• For information about how to celebrate the Sacraments in St Mary's Parish please contact the presbytery on

    01473 728115

    The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians.

    They are special celebrations for experiencing God’s love, grace and mercy.

Sacraments

  • For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church’s way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God.

    For children and young people under 8 years old please speak to Fr Jude after any Mass in the parish to arrange your child's baptism celebration. Some preparation is needed and they will be able to arrange the date and time with you for your child's baptism. A donation to the church is also requested.

  • Confirmation is a Catholic Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts.

    It is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation for Catholics. It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

    We normally ask that parents initially approach Fr Jude after any Mass that they attend. We have a dedicated team of catechists leading this wonderful and exciting programme.

  • Catholics believe the Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe in the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins.

    As we receive Christ’s Body and Blood, we also are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God.

    Please do see Fr Jude after any Mass if your child is due to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The parish normally opens the enrolment mid-July and ends first week of September. Programme runs from first weekend of September until the Sunday before the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ the following year.

  • Known in St Mary's as the Journey of Faith is a series of sessions for young people and Adults who seek full membership of the Catholic Church. The course runs from September to after Easter each year.

    It is open to all who wish to discover what the Church is about and what we believe as Catholics, and offers preparation to those not yet baptised and to those already baptised in other Christian Churches.

    The Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist will be celebrated each year at the Easter Vigil, on Holy Saturday evening, the night before Easter Sunday.

    The sessions are normally held twice a month on a Wednesday evening for an hour and fifteen minutes in the Parish Hall. Catholics or those who may feel the need to discover more about their faith are also welcome to attend.

  • The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Penance, or Penance and Reconciliation) has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. In it we find God’s unconditional forgiveness; as a result we are called to forgive others.

    For our children preparing for First Holy Communion they will also celebrate their First Confession as part of their preparation

    Confessions are available in St Mary's after the 9.30am Mass on Saturday mornings and 5pm every Friday with Adoration & Benediction, and in Holy Family & St Michael's from 5pm - 5.45pm on Saturday evenings.

  • 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.

    Preparation for Marriage is available for all couples seeking to get married in either St Mary's or Holy Family & St Michael's. 6 month notice of marriage is usually needed. Please speak to Fr Jude after any Mass that you attend for more information.

  • In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a bishop, priest or deacon is ordained after a period of formation.

    They are called and chosen by the church, through the power of the Holy Spirit to lead other Catholics by a life of prayer, celebrating the sacraments and proclaiming the Gospel.

    Please speak to Fr Jude, who is also a member of the Vocations Team of the Diocese of East Anglia after any Mass you attend. He will then give you more information about discernment and vocation.

  • The Catholic 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 and is open to all who ask for healing, and for all ages.

    Please email Fr Jude or Kathy, our parish secretary if this Sacrament is needed. In an emergency, please ring the Parish Telephone Number: 01473 728115. Otherwise, please speak to Fr Jude or Deacon Chris after any Mass that you attend and they will arrange for yourself or your loved one to receive this Sacrament of healing.