CHRISTIAN INITIATION
‘The sacraments of Christian initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist – lay the foundations of every Christian life. “The sharing in the divine nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity”. ‘ (CCC 1212)
Baptism is the sacrament of spiritual rebirth. Through the symbolic action of washing with water and the use of appropriate ritual words, the baptised person is cleansed of all sins and made part of the Mystical Body of Christ, receiving the graces of the supernatural life. If you would like your child to be baptised then get in touch with the parish office and as long as either you or your partner is Catholic Fr Petroc will be able to help you.
First Holy Communion for children in Year 3 or above are invited to come along to classes, which begin in January each year and culminate during Easter with the children celebrating their first Holy Communion during mass at one of our parish churches. Children are supported by our catechists, and, importantly, parents, who must be willing to support their children on the preparation programme by bringing them to the weekly sessions, and to church on a regular basis.
If you are interested in enrolling your child for our next programme then please click here to fill in the application form.
If you are interested in enrolling your child for our next programme then please click here to fill in the application form.
Young people aged fourteen and over are invited to attend the Deanery Confirmation course, which is held each year in Crownhill's parish. Each year instruction is provided for candidates preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation: this is in-line with the directions of our bishop, Bishop Mark. The candidates are prepared, with the help of videos and selected reading material, to develop a deeper, broader understanding of the Catholic faith. The emphasis is based on Scripture and culminates in a greater awareness of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the confirmands, particularly the call to discipleship. The candidates are encouraged to ask questions on articles of belief, with which they are concerned, to enable these concerns to be addressed.Throughout the period of instruction, the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation, are explored to provide this deeper understanding in order that the candidates are better equipped to answer the call God makes upon them when confirmed.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is designed for adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully. (The rite) includes not simply the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, but also all the rites belonging to the catechumenate. Endorsed by the ancient practice of the Church, a catechumenate that would be suited to contemporary missionary activity in all regions was so widely requested that the Second Vatican Council decreed its restoration, revision, and adaptation to local traditions. (RCIA – Introduction 1-2)
Interested in finding out more? Contact Fr Petroc and he'll be able to tell you.
Interested in finding out more? Contact Fr Petroc and he'll be able to tell you.