The Catholic Church

Baptism is the sign of choosing, or being chosen, to follow the Christian life.  The usual way is the pouring of water over the head and the words said by the minister (usually a priest or deacon, but may be anyone who understands “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”).  This simple act and its accompanying prayer bring the baptised one into a union of life and prayer with Christ.

Arranging a Baptism In the first instance contact us at the Holy Family Office requesting to book a baptism at St Joseph's church.

• If you are asking on behalf of your baby/child then the first requirement is that you are a member of the parish and committed to the practice of your own Catholic faith.
• If you are asking for yourself to be baptised into the Catholic Church then you will need to follow the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) programme, which we can explain and arrange for you.

Baptism certificates are issued following the ceremony when details are entered in the parish register.  Proof of baptism will later be required and if certificates are mislaid duplicates can be obtained by contacting us with name, date of baptism and names of parents and Godparents. (If collection cannot be arranged, send a stamped addressed envelope to the parish house with all the above details).

Confirmation is a blessing with a holy oil, chrism, and becomes a gift of God’s Holy Spirit – a confirming of the life and blessing given in Baptism.  It may be given on the same day as the baptism (even to a baby) but is usually left to a later age when the person would understand better and make a personal free choice. The bishop is the usual minister of Confirmation.

Confirmation Programme This usually takes place every 3 years with the timing and duration of the preparation dependent on the date that our bishop is coming to confirm. Young people are first expected to write to the parish priest expressing their reasons for wanting to be confirmed before being accepted onto the programme.

Confirmation 2024

The Bishop has been booked to come to St Joseph's to confirm our young people on Friday 20th September 2024 at 7pm

2024 Preparation Programme

Young people wishing to prepare for the Sacrament in 2024 are invited to submit a letter asking to join the programme.

Update in view of Fr John's retirement:

We have all the letters so far submitted requesting confirmation. These young people have been accepted onto the programme and will be notified through the newsletter when preparation starts.

Holy Communion is receiving the food of the Christian life, Christ himself, under the signs of bread and/or wine.  This, too, may be given on the day of Baptism – the life and food of life together – but is usually at an age when there can be personal understanding.

Our Holy Communion Programme Each year (usually September/October) we begin our programme for the children who would like to make their first Holy Communion. Our Communion catechists take regular lessons which are parish and home based (and sometimes school). On completion  of the course a date for the celebration can then be arranged. At St Joseph's there is not just one Communion Day: families can choose a Sunday that best suits them.

Information on our 2024 programme

Reconciliation (Going to Confession) is the grace of hearing the forgiveness of God spoken in human words. This was Christ’s gift to the Apostles on the evening of the day of the Resurrection – they had heard him forgive in God’s name (one of the accusations of blasphemy made against him by the religious authorities) and he gave them the same wonderful gift to share with people: God’s forgiveness in human words.

Matrimony is the union in love of two lives.  The couple share/give the sacrament with/to each other.  The Church witnesses this new union of love in the person of a priest or deacon (or authorised person, depending on circumstances) and usually by the presence of witnesses required by Civil and Church law.  Of its nature, the marriage promise is for life.

Arranging a Marriage Ceremony In the first instance contact us to arrange an appointment to discuss requirements and dates for St Joseph's church.

Marriage Preparation Programme. It is expected that couples will join a local  Catholic programme as they prepare to make their wedding vows and we can advise you of the nearest centre hosting one of these courses.

Holy Orders is the Church’s invitation to those it ordains to carry on the mission of the Church, preaching the word of God (evangelisation) teaching the truths of the faith (catechesis), guiding to the fullness of sacramental life from the beginning (baptism) to life’s completion (anointing), the years of life and its key stages marked by sacramental moments.  Deacons, priests, bishops, the Pope are said to be “in Holy Orders” (cardinals usually are but for a long time a cardinal was simply an advisor or a favourite of a pope and consulted as a wise person or, sadly, favoured for political purposes).

Are you being called? If you would like to know more about a vocation to the priesthood, deaconate or religious life, do contact us and we can advise you where to find further information and put you in touch with someone to guide you.

Anointing is the Sacrament of the sick (Last Rites).  Its prayers accept the end of life may be near and becomes a preparation for meeting God, but also includes prayers for the sorrowing family who ask for the blessing of a healing.  We pray for a recovery or the grace to accept life has reached its completion.