THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

To be baptised in the Catholic Church means more then being sprinkled with water on one’s head and receiving a Christian name. The word ‘Baptism’ comes from a Greek word that means to ‘plunge’ or ‘immerse’. To ‘plunge’ someone in water represents the person dying, being buried and resurrecting with Christ as a ‘new being.’

What you will need in Preparation for your Child’s Baptism

1) Request for Baptism will only be confirmed when the application form is completed.

2) A copy of the child’s Birth Certificate is necessary to prove identity.

3) Godparents must be Baptised in the Catholic Faith, be a minimum sixteen years of age, have been Confirmed, and be practising members of the Catholic Church.  (Should  parents seek one Godparent from a non-Catholic background then they will be included as “A Christian Witness”).

4) Parents are asked to provide a NEW Baptismal Candle for each child.  A white garment is also required.

5) Where a Baptism is transferred from a different Parish, a letter of permission from that Parish Priest of that Parish is necessary.

Notes for parents – BAPTISM-NOTES-FOR-PARENTS

WHAT IS THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ.

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘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).

How to Go to Confession

PREPARATION: Before going to confession, the penitent compares his or her life with the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the example of Christ, asking the Holy Spirit to show them their own particular sins. There are lots of Examinations of Conscience, and even a mobile phone app.

GOING TO CONFESSION:

Begin by making the Sign of the Cross with the priest and say:

“Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been (state how long) since my last confession.

These are my sins.”

Tell your sins simply and honestly to the priest. You might even want to discuss the circumstances and the root causes of your sins and ask the priest for advice or direction.  You have to confess mortal sins in number and kind as best as you are able.  If you want to write them down or use a phone app to help you remember, that is fine.  Don’t be afraid – the priest is a sinner too.  Don’t be worried – the priest can’t tell anyone what you tell him, as he is in this moment an agent of God’s grace. 

When you are finished say: “I am sorry for these sins and all the sins I cannot remember.”  The truth is there are usually more.  This is also a good way to let the priest know you aren’t just trying to recollect something else. 

Listen to the priest and accept the penance from him.  Penances are things we do to begin again, and to show God we are sorry – prayers, reflections or works of charity.  Write it down on the back of one of the Act of Contrition copies if you need to.

Pray the Act of Contrition.  There are lots of different versions, or you can make up your own as long as it contains the essential elements – sorrow for sin and resolve to sin no more. 

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.  In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.  

Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. 

 Receive Absolution.  The priest will pray the prayer through which your signs are forgiven by the grace of God.  Make the sign of the Cross when the priest says, “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

The priest will then conclude with the words: “Go in Peace”.           

You respond: “Thanks be to God.”

The grace of Confession is absolution of sins, as we are also raised up by God’s love and mercy to begin again in His grace. 

Confession Times:

St Connell’s Church, Glenties

Friday before 7:30pm Mass

Teach Pobail Cholmcille Naofa, Baile na Finne

Saturday after 7:30pm Mass

THE HISTORY OF FIRST COMMUNION

Until the thirteenth century, the usual practice was for infants and children to receive First Communion immediately after baptism. This was normally done by administering a drop of Precious Blood to the infant or by the priest dipping his thumb in the chalice and then placing his thumb in the infant’s mouth. At Masses small children were often given the fragments of hosts that were left over after the adults had received Communion.

This practice in the Western Church generally died out by the thirteenth century, and the Eucharist was given only to those who had reached the “age of discretion” and had gone to confession.

First Holy Communion is most often celebrated by children around the age of seven or eight, when they have reached the age of reason and are capable of participating in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. First Holy Communion is to be preceded by the sacraments of baptism and reconciliation.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS

For Children who will be preparing to receive the Sacrament of Penance and First Holy Communion, many programmes feature beautifully illustrated Scripture stories to help introduce the children to the Eucharist in the context of the Mass, and will motivate them to build a firm foundation for their initiation into these two sacraments.

First Holy Communion is normally received during their time in Second Class (7/8 years).

Should the church be a different church in which the child was Baptised, you will need to provide a copy of a Baptism Certificate.

To share in Communion for the first time children must have “sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so as to understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity” (Code of Canon Law 913).

They must also be able to receive communion “with faith and devotion” (Code of Canon Law 913).

Children should understand the mystery of Christ “according to their capacity.” They should come to the Altar with a spiritual disposition.

“Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1457).

Children and their parents are expected to attend Mass frequently (weekly).

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION RESOURCES

Worksheet 1-2  Download

Worksheet 2-1 Download

Worksheet 3-1 Download

Resource from – www.icatholic.ie

CONFIRMATION IN FAITH

Confirmation, like Baptism and the Eucharist is, is one of the three sacraments of initiation of the Catholic Church. As the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples who were gathered in the upper room at Pentecost, so the Holy Spirit comes to every baptised person for whom the Church requests the gift of the Holy Spirit. It secures and strengthens him to be a living witness to Christ.

WHO CAN RECEIVE?

Any baptised Catholic wishing to advance on the path of developing their faith. For young people, this is usually part of the 5th/6th class primary school programme. For adults who were not confirmed as children, it means taking part in the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)

SPONSOR

A sponsor stands behind the candidate for Confirmation at the Confirmation ceremony and places their hand on the shoulder of the candidate as a sign that they will support them in living out their baptismal promises. However, the role of the sponsor is not just for one day. The sponsor undertakes to assist the confirmed person in growing in the fullness of their faith and in their membership of the Catholic Church.

A person qualifies as a sponsor by being a reasonably mature Catholic adult, who is at least 16 years old, and has already received the Sacraments of Initiation, (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) themselves. The Confirmation sponsor may be one of the people who were a sponsor at Baptism (subject to the notes here).

CHOOSING A SPONSOR

(Ref. Code of Canon Law §874) To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must: Be appointed by the candidate, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest or the minister; to be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it; be not less than sixteen years of age, unless a different age has been stipulated by the diocesan Bishop, or unless the parish priest or the minister considers that there is a just reason for an exception to be made; be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken.

NAME

The tradition of taking a new name at Confirmation emphasises the new identity of a Christian being called to witness to their faith. People are encouraged to take the name of a saint or a person from the Bible who inspires them in some way.

OIL

The oil used is called the Oil of Chrism. It is olive oil mixed with balsam that is blessed by the bishop and priests of the diocese in the Cathedral at the ‘Chrism Mass’ on Holy Thursday. The Sacrament is conferred with the anointing with this ‘Oil of Chrism’ on the forehead as the Bishop says ‘Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit’.

Resources :

Confirmation (short)
A Rite of Passage
Preparation involves everyone
Confirmation (long)
Questions and Answers (Tweeting with God)

WHEN WE ARE SICK OR DYING WE MUST FACE THE FACT OF OUR MORTALITY. IN THIS TIME OF DIFFICULTY JESUS DOES NOT ABANDON US.

The parish wish to offer every possible support to you or your loved one who is ill. The Sacraments of Holy Communion, Confession and Anointing of the Sick are a wonderful source of grace and healing and the priests of the parish are happy to visit your loved one who is sick. The Sacrament of Anointing is not only for those who are seriously ill but can be received by the infirm, those in advanced years, or anyone prior to surgery.

The sacrament calls upon God’s healing and loving presence, it brings comfort, peace and courage.

If you wish a priest to visit please contact the parish pastoral office or the priests directly.

EUCHARIST TO THE HOUSEBOUND

The local Priest brings Holy Communion to the sick and housebound of the Parish on a monthly basis.   If you or you know of someone who is unable to attend Mass due to illness or frailty would like to receive the sacraments in your/their home, please contact the Parish Pastoral Office, Tel: 074 9551117.

WHAT IS THE SACRAMENT OF THE SICK?

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is exactly what it says. It is a prayerful celebration for someone or for a group of people who are ill and are blessed by the priest with Holy Oil. It is not a sign that someone is dying as it was perceived in olden times. It is not a magical ritual; the person doesn’t automatically get better immediately after an anointing. God’s healing and loving presence are called upon that the sick person might be raised up and restored to health.

MARRIAGE

Marriage is different to most of the Sacraments which are conferred by a priest, or bishop. The man and woman confer the Sacrament of Marriage upon each other when they express their consent to marry before God and the Church.

As a Sacrament Marriage is part of the Church’s liturgy. Jesus taught that marriage is indissoluble: “Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate” (Matthew 19:6). Through the sacrament of Matrimony, the Church teaches that Jesus gives the strength and grace to live the real meaning of marriage. In the writings of St Paul:  “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her” (Ephesians 5:25–26).

There are a number of requirements of both the Church and the State that must be satisfied when proposing to get married in church. The guidelines in this page are offered only by way of assistance – if you have any queries please contact your local parish and / or Civil Registration Office directly.  We are reluctant to take bookings for marriages over the phone or via email.  It is preferable for a couple to meet face to face with the priest concerned in the parish.

Firstly, you must contact a priest of the parish / Parish Office to discuss the date of your wedding in a particular church in the Parish and make sure that it is available. You must also arrange to meet the priest you are inviting to be the celebrant of your marriage and ensure his availability on the day and that he is a Official Solemniser in the eyes of the State. Every couple marrying in the Catholic Church is required to give the Church a minimum of three months notice of their intention to marry.

Guidelines for Getting Married.

In preparing for your wedding you need to complete the following:

Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form (Church Documents).  Each party must complete a Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form with the priest of the parish or his representative.  This is the parish in which you have CURRENT RESIDENCE/DOMICILE as opposed to the parish of your birth.

The Church has a set form that all people wishing to get married in the church need to complete. You need to complete this paperwork with the priest in the parish you are currently living in, and have been for six months or more.

To complete the form you will also need:

• An up to date copy of your Baptismal Certificate from the parish in which you were baptised, that is, issued within six months of the date of your wedding. The baptismal Certificate will be available from the parish in which you were baptised.
• An up to date copy of your Confirmation Certificate  (sometimes this may included as one certificate along with that  off your Baptism).
• A Letter of Freedom from any other parishes you lived in since you reached the canonical age for marriage (18 years). This letter states that you did not marry while in that parish. In some cases, you may be asked for a sworn affidavit to prove you have never been married before.

The Civil Registration Act (2004) requires that all couples must also give at least three months notice of their intention to marry to a Civil Registrar in person. In order to do this couples must contact a Registrar at a Civil Registration Office beforehand to make an appointment. While only three months’ notice is required by law, couples are advised to contact the Registrar as soon as possible  before their intended date of marriage to ensure they can get a timely appointment. The contact details of the local Civil Registration Offices are as follows:

Civil Registration Office, Letterkenny,

Tirconnaill House, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Opening Hours : 9.15am – 4.30pm Mon-Fri Open Thurs to 7.30pm

Contact : +353 74 912 3771

Civil Registration Office, Stranorlar,

Primary Care Centre, Stranorlar, Co Donegal

Opening Hours : 9.30am – 1.30pm and 2pm – 4:45pm Mon-Fri

Contact : +353 74 918 9554

THE PRIESTHOOD AND THE PERMANENT DIACONATE

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the continuation of Christ’s priesthood, which He bestowed upon His Apostles; thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to the Sacrament of Holy Orders as “the sacrament of apostolic ministry.”

“Ordination” comes from the Latin word ordination, which means to incorporate someone into an order. In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a man is incorporated into the priesthood of Christ, at one of three levels: the episcopate, the priesthood, or the diaconate. If you have an interest in finding out more about the path to priesthood or the permanent diaconate in the Archdiocese of Dublin, you are very welcome to contact our Diocesan Vocations Director.
Read more…
Religious Life www.catholicireland.net/orders

FAQ – Holy Orders
What is the sacrament of Holy Orders?
It is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time.

Why is this sacrament called Holy Orders?
Orders designates an ecclesial body into which one enters by means of a special consecration (ordination). Through a special gift of the Holy Spirit, this sacrament enables the ordained to exercise a sacred power in the name and with the authority of Christ for the service of the People of God.

What place does the sacrament of Holy Orders have in the divine plan of salvation?
This sacrament was prefigured in the Old Covenant in the service of the Levites, in the priesthood of Aaron, and in the institution of the seventy “Elders” (Numbers 11:25). These pre-figurations find their fulfilment in Christ Jesus who by the sacrifice of the cross is the “one mediator between God and man” (1 Timothy 2:5), the “High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 5:10). The one priesthood of Christ is made present in the ministerial priesthood. “Only Christ is the true priest, the others being only his ministers.” (Saint Thomas Aquinas)

What are the degrees that make up the sacrament of Holy Orders?
The sacrament of Holy Orders is composed of three degrees which are irreplaceable for the organic structure of the Church: the episcopate, the presbyterate and the diaconate.

What is the effect of episcopal ordination?
Episcopal ordination confers the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders. It makes the bishop a legitimate successor of the apostles and integrates him into the episcopal college to share with the Pope and the other bishops care for all the churches. It confers on him the offices of teaching, sanctifying, and ruling.

What is the office confided to a Bishop in a particular Church?
The bishop to whom the care of a particular Church is entrusted is the visible head and foundation of unity for that Church. For the sake of that Church, as Vicar of Christ, he fulfils the office of shepherd and is assisted by his own priests and deacons.

What is the effect of ordination to the priesthood?
The anointing of the Spirit seals the priest with an indelible, spiritual character that configures him to Christ the priest and enables him to act in the name of Christ the Head. As a co-worker of the order of bishops he is consecrated to preach the Gospel, to celebrate divine worship, especially the Eucharist from which his ministry draws its strength, and to be a shepherd of the faithful.

How does a priest carry out his proper ministry?
A priest, although ordained for a universal mission, exercises his ministry in a particular Church. This ministry is pursued in sacramental brotherhood with other priests who form the “presbyterate”. In communion with the bishop, and depending upon him, they bear responsibility for the particular Church.

What is the effect of the ordination to the diaconate?
The deacon, configured to Christ the servant of all, is ordained for service to the Church. He carries out this service under the authority of his proper bishop by the ministry of the Word, of divine worship, of pastoral care and of charity.

How is the sacrament of Holy Orders celebrated?
The sacrament of Holy Orders is conferred, in each of its three degrees, by means of the imposition of hands on the head of the ordained by the Bishop who pronounces the solemn prayer of consecration. With this prayer he asks God on behalf of the ordained for the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit and for the gifts of the Spirit proper to the ministry to which he is being ordained.

Who can confer this sacrament?
Only validly ordained bishops, as successors of the apostles, can confer the sacrament of Holy Orders.

Who can receive this sacrament?
This sacrament can only be validly received by a baptized man. The Church recognizes herself as bound by this choice made by the Lord Himself. No one can demand to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders, but must be judged suitable for the ministry by the authorities of the Church.

Is it necessary to be celibate to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders?
It is always necessary to be celibate for the episcopacy. For the priesthood in the Latin Church men who are practicing Catholics and celibate are chosen, men who intend to continue to live a celibate life “for the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:12). In the Eastern Churches marriage is not permitted after one has been ordained. Married men can be ordained to the permanent diaconate.

What are the effects of the sacrament of Holy Orders?
This sacrament yields a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit which configures the recipient to Christ in his triple office as Priest, Prophet, and King, according to the respective degrees of the sacrament. Ordination confers an indelible spiritual character and therefore cannot be repeated or conferred for a limited time.

With what authority is the priestly ministry exercised?
Ordained priests in the exercise of their sacred ministry speak and act not on their own authority, nor even by mandate or delegation of the community, but rather in the Person of Christ the Head and in the name of the Church. Therefore, the ministerial priesthood differs essentially and not just in degree from the priesthood common to all the faithful for whose service Christ instituted it.

God created man in His own image and likeness… God is love and in Himself He lives a mystery of personal loving communion. Creating the human race in His own image and continually keeping it in being, God inscribed in the humanity of man and woman the vocation, and thus the capacity and responsibility, of love and communion. Love is therefore the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being.
Blessed John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio.