SACRAMENTS

“Christ now acts through the sacraments he instituted to communicate his grace. The sacraments are perceptible signs (words and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace that they signify.”

THE SACRAMENTS ⸻

BAPTISM

The usual church for Baptism is the parish church of the family whose baby is to be baptised.

Most parishes offer baptismal preparation and the opportunity to meet parishioners and other families with children for baptism. This enables those seeking baptism to feel part of the parish community and heightens the significance of the baptism being celebrated in the local parish community.
Where for some good reason, the family is seeking to celebrate the baptism outside their parish church, the permission of their Parish Priest needs to be obtained and given to the celebrant of the baptism.

Godparents share in the responsibility with the parents, of introducing to, instructing in, supporting and forming the Catholic faith in their godchildren. For this reason, parents need to take great care in choosing godparents and take into account in their choice the commitment to and practice of the Catholic faith and preparedness of the godparents to be involved in the faith development of the child for whom they are accepting this responsibility. Because of the importance of the godparent’s role as a model and mentor of the Catholic faith, one godparent must be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the Eucharist, at least sixteen years of age, and who lives out a life worthy of the role that he is about to undertake. It is permissible for a baptised Christian who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community to participate together with the Catholic godparent, and then only as a witness of the baptism. It is not possible for an unbaptised person to act as godparent or witness.

To have their child baptised, a parent needs to do the following:

  1. Make an appointment with the parish secretary during office hours to meet the Parish Priest.
  2. Attend the Baptism Program on Second Wednesday night of every month at 7pm in the church.

 On the day of baptism, a parent needs to:

  1. Bring along one baptism candle (per child)
  2. Dress child in white.
THE SACRAMENTS ⸻

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation is one of the Sacraments of Initiation, which lead us into full membership of the Catholic Church. It completes promises made at Baptism, often by parents on our behalf. Current practice in the Archdiocese of Perth is that Confirmation is given to children in Yr 6 or older after suitable preparation. A baptised person who has received First Eucharist may be confirmed. For adults being received into the church, please see RCIA (link tab) for correct details.

Like Baptism, Confirmation can only be given once. In the Rite of Confirmation, candidates renew their Baptismal promises and through the Laying of Hands and Anointing with the Oil of Chrism, the gifts of the Holy Spirit received at Baptism are strengthened and sealed. The first Confirmation was when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles at Pentecost ( Acts 8). As each Bishop is a successor to the Apostles, the church has stressed this connection via the Bishop as celebrant unless delegation is given to the Parish Priest. The Oil of Chrism, which is used, is blessed each year by the Bishop, which retains the link between parish and bishop when a delegated priest confers the Sacrament.

 REQUIREMENTS

  • The parish follows the mandated Archdiocesan policy of family-focused, parish based, Catholic school and PREP supported.
  • In the parish of St Vincent, candidates must register with the parish via the Sacrament Coordinator (details below)
  • Candidates must be baptised and have already received the Sacraments of Penance (First Reconciliation) and Eucharist ( First Communion)
  • Children participate in an approved learning programme, either at a Catholic school in Year 6 class or in the Parish RE Programme (PREP). Classes for PREP are held every Saturday during Terms One to Three.
  • Confirmation candidates traditionally choose a Saint who inspires them as their Confirmation name, used in the Rite during Candidates also choose a sponsor/s. Sponsors can be godparents to retain the link with Baptism  or another significant person in their lives who will guide them. The sponsor must be Catholic, over the age of 16 and confirmed. Parents can not be sponsors.
  • Dates are advised each year, it includes
    • General Sacrament meeting for parents,
    • Parent/child workshop
    • Retreat
    • Visit by the Archdiocesan celebrant or Parish priest
THE SACRAMENTS ⸻

EUCHARIST

Eucharist or Communion is a Sacrament we can receive often – every time we celebrate Mass or attend a Communion service. It is one of the Sacraments of Initiation by which we become full members of the church.

We gather as a community of faithful to worship, give thanks and praise to God and receive spiritual nourishment. The Liturgy has two main parts: Liturgy of the Word, which prepares us for Liturgy of the Eucharist. It is a celebration with many familiar elements – gathering together as a family, sharing memories and stories, eating and drinking and giving thanks. In our own families and in our parish family there is a strong sense of belonging and community. As we recall the events of the Last Supper (Luke 22: 14 – 20) when Jesus instituted the Eucharist, we relive those events.

 

We begin the Mass by asking forgiveness in the Penitential Rite before listening to the Liturgy of the Word, which the priest explains in the Homily. We recite the Creed and the community offers prayers. We begin the Liturgy of the Eucharist with the gifts of bread and wine, which we offer. The priest uses the same words as Jesus used when he consecrates the ordinary bread and wine, which become the Body and Blood of Christ. Jesus becomes the gift we receive to give us spiritual strength. We become one with God and the members of our community, hence the word “communion”. We are dismissed from Mass to “love and serve the Lord “

 REQUIREMENTS

  • The parish follows the mandated Archdiocesan policy of family-focused, parish based, Catholic school and PREP supported.
  • In the parish of St Vincent, candidates must register with the  parish via the Sacrament Coordinator (details below)
  • Children must be baptised and have received the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation)
  • Children participate in an approved learning programme, either at a Catholic school in Year 4 class or in the Parish RE Programme (PREP). Classes for PREP are held every Saturday during Terms One to Three.
  • Dates are advised each year, it includes
    • General Sacrament meeting for parents,
    • Parent/child workshop
    • Retreat