MARRIAGE PREPARATION: The diocese wishes to raise the profile of Preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage and to provide more assistance to priests and others who help couples prepare for this important step in their lives, but more volunteers are needed. The Diocesan Commission for Marriage and Family Life is launching a new leaflet giving details about all of this and it will be available from next weekend.
BAPTISM
Through baptism, we enter the mystery of God's life and begin our welcome into the family of God, the Church. Baptism should be arranged through Fr David. Please contact him for details and to arrange a suitable time. Parents wishing to have their child baptised will be expected to take part in a parish preparation programme.
FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION
The Celebration of these Sacraments takes place in school year 3 (the year in which children reach the age of 8), or later. Our parish preparation programme begins in the autumn and details of how to register are published in the weekly newsletter in August/September. Parents are encouraged to take an active part in their child's preparation for these sacraments.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation completes our baptism and makes us full members of the Church, committed to being witnesses to Christ in the world. The current age for Confirmation in our diocese is during school year 10 (the year in which young people reach the age of 15), or above. Those being confirmed will be invited to take part in a parish preparation programme. For details of the next Parish Programme please contact Fr David.
MARRIAGE
Except in a few special circumstances when a dispensation is given by the bishop to marry in a non-Catholic church, a Catholic must celebrate marriage in a Catholic church. Couples are usually required to give six months notice of their intention to marry. It is important to contact Fr David to arrange a date for the wedding before making any other arrangements. Couples will be expected to attend a preparation programme.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
This Sacrament (once called Extreme Unction) is a sacrament of God's healing love, strength and peace for those who are seriously ill, or weak through advanced age, or about to undergo major surgery. If you, or someone you know, would like to receive this sacrament please contact Fr David. It should be normal for a Catholic to seek this sacrament when they are seriously sick in some way.
The parish has an annual Mass during which the Sacrament of Anointing is celebrated. This usually takes place in July.
COMMUNION AT HOME
Being sick or housebound can make us feel cut off from the spiritual life of the church, especially from Mass. Receiving Holy Communion keeps us “in communion” with Christ and the Church at these times. Holy Communion can be brought to you at home by Fr David, or by a lay minister of Holy Communion. Please contact Fr David for making the necessary arrangements.
HOSPITAL PATIENTS
If you, a relative or friend, is due to be an in-patient at the Norfolk and Norwich, or any other hospital please contact the Catholic chaplain. Further details from Fr David
HOUSE BLESSINGS
If you would like your house blessed contact Fr David to arrange a date.
