Addiscombe Catholic Church - Our Lady of the Annunciation

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BAPTISM OF BABIES

Babies should normally be baptised in their own parish. Parents who wish to have their child baptised in a different parish should discuss this with their own parish priest as well as the priest in the parish where the baptism is to take place.

In Addiscombe, parents are asked to make an appointment to arrange the Baptism at least two months before the proposed date. (This appointment can take place before the child is born.) The parents will be invited to take part with other parents in a preparatory meeting, explaining the various parts of the Baptism rite. The priest will normally visit the parents shortly before the Baptism to finalise arrangements.

BAPTISM OF OLDER CHILDREN

If they are over the age of five, children require some simple instruction before they can be baptised. This will be arranged by the priest as necessary. Arrangements for Baptism will be made when the instruction is nearing completion.

FIRST COMMUNION FOR CHILDREN

Children who attend non-Catholic schools should begin attending catechism classes at the church in the September following their sixth birthday.

Children who are seven years old on 31st August can apply to make their First Holy Communion the following year. Applications are accepted from July to September. The programme of preparation begins in September and the First Communion is usually celebrated in June the following year. During the programme various meetings are arranged for parents to help them in the vital role they play in their child’s preparation for First Communion.

CONFIRMATION FOR JUVENILES

Young people from year 8 upwards may apply to be prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Information will be given at Mass and in the Newsletter before a new programme starts.

BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION AND FIRST COMMUNION FOR ADULTS - RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS (RCIA)

The RCIA programme is for adults who wish to become Catholics and also Catholic adults who have not received First Communion and/or Confirmation as children. The programme usually begins in May or June and culminates at the Easter Vigil the following year when the sacraments of Baptism (if necessary), Confirmation and First Communion are celebrated. However different arrangements can be made when necessary. Confirmed Catholics may also take part in the meetings of the RCIA programme as a way of deepening their faith and also supporting those who are preparing for the sacraments.

Sacrament of Marriage

In the Catholic Church marriages may only take place between to people who are free to marry in the sense that

they have not been married before

the partner from their previous marriage has died

their previous marriage has been annulled by the Church

Catholics should normally marry in their own parish or in the parish of one of the parties.

Those who wish to marry in a different parish should discuss this with their own parish priest as well as the priest of the parish in which they wish to marry.

Catholics who wish to marry in a non-Catholic church must ask a priest to apply for a dispensation from the bishop; they will be expected to undertake the same preparation as if they were marrying in a Catholic church.

Marriages should normally be booked before the end of the year preceding the year in which the marriage is to take place. A minimum of six months notice is required. To begin with, the couple should make an appointment with the priest to initiate the necessary paper work. Thereafter, they will be invited to take part in a ‘Day for Engaged Couples’; which usually takes place in the early part of each year.

Sacrament of the Sick and Pastoral Care of the Sick

Please inform the priests if you know of anyone who is sick so that a priest or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion may visit them to provide for their spiritual needs. See also Hospital Chaplaincy.

Funerals

Please always ask the undertaker to contact one of the priests before finalising any arrangements for a funeral.