Sacraments
Emmanuel - God With Us
‘Let us keep the flame of faith alive through prayer and the sacraments.’ Pope Francis
God, understanding our human nature, gives the Church the gift of the sacraments, visible signs of invisible graces. The sacraments manifest God’s love for us in tangible ways that we can experience. Through the sacraments he draws close to us. All sacraments are an encounter with Him.
Haslemere, Hindhead & Chiddingfold
Baptism
Congratulations on the birth of your child. The Church rejoices with you at the arrival of a new and unique person who is loved by God and created in his image.
God has given you a joyous gift. As parents, you will want the very best of everything for your child. You have probably spent a long time preparing for your child’s birth. You will have discussed together your plans for that child. Your life as a family takes on a different shape with this precious new addition.
​
​
​
​
Confirmation
Confirmation is one of the three Sacraments of Christian Initiation and establishes young adults as full-fledged members of the Church. The sacrament is called Confirmation because the faith given in Baptism is now confirmed and made strong.
​
During your Baptism, your parents and godparents make promises to renounce Satan and believe in God and the Church on your behalf. At Confirmation, you renew those same promises, this time speaking for yourself, and publically confirming your commitment to be active followers of Jesus Christ.
​
​
​
Reconciliation
Conscience, guilt and forgiveness are part of our human experience. The first sacrament of forgiveness is Baptism which washes away all sins of past life but, even after Baptism, we are imperfect and fail in many ways.
Reconciliation is the sacrament where forgiveness of sins is given to those who repent and do penance for their sins. It involves the confession of sins to the priest. Jesus gave priests the authority to minister this sacrament and forgive sins when he said to his disciples: As the Father has sent me, even so I send you...Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven, if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. (John 20:21-23)
Eucharist
The term "Eucharist" comes from the Greek "eucharistia" meaning thanksgiving. The Eucharist is also called communion because it brings us into union with God and each other. It is, therefore, the third Sacrament of Initiation. Unlike Baptism and Confirmation which are once only Sacraments, we continue to receive the Eucharist, throughout our lives, to nourish and sustain us.
By this sacrament your Grace unites man and woman in an unbreakable bond of love and peace.” (Marriage Rite)
Many congratulations on your decision to be married. The most important part of the preparation for Marriage in the Catholic Church is truly understanding the Sacrament.
​
"Notice of Intention to Marry:
For those of you considering marriage please be aware that this Diocese requires that you contact the parish in which you wish to be married 12 months beforehand, In order to begin the appropriate preparation and complete the required paperwork.
​
Priestly ordination is administered as a means of salvation, not for an individual, but rather for the whole Church.’ St Thomas Aquinas
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is conferred when a man is ordained priest by a bishop. Through this ordination, Catholic priests share in Jesus’ priesthood and can administer all of the sacraments through his power. This is referred to as the priest acting ‘in persona Christi’, meaning ‘in the person of Christ’. Deacons also receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders when they are ordained to also serve the Church and administer some of the sacraments.
‘The priest continues [Christ’s] work of redemption on earth.’
St John Vianney
​
​
In the Parish, we hold an annual Anointing of the Sick Mass. Details about this will be given in the newsletter or contact the parish office.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick can also be arranged by appointment with the parish priest.
If you are going into hospital, please let the parish office know if you would like a visit. The Catholic chaplain at the hospital or our parish priest will come and visit you. We will also arrange for any other ongoing requirements, such as for Holy Communion to be brought on a regular basis if someone is no longer able to get to Mass.
​