17:00 – 18:00; Sundays 06:40 – 07:00; 08:10 – 08:30; 09:40 – 10:00; 17:30 – 18:00.
If you are nervous about confession and would like to speak with a priest outside of the confession times click here to leave your details with the secretary who will arrange a time for you to speak with one of our priests.
Holy Communion
“Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.” (Jn 6:53-56)
Christians eat His body and drink His blood.
Ever since the Last Supper, Christians have gathered every Sunday, and sometimes on weekdays, to eat and drink the body and blood of the Son of God. This Holy Communion is a participation in the body and blood of Christ (1 Cor 10:16). Receiving this sacrament is a sign of an exciting communion between the recipient and God, as well as between the recipient and the rest of the body of believers – this is what is meant by the Communion of Saints. For this reason, only catholic Christian’s suitably prepared may receive Holy Communion. We would love to assist you towards receiving this sacrament. If you have been away from the church for some time, or are not a Catholic Christian and would like to receive Jesus in Holy Communion, click here to leave your details with our secretary who will arrange for you to meet with one of our priests.
In addition to receiving Jesus at Holy Mass, Christians gather to adore the Lord when He is exposed on the altar – this is called Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Sometimes, at the end of Exposition, the priest will offer Benediction, literally, a blessing to the people.
Exposition takes place most Fridays from 16:30 – 17:20; Saturdays from 17:00 – 17:40; Sundays from 17:00. Benediction is offered most Saturdays at 17:40 and most Sundays at 17:30.
Confirmation
“When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:14-17)
Christians are confirmed in the Holy Spirit by way of the laying on of the hands of the Bishop.
The sacrament of Confirmation strengthens the faithful so that they might witness to Christ. The Greek word for witness is “martyr”. This tells us something about what witnessing to the world involves. Children receive the sacrament of Confirmation in grade 11. Preparation for this sacrament begins in grade 8 through participation in our exciting Life Teen program. Adults wishing to receive this sacrament should meet with a priest who will help to discern the best path for you.
Matrimony
“Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Eph 5:31)
Christians commit to one another. One form of this commitment is marriage, which reflects the relationship between Christ and His Church. To marry at this church it is necessary that at least one future spouse be a Catholic Christian. Other requirements include a period of preparation and meeting with a priest. Click here to fill out a form before meeting with a priest about your proposed marriage. Note, filling in the form does not mean the church has been booked for your marriage.
Holy Orders
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers” (Eph 4:11)
A vocation to the permanent diaconate is available to single as well as married men. This is a vocation to unique service that compliments that of the priest. Those ordained to the diaconate are usually assigned by the bishop to a diocesan parish.
A vocation to religious life is a call to leave the world for the world. Over the centuries, God has called both men and women to devote themselves to prayer for, and behalf of, the world. There are as many “types” of religious orders as you can imagine and discerning which community God has called you to is usually the fruit of spiritual discernment with one of our priests.
To explore whether God might be calling you to any of the above vocations click here to make an appointment with one of our priests (insert link to email titled “Vocational Discernment”).
Anointing of the Sick
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15)
Christians are anointed with oil for the forgiveness of sins and healing of their body and soul.
This sacrament should be sought if one is about to undergo an operation or when seriously ill. If you or your loved one is ill you are invited to call the priest to visit and pray with you or your loved one.