St Mary's Pastoral and Sacramental Programme
Parents asking for the baptism of their child will participate in a two session course in preparation. The course is designed to include the participation of godparents, at least one of whom must be a practising Catholic. Baptisms are celebrated at the 11 o'clock mass on the first Sunday of each month, though they could be celebrated at any Saturday 6pm, Sunday 9am, Sunday 5pm mass by arrangement.
Programme leaders: Colin and Melanie Holce
Telephone 01925 860576. E-mail: colin.holce@yahoo.co.uk
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). This programme is for children aged seven and above. It starts after the Feast of All Saints and meets every week for six weeks. Children will make their First Confession just before Christmas in a Reconciliation Service that will include family and friends. The children are encouraged to make Confession a regular part of their lives after making their First Confession.
Programme leaders: Peter and Alison Kahn
Telephone 01925 727759. E-mail: kahn@talktalk.net
Children who haven't made their First Holy Communion are welcome to join Little Church. They are asked to come forward at the beginning of the 11 o'clock mass and will be accompanied by two adults. They are guided through the readings of the day and work on projects related to the readings. The work they've done is brought in before the offertory then presented. This happens on alternate weeks so that the children get to experience both the child friendly context of Little Church, and the full community celebration of the Liturgy.
Programme leader: Jane Wright
Telephone 01925 417983. E-mail: jane.fawcett@fsmail.net
This programme is for children aged seven and above who have made their First Confession. The programme begins on the morning of the first Saturday of Lent each year with a Reconciliation Service, followed by one further session on a Saturday morning in Lent. These sessions are followed by a pilgrimage to Holywell in North Wales, usually with the childrens' families, on a Saturday afternoon after Easter. The programme then meets on the six Monday evenings before the Feast of Corpus Christi. The children make their First Communion on the Feast of Corpus Christi.
Programme leaders: Peter and Alison Kahn
Telephone 01925 727759. E-mail: kahn@talktalk.net
This course is designed for Non-Catholics wanting to learn more about the Catholic Faith, as well as those who think they may want to be received into the Catholic Church. The course meets weekly, beginning in October or November and ending at Easter. The course also caters for adults who have missed out for whatever reason on the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation or have not yet made their first Holy Communion.
Programme leader: Father William
Telephone 01925 635664. E-mail: william@ampleforth.org.uk
For youngsters this is normally organised by the school that they attend. Youngsters not attending a Catholic school should consult with Fr William to see if provision can be made. Adults who have not yet been confirmed would join the RCIA programme as detailed above.
Marriage is preceded by a preparation course that meets once a month. This is open to engaged couples or to a man and a woman who are discerning whether they are being called to Marriage. Catholic couples who have contracted a civil marriage only are not yet validly married in the eyes of the Church and should seek to have their marriage "convalidated". This course is also for them.
Couples are strongly advised not to set a date for their wedding until they are well underway with this course. The date for the wedding will then need to be discussed and agreed with the parish priest.
Programme leaders: Edward and Emma Wilkinson
Telephone 01925 262456. E-mail: emjwilkinson@hotmail.co.uk