The seven sacraments are Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage and Holy Orders. They are divided into three categories: sacraments of initiation, sacraments of healing and sacraments of service.
1) SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION
BAPTISM
Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Mt 28:1
Baptism is the first of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. Baptism brings the individual to a new life in Christ and to membership of the Church.
To have a child baptised at Mother of God at least one parent and one Godparent should be a baptised practising Catholic.
Parents wishing to arrange baptism for their first child are required to attend a preparation session.
To arrange a baptism talk to Fr Kilgannon telephone: 0114 2550827; email: [email protected]
CONFIRMATION
He breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit”. Jn 20:22
Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation into the Christian Church.
At Mother of God a preparation course for Confirmation takes place every two years. It is aimed at children in secondary school, first and second years upwards. Anyone wishing to be confirmed who does not fall into this age bracket should talk to Fr Kilgannon, telephone: 0114 2550827; email: [email protected]
EUCHARIST
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him. Jn 6:56
Eucharist is one of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. It is the sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood instituted at the Last Supper.
At Mother of God first communion is normally made in Y3 following preparation at St Wilfrid’s School. Parents of older children, and adults who wish to make their first communion should talk to Fr Kilgannon telephone: 0114 2550827; email: [email protected]
2) SACRAMENTS OF HEALING
RECONCILIATION
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. Jn 20:23
The sacrament of Reconciliation is also called Penance or Confession.
At Mother of God first Confessions are normally made in Y3, prior to first Communion, and an appropriate preparation course is run in tandem with the preparation for first Communion.
Anyone wishing to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation the first time who is not in this age group should talk to Fr Kilgannon telephone: 0114 2550827; email: [email protected]
SACRAMENT OF SICK
If one of you is ill, he should send for the elders of the church and they must anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord and pray over him… if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:14-15
The Sacrament of the Sick confers special grace to Christians who are suffering the hardships that come with sickness or old age.
Members of the faithful who are in some danger of death through sickness or old age may be anointed. This sacrament is not just for those on the point of death. This sacrament can also be received several times, either if a person recovers from one illness and then subsequently falls ill again or if an existing condition (for which they have already been anointed) gets worse.
Anyone who believes that either they or someone they know should receive the sacrament of the sick should contact Fr Kilgannon telephone: 0114 2550827 email: [email protected]
3) SACRAMENTS OF SERVICE
HOLY ORDERS
And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Eph 4:11-12
Priests are called to serve the community through teaching, divine worship and pastoral leadership. Ministerial priesthood is conferred by the sacrament of Orders. The religious life is a life of contemplative prayer. It is normally lived as a member of a community of monks or nuns who have taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to the community way of life.
Anyone who thinks they may have a vocation to the priesthood or the religious life should speak to Fr Kigannon telephone: 0114 2550827; email: [email protected]
MATRIMONY
For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will live with his wife. The two will become one. So they are no longer two but one. Let no man divide what God has put together. Mark 19:5-7
Matrimony (or Marriage) is a holy sacrament of service. It allows a man and a woman to promise to give their lives and their love freely to one another, with the help of God and the community, who are called to witness this joyous celebration.
Anyone who wishes to marry at Mother of God should give at least six months’ notice in order to complete the necessary paperwork and to attend a marriage preparation course.
To arrange a marriage please talk to Fr Kilgannon telephone: 0114 2550827; email: [email protected]
