To arrange any of the sacraments, or to talk anything through, please contact Fr John who he will be very pleased to help and offer guidance and reflection on your personal sacramental journey.
Baptism, Confirmation & First Holy Communion
"Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift. We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship."(St Gregory of Nazianzus). Therefore, since the day of Pentecost when St. Peter preached: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" the Church has celebrated and administered holy Baptism.
Baptism therefore inaugurates our Christian life and this requires a committment not only from the baptised but especially from parents and godparents who own a duty to ensure those receiving the sacrament not only are given good example of Chrisitian values but are enabled to participate fully in the life of Christ's mystical body, the Church, through attendance at Holy Mass every Sunday. Baptism of infants may be arranged by appointment with Fr John at any time.
Adult catechumins are especially welcomed to our parish to join our parish family at Mass. Adults may be received into the church at any time in the course of the year. Note, adult baptism, is usually conferred together with the sacrament of Confirmation. Again please contact Fr John
After each Easter, our parish offers catechism classes for children between 7 and 8 who wish to present themselves for First Confession and First Holy Communion. Please contact Fr John if you wish you child to be to enrolled. Preparations for Confirmation are offered in a similar fashion.
Adult Catechesis and Baptism
For those who by God's grace wish to receive the salvation offered by Our Lord in His Holy Catholic Church, we offer special catechism classes, during which the teachings of the Church are proposed and discussed for the transmission of the authentic and ancient faith of the Church, as presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
"The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life." (The Catholic Catchchism, no 1661, citing the Council of Trent no 1799).
Those wishing to be joined in Holy Matrimony at St Birinus Church are first prepared by a period of instruction with Father John which offers an opportunity for couples to discuss and explore the meaning of sacramental marriage.
As God gave marriage its essential characteristics and proper laws: unity, indissolubility, and openness to procreation, so Our Lord Jesus Christ raised marriage to the dignity of a Sacrament: the marriage of a Christian man and woman is a sacramental sign of His union with His Church (cf. Eph. 5:32). ‘Those whom God has joined together let no man put asunder’ (Mt. 19:6).
As the Church also reaches out to those broken and hurt by the breakdown of marriage in our society so our parish offers those experiencing support. Those in this circumstances are strongly encouraged to talk about this with Fr John.
The Faithful Departed - Requiem Masses & funerals
One of our most treasured prayers of a Catholic life is our invocation for the dead "Etenal Rest grant unto them O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon them: may they rest in peace Amen." The Church strongly encourages the faithful to have a Requiem Mass and burial according to her ancients funeral rites. Through the offering the sacrifcie of The Holy Mass and through our earnest prayers we help our departed friends and family to attain their share in the life of the Risen Lord.
The Church of St Birinus Church offers a beautiful and prayerful location for funeral Masses with seating for around 50. Music for funerals is normally provided by our own organist and choir by arrangement. These occasions may also be livestreamed so that absent friends and relatives can particapte from afar. Please contact Fr John for further details.
Care of the Sick
‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…’
None of us can avoid suffering, which comes in many forms, but Our Lord promises to comfort us when we turn to Him. Each Sunday the congregation prays for those whose names are read out during Mass, and parishioners are willing to help lighten the load of those who are suffering. The parish St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) group is available to offer help and support.
Please contact Fr John if you cannot get to church and wish to receive Holy Communion, to ask for prayer for the sick, or would benefit from help the SVP can give.