Christening - Holy Baptism
It is through Holy Baptism (being Christened) that we become members of the Church. It is a Sacrament, a visible sign of God's love. It marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives and is the first step in our response to God's love. Baptism is an occasion when we rejoice in what Christ has done for us and to celebrate our hope that lies in him. We welcome all who live in our parish or worship at St Michael's to be baptised in the Christian Faith.
Baptism is also a time for making serious promises and declaring the Christian Faith. The Church welcomes the new Christian, promising support and prayer for the future. In Baptism, united with the whole Church throughout the world and down through the ages, we journey into the fullness of God's love.
Jesus said, 'I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.' (1 John10:10)
Baptism is not only for babies! Any un-Baptised person - of whatever age - wishing to live and grow in the Christian Faith may be baptised.
Please contact us for more details.
Baptism is also a time for making serious promises and declaring the Christian Faith. The Church welcomes the new Christian, promising support and prayer for the future. In Baptism, united with the whole Church throughout the world and down through the ages, we journey into the fullness of God's love.
Jesus said, 'I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.' (1 John10:10)
Baptism is not only for babies! Any un-Baptised person - of whatever age - wishing to live and grow in the Christian Faith may be baptised.
Please contact us for more details.
Baptism at St Michael's
If appropriate, baptisms take place during the Parish Mass when the Christian Community is gathered and able to welcome the new Christian. In some circumstances it may be deemed best to celebrate the Baptism at another time, most likely on a Sunday afternoon, usually at 2.30 pm.
It is usual and best that the Baptism takes place in the church of the parish where the person to be baptised lives, so that they can be welcomed to the Christian Community of which they will now be part. Occasionally babies from other parishes are baptised here by permission of their parish priest. Before approaching the clergy of another parish you should always ask your local parish priest first.
Baptism of older candidates who are able to answer for themselves is normally celebrated at the same service as Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
It is usual and best that the Baptism takes place in the church of the parish where the person to be baptised lives, so that they can be welcomed to the Christian Community of which they will now be part. Occasionally babies from other parishes are baptised here by permission of their parish priest. Before approaching the clergy of another parish you should always ask your local parish priest first.
Baptism of older candidates who are able to answer for themselves is normally celebrated at the same service as Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
Confirmation and First Holy Communion
When an infant/child is baptised, the parents and godparents promise on behalf of the child to bring that child up in the practice of the Christian Faith and when old enough to bring the child to the bishop to be confirmed.
CONFIRMATION
Like Baptism, Confirmation is a Sacrament and a Rite of Initiation. Indeed, it is the completion of the rite of Baptism. In confirmation the candidate must be able and willing to profess the faith and, in the case of someone already baptised, usually in infancy, to renew the vows made by their parents and godparents at their baptism.
First Holy Communion is usually received immediately after Confirmation.
A course of instruction is given to all candidates for Confirmation and to baptism candidates who are old enough to be able to understand. It is generally assumed that anyone who is to be baptised as an adult will also be confirmed, most likely at the same service by the bishop.
The Parish Priest is always happy to discuss Baptism and Confirmation with anyone who asks.
CONFIRMATION
Like Baptism, Confirmation is a Sacrament and a Rite of Initiation. Indeed, it is the completion of the rite of Baptism. In confirmation the candidate must be able and willing to profess the faith and, in the case of someone already baptised, usually in infancy, to renew the vows made by their parents and godparents at their baptism.
First Holy Communion is usually received immediately after Confirmation.
A course of instruction is given to all candidates for Confirmation and to baptism candidates who are old enough to be able to understand. It is generally assumed that anyone who is to be baptised as an adult will also be confirmed, most likely at the same service by the bishop.
The Parish Priest is always happy to discuss Baptism and Confirmation with anyone who asks.
The Eucharist - Holy Communion
At the very heart of Christian life and worship is the Eucharist.
Christ himself gave it to his disciples at the Last Supper on the night before he died on the cross. Giving the disciples Bread, he said, "Take and eat, This is my Body "Do this", he said, "in remembrance of me". And same with the Cup of wine - "This is my Blood. Do this in remembrance of me"
And on Easter Day, the disciples recognised the living Lord Jesus to be really present with them in "the breaking of the bread".
From that night in the Upper Room in Jerusalem and from the first Easter Day, in obedience to the Lord's command, with broken bread and wine outpoured, the Church has celebrated with devotion and thanksgiving the living memorial of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who saved the world from sin by his death and resurrection.
Christ himself gave it to his disciples at the Last Supper on the night before he died on the cross. Giving the disciples Bread, he said, "Take and eat, This is my Body "Do this", he said, "in remembrance of me". And same with the Cup of wine - "This is my Blood. Do this in remembrance of me"
And on Easter Day, the disciples recognised the living Lord Jesus to be really present with them in "the breaking of the bread".
From that night in the Upper Room in Jerusalem and from the first Easter Day, in obedience to the Lord's command, with broken bread and wine outpoured, the Church has celebrated with devotion and thanksgiving the living memorial of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who saved the world from sin by his death and resurrection.
The Seven Sacraments
Altogether there are seven Sacraments, Baptism is the first to be received and opens up the Christian life for those who receive it.
The others are:
Confirmation
The Eucharist (The Sacrament of Holy Communion)
Holy Matrimony (Marriage)
Holy Orders - The ordaining of Bishops, Priests and Deacons.
Reconciliation (or Confession, the Sacrament in which one confesses one's sins to God in the presence of his priest and through the priest, receive God's forgiveness.)
Holy Anointing The anointing of the sick with oil which has been blessed by the bishop to be the Oil of the Sick. Holy Anointing or Holy Unction was, in the past, reserved for the dying and was considered only as part of the 'Last Rites' (Extreme Unction). These days it once again has its full meaning as as sacrament for the living who need healing. The Letter of Saint James Ch. 5, verse 14-15 (New Testament):
' If anyone is sick, let him call on the elders of the Church. They shall pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer will save the sick person; the Lord will raise him up and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.'
Anointing also takes place as part of the sacraments of Initiation and Holy Orders.
Candidates for Baptism are anointed as part of their preparation.
In Infant Baptism this takes place as part of the Baptism rite.
The oil is known as the Oil of Catechumens.
A Catechumen is traditionally a Christian convert preparing for Baptism.
Also in Baptism the newly baptised are anointed with the Oil of the Holy Chrism, signifying salvation and the setting apart for the service of almighty God. The Holy Chrism is also used in Confirmation to mark a sealing with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
It is also the oil which is used in the ordination of Bishops and Priests and in the coronation of monarchs. The three types of the Holy Oils are blessed by the bishop at the 'Chrism Mass' during Holy Week, at which the clergy also renew their ordination vows.
The others are:
Confirmation
The Eucharist (The Sacrament of Holy Communion)
Holy Matrimony (Marriage)
Holy Orders - The ordaining of Bishops, Priests and Deacons.
Reconciliation (or Confession, the Sacrament in which one confesses one's sins to God in the presence of his priest and through the priest, receive God's forgiveness.)
Holy Anointing The anointing of the sick with oil which has been blessed by the bishop to be the Oil of the Sick. Holy Anointing or Holy Unction was, in the past, reserved for the dying and was considered only as part of the 'Last Rites' (Extreme Unction). These days it once again has its full meaning as as sacrament for the living who need healing. The Letter of Saint James Ch. 5, verse 14-15 (New Testament):
' If anyone is sick, let him call on the elders of the Church. They shall pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer will save the sick person; the Lord will raise him up and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.'
Anointing also takes place as part of the sacraments of Initiation and Holy Orders.
Candidates for Baptism are anointed as part of their preparation.
In Infant Baptism this takes place as part of the Baptism rite.
The oil is known as the Oil of Catechumens.
A Catechumen is traditionally a Christian convert preparing for Baptism.
Also in Baptism the newly baptised are anointed with the Oil of the Holy Chrism, signifying salvation and the setting apart for the service of almighty God. The Holy Chrism is also used in Confirmation to mark a sealing with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
It is also the oil which is used in the ordination of Bishops and Priests and in the coronation of monarchs. The three types of the Holy Oils are blessed by the bishop at the 'Chrism Mass' during Holy Week, at which the clergy also renew their ordination vows.
