02 4782 2804 | bluemountains@parracatholic.org
02 4782 2804
bluemountains@parracatholic.org
SACRAMENT PREPARATION SESSIONS 2022
1ST CONFESSION (Year 3 & above)1ST COMMUNION (Year 4 & above)CONFIRMATION (Year 5 & above)
1st Confession:
4 preparation sessions held Sundays 9am St Canice’s Parish Hall KatoombaRegister at 1st session Sunday 6th March
1st Confession Sunday 3rd April
1st Communion:
6 preparation sessions held in Term 2Dates TBA Please contact Parish Office (details below) end of Term 1
Confirmation:
6 preparation sessions held in Term 3Dates TBA Please contact Parish Office (details below) end of Term 2
Parish Office Contact details:Phone: 02 4782 2804Email: bluemountains@parracatholic.orgTo arrange for Sacraments of Baptism or Marriage please contact the Parish Office directly.
BAPTISM
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-2)."
"He who believes and is baptised will be saved (Mark 16:16)."
Baptism is a Sacrament instituted by our Lord which cleanses us from original sin and incorporates us into his Church, the family of God. Reborn as children of God, we are destined to confess before others the faith we have received from God through his Church.
Parents have a moral obligation to raise the child in the love of God and the practice of the holy and true Catholic faith. This includes teaching the child their prayers (such as the Our Father, Hail Mary and the Blessing before a meal), bringing them to Mass each and every Sunday and ensuring they later receive the sacraments of Penance, Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Sponsors (colloquially Godparents)contract a spiritual relationship with the person baptised and agree to assist and support the parents in the Catholic upbringing of the child, by word, action and good example.
Parents may choose up to two sponsors who are confirmed, practising Catholics over the age of 16. A Christian from another church or a Catholic who does not qualify may act as a witness to the baptism only as they are unable to carry out the duties proper to a sponsor.
If you would like your child to be baptisedplease call the parish office, 02 4782 2804, or email at bluemountains@parracatholic.org
Note: parents and sponsors are required to attend preparatory sessions before the baptism.
The Church asks parents and sponsors to make a serious promise to raise the child Catholic.
PENANCE
“Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained (John 20:2).”
“For if we sin wilfully after having the knowledge of the truth, there is now left no sacrifice for sins (Hebrew 10:26).”
Penance is a Sacrament in which the sins committed after Baptism are forgiven and the friendship of God is restored to the soul by means of the absolution given by the Priest when we confess our sins to him.
To view our Confession times please click here.
CONFIRMATION
“Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17).”
If your child has been baptised, they may receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Confirmation, is a strengthening of the gifts received at our Baptism and of our life in Christ. It more perfectly binds us to God’s Church and endows us by the Holy Spirit with special strength to spread and defend the faith, by word and deed, as true witnesses of Christ. The effects of Confirmation are an increase of sanctifying grace, the strengthening of our faith, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Confirmation Sponsor: A sponsor must be a confirmed practicing Catholic over the age of 16. They contract a spiritual relationship with the one being confirmed taking care that they behave as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfil the duties inherent in the Sacrament.
If you would like your child to be confirmedplease call the parish office, 02 4782 2804, or email at bluemountains@parracatholic.org
HOLY COMMUNION
“And he took bread, gave thanks, and broke it; and gave it to them, saying: “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).”
Holy Communion customarily crowns the Sacraments of Initiation, the others being Confirmation and Baptism. Holy Communion nourishes us for our transformation in Christ by receiving his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
For Mass and adoration times in our Parish please click here.
HOLY ORDERS
“For this reason, I remind you to fan into a flame the gift of God which is in you, through the laying on of my hands… [God] who has delivered us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus from all eternity (2 Timothy 1:6,9).”
Do you think that you may be “called” to serve God in the priesthood or religious life? Please click here for more information.
MARRIAGE
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate (Matthew 19:6).”
Christian spouses, in virtue of the sacrament of Matrimony, whereby they signify and partake of the mystery of that unity and fruitful love which exists between Christ and His Church, help each other to attain to holiness in their married life and in the rearing and education of their children.
By reason of their state and rank in life they have their own special gift among the people of God. From the wedlock of Christians there comes the family, in which new citizens of human society are born, who by the grace of the Holy Spirit received in baptism are made children of God, thus perpetuating the people of God through the centuries. The family is, so to speak, the domestic church. In it parents should, by their word and example, be the first preachers of the faith to their children; they should encourage them in the vocation which is proper to each of them, fostering with special care vocation to a sacred state.
Below are some guidelines to help with your wedding arrangements:
Procedures
- Request an appointment with a priest of our parish to preside at the wedding (47822804), unless you wish to invite another priest. Please do this at least six months in advance.
- For the interview with the priest bring along the following documents:
- Birth certificates and Passports of both parties.
- Baptismal Certificates from church(es) of baptism, issued within the past six (6) months.
Furthermore, eventually the following documents will also be required:
- Full names, Passport number(s) and tel. number(s) of two (2) witnesses.
- Certificate of completion of Marriage Preparation Course.
In addition, copies of the following documents might also be required, if applicable:
- Certificate(s) of any other previous marriage(s).
- Certificate(s) of any previous divorce(s).
- Certificate(s) of death of previous spouse(s).
- The Diocese requires couples to attend the Marriage Preparation Course. Places are limited, so please make enquiries six months to a year ahead. Details are available at https://parracatholic.org/pmp/
- For the wedding day proper, decide if your wedding is going to be celebrated within a Mass or a Service.
Church Expenses
To cover the utility costs of church maintenance a donation is requested. This is to be given to the parish office at least one (1) week before your wedding.
Flowers
Please consult with the Parish Office regarding flower arrangements (47822804).
Wedding Booklets
Many couples choose to provide wedding booklets, especially for their guests, who may be unfamiliar with the Catholic Rite of Marriage. If you wish to do so, do consult your priest on the accuracy of the text before sending it to the printers.
A good selection of prayers, scripture readings, the Marriage Rite, etc. can be found in the book Together for Life by Fr Joseph Champlin. http://togetherforlifeonline.com/author/josephchamplin/
Rehearsals
You are welcome to use the church for a rehearsal before your wedding. Please make the necessary arrangements with your priest.
Music
The parish does not provide the music for weddings. If you have a friend or relative who can provide music for your wedding, please feel free to ask them. Arrangements can be made for them to have a short practice on the Church organ.
Photography and Video Recording
You are free to choose anyone you wish for the photography or video recording of your wedding.
Please note that in order to maintain respect for the sacred spaces photographers may not enter the Sanctuary / Altar area during the ceremony.
If you wish to continue photo-taking in the church grounds after the wedding, please ensure that the bridal cars are cleared from the church entrance to facilitate the arrival of people for the next celebration.
Reception
If you wish to use the parish Hall for your wedding reception, please make your booking in advance through the parish office (02) 4782 2804. Terms and conditions apply.
If you have any questions or require further information, please contact the priest who will be presiding at your wedding.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
“Is anyone sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:14).”
The unction or anointing of the sick, is the Sacrament which, through the anointing and prayer of the priest, gives health and strength to the soul, and sometimes to the body, when we are in danger of death. By this Sacrament, the whole Church commends the sick to the suffering and glorified Lord, asking that He may lighten their suffering and save them.
If you or a loved one is in need of the assistance of a priest please be sure to ask the hospital for the chaplain on staff for the quickest support.
If you cannot reach the hospital chaplain or are homebound and in need of anointing, please call the parish office, (02) 4782 2894.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a catechumenate programme whereby adults are initiated into the Catholic Church, the family of God. Men and women are guided and cared for as they awaken in faith and are gradually introduced to the Catholic way of life and the truths of the faith that come from God.
If you are interested in joining the Catholic Church, registration forms are available from the parish office. For further inquiries please contact the parish office, (02) 4782 2804, or email at bluemountains@parracatholic.org