Please click for a history of the parish.
For a more detailed history by Fr Andrew O'Dell please click here - Detailed History
Sacramental Preparation
If you have any queries regarding preparation for the sacraments please contact the Pastoral Office. 01462 455577
Please watch the newsletter and Parish noticeboard for information on sacramental preparation courses.
Baptism
* Courses are held twice a year for first time parents, for those anticipating the birth of their first child and for those who may need a ‘refresher’.
Our next Baptism course is:
13 May 2012 3 - 4.30 (Session 1)
20 May 2012 3.30 - 4.45 (Session 2)
in our parish hall followed by the Rite of Welcome at the 5pm Mass
* After completion of the course, parents will need to contact one of the parish clergy to arrange the actual Baptism.
First Eucharist and Reconciliation.
* Children wishing to receive these Sacraments are prepared at home by their parents, using a variety of programmes to suit individual needs and tastes. The Parish provides support and assistance for the families, through a series of meetings throughout the year, to which all parents are expected to come. Meetings start in September and finish in June. Application for the Journey of Faith is made following an Introductory Time of Preparation
* Reconciliation is celebrated during Lent and First Eucharist during late Spring/early Summer.
Confirmation
* Young people in Year 10 and above of secondary school are invited to participate in a short but intensive course of preparation.
* The course varies from year to year but is designed to give young parishioners an experience of community and an opportunity to talk about their faith.
* They will be involved with Parish Liturgies throughout the course and in particular help at the Parish Carol Service in December and also create a contemporary Stations of the Cross and lead the parish in this devotion on Good Friday evening.
* We encourage the candidates to undertake some kind of ministry in the church community after receiving the sacrament – like Reading, , Counting the Collection, Eucharistic Minister etc
* The current programme finishes with the Confirmation Mass on 25th May and the next programme will begin in September 2012. Parents and prospective candidates should keep an eye on the newsletter and Parish noticeboard for details of dates.
Marriage
The Parish runs a Marriage Preparation Course for engaged couples once a year. Enquiries about Marriage should be made to the Priests of the Parish, as 6 months notice must be given and other documentation collated.
Our next Marriage Preparation course is:
April 28th 2012 9am - 4pm in our Parish Hall.
Please contact Jane Gonzalez to book your place.
Reception into the Catholic Church
* There are a variety of avenues for adults and children enquiring into reception into the Church, be it with Baptism or Confirmation, or interested in knowing more about the Catholic Faith. Please contact Jane Gonzalez for details.
* A group preparing adults for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) currently meets once a week. Contact Jane Gonzalez for details.
Adult Formation
* In the summer the parish runs 3 or 4 evenings devoted to topics of interest to adult members of the community who may wish to deepen their understanding of the sacraments, church history and related matters.
WELFARE & OTHER PARISH GROUPS
The real fabric of the Church is its People and over the years we have built up various Groups and Societies to help create and foster Community life and living: examples are: the One World Group, the Gateway Club for people with special needs, Our Lady’s Support Group for children with needs; we have a range of activities for the Scouting and Guiding Uniformed Groups; the Union of Catholic Mothers, the Guild of St Stephen for Altar Servers, the Bethany Club for people approaching the third age and also various spiritual initiatives, like the Monday and Thursday Meditation Groups, Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday Rosary groups, the Wednesday Scripture Group as well as providing a home for various Groups which seek to address more particular needs, like Alcoholics Anonymous, people suffering from forms of depression, the Hitchin Society, meetings of Townswomen Fellowship and others as the need arises.
For details of the Parish group please click below
