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The Blessed Sacraments and Funerals

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About the Sacraments
Biblical Basis for the Sacraments
Sacramental Preparation Policies & Guidelines
Baptism
Confession & First Holy Communion
Confirmation
Holy Orders
Marriage
Anointing of the Sick
Funeral
Stole / Mass Fees

ABOUT THE SACRAMENTS

Sacraments are external signs of spiritual significance.  The sacred purpose of these external acts is the bestowing of the Grace of God upon human souls.

The seven sacraments, Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation (Penance, Confession), Matrimony, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick, consist of materials – water, oil, bread, wine – and external acts – pouring, anointing, laying on of hands, uttering words.

As St Thomas Aquinas put it, `We are born again in Baptism and made strong in Christian faith by Confirmation.  The Eucharist provides our spiritual food.  Confession heals the soul wounded by sin.  Anointing of the sick prepares the soul for eternal life.  Holy Orders supplies ministers to the Church of God and Matrimony gives the graces necessary for those who are to rear children in the love and fear of God.’
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BIBLICAL BASIS FOR THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS

There are many biblical references to the Sacraments, some of which are mentioned below.
 
Baptism: Mt 28:18-20
Jesus said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples; baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”
See also the baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22)
Also – Mark 16:16; John 3:5-6, 22, 4:1-2; Acts 2:38-41, 10:47-48; Romans 6:3-4; Col 2:12

Confirmation: Acts 8:14-17
The apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had received the word of God, so they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for the believers that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit had not yet come down on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
See also John 20:22; Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:6; 1 Tim 4:14, 5:22; 2 Tim 1:7

Confession: John 20:21-23
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
See also Matt 16:19, 18:18; James 5:16

Holy Communion: John 6:53-56
Jesus said to them, “I am telling you the truth: if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in yourselves. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them to life on the last day. For my flesh is real food; my blood is the real drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood live in me, and I live in them. “
See also Matt 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23: The Lord’s Supper - Institution of the Holy Eucharist
See also Luke 24:30-31; 1 Cor 11:23-29

Holy Orders: Mark 3:13-15
Then Jesus went up a hill and called to himself the men he wanted. They came to him, and he chose twelve, whom he named apostles. “I have chosen you to be with me,” he told them. “I will also send you out to preach, and you will have authority to drive out demons.”
See also Acts 6:2-7

Marriage: Gen 2:24; Matt 19:3-9
Gen 2:24 – That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one.
Matt 19:3-9 - Some Pharisees came to him and tried to trap him by asking, “Does our Law allow a man to divorce his wife for whatever reason he wishes?” Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read the scripture that says that in the beginning the Creator made people male and female? And God said, `For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one.’ So they are no longer two, but one. No human being must separate, then, what God has joined together.”
See also Mark 10:2-12; 1 Cor 7:10-16; Eph 5:31-33

Anointing of sick: Mark 6:12-13
So they went out and preached that people should turn away from their sins. They drove out many demons, and rubbed olive-oil on many sick people and healed them.
See also James 5:14-16
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SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION POLICIES & GUIDELINES

SACRAMENT OF (INFANT) BAPTISM

When: Because of the communal aspect of this Sacrament, we encourage the practice of baptism in the ordinary communal Mass of the parish, which usually takes place at designated 10 a.m. Sunday Masses. If necessary, other arrangements may be made with the consent of our parish priest.
Catholic Parent: One parent/guardian must be Catholic and active in the practice of their faith. There will be instruction for parents/guardians and godparents as to the nature of the sacrament of Baptism and as to their responsibility to raise their child in the faith.
Parents who are not in full communion with the Church, and yet are desirous of having a child baptized, are encouraged to contact our parish priest for guidance.
Godparents: Godparents must be designated by the parents or guardians and at least one Godparent must be 16 years old, confirmed and actively practicing the Catholic faith. A non-Catholic, baptized person can participate in the role as a Christian Witness of the baptism. An unbaptized person cannot act as a godparent of Christian Witness.
Baptismal Candle: One of the most important symbols of baptism is the Baptismal Candle which represents the light of Christ. The priest will light this candle from the Easter candle during the ceremony and the family must provide a white candle for the child being baptized.
White garment: It is customary for your child to be dressed in a white garment, symbolizing your child’s putting on the new life of Christ.
Video/photography: While we encourage the recording of this special event, we ask for consideration for other families present. The parents and godparents will be occupied with the ceremony, so a friend or family member will need to take the photographs/videos. At baptisms during liturgies, photographs and videos may only be taken during the actual baptism and around the baptismal font. The priest will be happy to pose for additional photographs after the baptism / Mass.
Baptismal Certificate: You will be given your child’s Baptismal Certificate – keep this in a safe place. You will need it for catechism classes, First Confession, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders.
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SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Weekly Confessions are heard each Saturday evening at 5 – 5.45 p.m. or by appointment.
Holy Communion can be received at all daily and weekend Masses unless stated otherwise. If anyone is housebound or in hospital, please advise the parish so that an Extra-ordinary Minister of Holy Communion can administer the sacrament to them.
First Time: These Sacraments are celebrated for the first time in Grade 4 (ages 9-10) for students enrolled in the parish’s Catechism programme. Please contact the priest if these Sacraments are needed for older students or adults.
Catechism: Preparation for these Sacraments begins in Grade 1. Please consult the Catechism page for details about catechism classes.
We are now offering pre-school Catechism classes and we encourage parents to send their young children to these enjoyable and formative classes.
Consideration for the eligibility of candidates to enter a catechetical formation period is dependent upon the individual’s history of attendance in the catechetical programmes, participation in the community’s liturgical and sacramental life, and their and their parent’s ability/willingness to make a faith commitment. All candidates will need to present their Baptismal Certificate at the start of their catechism classes.
First Confession takes place a few weeks before First Holy Communion.
First Holy Communion: The parents of candidates will be required to attend a meeting before First Holy Communion takes place. A rehearsal will be held, usually the Friday night before the First Holy Communion Mass which is usually held on a Sunday at the 10am Mass.
Video/photography: The parish arranges a professional photographer, but the individual family may also take photographs/videos of their child – please always remember to be considerate of the other families present.
After Mass Celebration: It is customary for a celebration to be held in the church hall after the Mass and the parents are responsible for decorating the hall and providing the refreshments, including a traditional congratulatory box of treats for the First Holy Communicants.
Gifts for Catechetical Teachers: It is also traditional for parents to present the catechism teachers with a token of their thanks and esteem at the end of the Mass.
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SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Catechism: This Sacrament is celebrated in Grade 11 (age 16-17). All candidates should begin their preparation process by enrolling in Grade 8 catechism classes. Please consult the Catechism page for details about catechism classes.
Consideration for the eligibility of candidates to enter this formation period is dependent upon the individual’s history of attendance in the catechetical programmes, participation in the community’s liturgical and sacramental life, and their ability/willingness to make a faith commitment. All candidates will need to present their Baptismal Certificate at the start of their Confirmation classes and will need to have made their First Confession and First Holy Communion.
Parents of candidates will be asked to attend a meeting at the beginning of each year which will provide an overview of the process towards confirmation.
Confirmation: When the confirmation date has been set, all qualifying candidates will be required to attend a meeting with their chosen sponsors where the ceremony will be explained. A rehearsal will be held, usually the Friday night before the Confirmation Mass which is usually held on a Sunday at 3pm.
Patron Saint: Candidates will need to choose a saint’s name. This patron saint should have a relevance to the candidate and should provide a model of charity and the assurance of prayer, encouraging the Christian to use his or her gifts and talents fully for the glory of God, in the service of others and so that they may grow to be truly themselves.
Sponsors: A confirmation sponsor is a witness to the commitment the Confirmand is making to Christ. The sponsor presents the candidate to the Bishop and stands with him/her at the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
The sponsor needs to be : a person who is a practicing faith-filled Roman Catholic adult; a person who is able to relate in friendship to a teenager and is a good listener; a person who is willing to participate in the Confirmation process during the year by attending catechetical sessions and Mass with his/her candidate; a person who is willing to share his or her own experience of faith; sponsors must be at least sixteen years old, and be fully initiated Catholics, who have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist (it is customary for the baptismal sponsor to be the confirmation sponsor when possible); parents may not be sponsors for their sons and daughters.
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SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS

This is the sacrament by which, through the authority of the Church, the imposition of a bishop’s hands confers on a man the grace and spiritual power to celebrate the Church’s sacraments. There are three forms of this sacrament – deacon (diaconate), priest (presbyterate), bishop (episcopate).
Various titles in the church are :
Pope - The bishop of Rome, vicar of Christ on earth, successor of St. Peter, visible head of the whole Catholic Church.
Cardinal - An honorary title given to priests or bishops because of their important positions in the Church; Cardinals elect the new Pope.
Archbishop – bishop in charge of a large or important diocese called an archdiocese.
Bishop - Rules over the people and priests of his diocese; can give Confirmation and Holy Orders.
Monsignor - A priest gets this honorary title from the Pope because of his important position in the Church.
Priest - Diocesan priests work in a diocese; or religious priests belong to a religious order - like the Franciscans, Dominicans.
Monk - Monks live in a monastery, follow a strict rule under a superior - like the Benedictines and the Trappists; some are priests, others are brothers.
Brother - A religious who is dedicated to teaching, hospital work or contemplation; takes vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, but does not receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Sister - A religious who is dedicated to teaching, hospital or social work, or contemplation; takes vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and belongs to a religious order or community. Cloistered sisters are usually called nuns; loosely speaking, all sisters are often called nuns.
How do I find out about religious life? Please refer to our Vocations page (still under construction).
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SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person. It is also a public statement about God : the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God’s values.
It is a lifelong union of the opposite sexes, ending only with the death of one spouse. It excludes a union with any other person so long as the marriage exists.
Divorce, adultery and homosexual marriage are not compatible with this Sacramental marriage.
Catholics can only be considered validly married in the eyes of the Church when the spouses are free to marry, freely exchange their consent, have the intention to marry for life, be faithful to one another and are open to children, and that their consent is given in the presence of two witnesses and before a properly authorized Church minister.
Who can I marry in a Catholic Church? While both partners need not be practicing Catholics, both need to be baptized Christians and one must be Catholic. If one partner has been married before, he or she is only free to marry if his or her spouse has died or they have obtained a declaration of nullity from the Church. You need to declare whether or not you have been married before, even in a civil ceremony.   If marrying a non-Catholic, the Catholic must make a sincere promise to preserve his/her Catholic faith and to do all in his/her power to have any children born of the marriage baptised and brought up in the Catholic Church, and the non-Catholic must agree with this undertaking.
The Catholic Church does not recognize marriages which took place in a register office or civil setting as being valid in the eyes of the church, although valid in the eyes of the law. The Catholic Church recognizes the marriages of non-Catholics as valid as they cannot be bound by Catholic law.
The Church may deny a sacramental marriage to a Catholic who supports policies condemned by the Church (e.g. abortion).
Where can we marry? A marriage between Catholics is to be celebrated in the parish church of one of the spouses and, by permission, it may be celebrated in another church or other suitable place.
Nuptial Mass: This is a Mass which includes the celebration of the sacrament of marriage and is usual when two baptized Catholics receive the Sacrament of Marriage. A Nuptial Mass may be celebrated for a marriage between a Catholic and a baptized Christian, except that Communion is not given to the non-Catholic.
Marriage preparation: This offers couples the opportunity to develop a better understanding of Christian marriage; to evaluate and deepen their readiness to live married life; and to gain insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple. It is especially effective in helping couples to deal with the challenges of the early years of marriage. There are usually marriage preparation courses at the parish, but with the permission of the parish priest, you may attend outside marriage courses, including live-in weekends such as Engaged Encounter.
Contact your priest: The first step is to contact the parish priest – do not book any wedding venues or make any wedding preparations before doing this. It is strongly recommended that you do so at least six months before your marriage is to take place.
When you meet the priest, you will need for both yourself and your spouse: Baptismal Certificates (if either spouse is not Catholic, you will still need a Christening Certificate to prove they are a baptized Christian); Confirmation Certificates; Evidence of death or annulment if you have been married before; Certified copies of the identity documents of the prospective bride and groom; and Certified copies of the identity documents of the two official witnesses.
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SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK

The Sacrament of anointing of the sick, formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction, is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for physical, but also for mental and spiritual sickness.
Please consult the parish newsletters for details of healing Masses which are held from time to time at the parish where any parishioner may come up to the altar for anointing.
Anyone may ask for anointing from the parish priest and parishioners are asked to advise the parish office of anyone needing the sacrament of anointing.
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FUNERAL LITURGY

Amidst the legal requirements and emotional distress which follows a death of a loved one, one of the first things to do when a Catholic in your family or circle dies, is to inform your parish priest. Your priest will answer any questions you may have and guide you through the funeral preparations. His guidance is especially important if you are going to print an Order of Service for the occasion. He will guide you as to suitable funeral homes, hiring of organists, selecting the appropriate readings and Gospel reading, selecting suitable hymns, and arranging for a funeral tea at the parish if requested. Funerals are not allowed on certain feast days.
Who can have a Catholic funeral? A non-Catholic spouse who dies can have a Catholic funeral if they showed a particular attachment to the Catholic Church and requested a Catholic funeral.
Order of Service: As stated above, the priest will guide you in the Order of Service. The homily is primarily an exposition of Catholic faith in the Resurrection rather than a tribute to your loved one. If you wish someone to speak briefly about the deceased, this is more appropriate after Holy Communion, while secular music or readings should be left to the service at the cemetery or crematorium or to the funeral tea.
Catholics are not permitted to have addresses of a political nature at a funeral, and personal tributes should be restricted to the person’s qualities, should be in keeping with the religious nature of the occasion, and should be no longer than five minutes.
Cremation/Burial: Catholics may be cremated and you will need to arrange with your priest if you wish the priest to hold a service of prayer at the cremation/burial. If you wish to arrange for your loved one’s ashes to be interred in our Garden of Remembrance, please contact the parish office for details.
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STOLE AND MASS FEES

It is customary on the occasion of a Baptism, Marriage, Funeral, Mass Intention, for an offering to be made which goes towards supporting the Church, but no set amount is asked for – it can be a token amount or, dependent upon one’s depth of pocket, a generous amount.
No sacrament will be refused for lack of an offering.
If the offering is intended for the priest, and not the parish, this must be clearly designated.
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