The Sacrament of Baptism
Dear Parents
Recently, we have been reviewing the sacrament of baptism here in the parish of St. John Henry Newman; this review has taken place with the baptism preparation team and the parish council. The findings of this review have concluded that, as a parish, we must take much more seriously the sacrament of Baptism and the support we give to parents who are thinking about having their child baptised.
Baptism is not just a matter of “getting the child done”! Nor is it just about a family celebration or getting a place in a Catholic School. Baptism is a SACRAMENT – a meeting with God, a moment when God’s power touches and changes the one being baptised, making them a new creation, a child of God and a member of the Church. For this reason, it is a serious decision for parents to make, since they promise before God and the Church to bring their child up in the faith they are choosing for them.
Parents will be expected to show some commitment to the Catholic Faith, and a willingness to deepen and develop their own practice. For this reason, there is a ‘journey’ of preparation it is not about booking a date and turning up.
No one buys a house without a lot of thought and reflection – and the same is true for buying a new car, a new job. Similarly, entering into a relationship, getting married, having children, these represent major commitments in our lives, and so we do not take them lightly. How much more thought and reflection should there be in choosing a religion for our child! Baptism is not a ‘one-day’ thing – it is about a life choice. Think for a moment about choosing a religion for yourself: you would be very aware of the consequences for your daily life. Now think the same thoughts for your child – realising that you will be responsible for your child’s religion for the next few years!
Having said that, the requirements for a child being baptised in the Catholic Church are fairly straightforward:
1. At least one parent must be a baptised Roman Catholic
You must be willing to bring your child up in the Catholic Church, by attending Mass each week.
2. You must live in the Parish.
We welcome parents and children attending Masses at the weekend either on Saturday at 6pm (St Patrick’s), or Sunday at 08:30am or 10.30am (St Mary’s) which fulfil the Sunday obligation. All Catholics are OBLIGED to attend Mass on Sundays.
When you attend Mass, please introduce yourself to Fr. Darren after Mass. After a few weeks of attending Mass, the admin team will contact you to arrange an appointment for both parents to meet with Fr Darren. At this meeting you will be able to arrange a date for the baptism. Proof of baptism for at least one parent must be provided as evidence of baptism in a Roman Catholic Church - this can be obtained from the church that you were baptised in by contacting the parish office and asking then to confirm your baptismal record via email.
Likewise, proof of baptism is required for the godparents, whether they be Roman Catholic or Church of England; a non-baptised person cannot be a godparent. One must be a baptised Catholic. Some Christian churches have naming or blessing ceremonies: this is not baptism. Only one Godparent is required, but there can be two. During the baptism service, godparents will have to make baptismal promises which include professing belief in the Christian faith as expressed in the Apostles’ Creed. They will also promise to try to live a good life.
There is no fee charged for administering the Sacrament. It is, however, customary to make a donation to the Church.
If you have any questions or we can be of any further help, please do not hesitate to contact the parish office either by phone 01524 410501 or via email sjhn.morecambe@lrcd.org.uk
And a voice spoke from heaven, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.’ Matthew 3:17
Jesus was baptised by John
The Sacrament of Confirmation
For several years the Diocese children making their first Holy Communion received the Sacrament of Confirmation at the same time. This has now changed and the Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated with young people in the second year of secondary school (Year 8). This will begin in the next academic year 2020-2021.
Preparation will be carried out in our Catholic schools. (The current Coronavirus pandemic may delay this.) Children in other schools will receive preparation in their own parishes. More details will be set out in due course.
The Sacrament of Marriage
God is love and those who live in love live in God and God lives in them (1 John 4:16)
We receive a large number of requests from couples wishing to get married at St John Henry Newman, often so many that we have to restrict the number to those who reside in the parish or those who have been involved in the parish through a ministry or volunteer organisation.
If you wish to get married in St John Henry Newman Parish
please contact the parish priest by phone 01524 410501
or email darren.carden@lrcd.org.uk to make an appointment.
About 12 months prior to the wedding a meeting with the parish priest or deacon should be arranged. During this meeting
The Church forms will be filled in.
Marriage as understood by the Church will be explained.
The wedding service will be prepared.
MARRIAGE SERVICE
The couple will be advised as to what type of service they may choose:
Nuptial Mass
A Nuptial Mass is when the Marriage Rite takes place during a Mass. This is appropriate when both parties are Catholics and most guests are Catholics.
Wedding Service
A Wedding Service includes all the prayers and readings which take place during Mass but the Eucharist is not celebrated (therefore there is no Holy Communion). This is appropriate when one of the parties is not a Catholic and the majority of the congregation are not Catholics.
A Wedding Service is in no way inferior to a Nuptial Mass.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE
You will be invited to attend a Marriage Preparation course. The Parish holds two courses at the beginning of the year which are led by married couples. If you cannot attend one of these courses you will be invited to go on one of the courses organised by the Diocese.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
The Catholic Church is required to observe the law of the land for any weddings which take place in a Catholic Church.
Register Office
You should give your notices at the Register Office where you have lived for the preceding eight days. If you live in Morecambe, the Register Office is at:
Morecambe Town Hall, Marine Road, Morecambe LA4 5AF
You will be given a marriage certificate which is a blue form. This allows the Church to perform the marriage ceremony. WITHOUT IT A WEDDING CANNOT TAKE PLACE.
Why do we have to give Notice of Marriage?
A Superintendent Registrar and Registrar, or an Approved Person, need to be present at all marriages. Our parishes have their own Approved Persons and will be informed of all the wedding that take place during the year.
Notice of Marriage—Cost?
There will be a fee payable to the Superintendent Registrar at the time of giving the Notice of Marriage.
Do we need to make an appointment?
Yes, to make an appointment, or for any other advice on marriage, you should telephone the Register Office directly on 0300 123 6705.
What information do we have to give to the Register Office?
When you give Notice of Marriage, you will need to give proof of: your name, your age, your nationality, confirmation of your address.
Current and valid passports (or Birth certificates with some other form of identification) are ideal for the first three points.
For confirmation of your address a utility bill or bank statement in your name, with your current address, dated within the previous six months is needed.
The Sacrament of the Sick
The Sacrament of the Sick conveys the healing power of the Lord, active in our Church today.
A SIGN OF LIFE
Some people have the idea that this sacrament is like the sign of death or approaching death or only offered when all hope is lost. In fact the reverse is true: it is a sign of life, the eternal life promised by Jesus Christ, here and now as well as in the future. Christ came to show us how we can have life to the full in whatever situation we find ourselves. His Spirit, active and dynamic in our sickness and frailty as well as in our health and strength, is a real presence. The sacrament of the sick confirms this in a tangible way.
ADVANCED YEARS
The frailty of old age is recognised too. An older person may not be seriously ill but the years do impose burdens upon the elderly which can be difficult to adjust to and which can make the older person feel isolated and at times lonely. Again this sacrament helps and strengthens the Christians in this stage of life so that they can continue to be an active part of the family of God, for older people have so much to offer younger Christians.
