To arrange any of the sacraments, or to talk anything through, please contact Fr John — he will be very glad to hear from you.
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 Chrsitian values but are enabled to participate fully in the life of Christ's mystical body, the Church, through attendance at Holy Mass every Sunday.
In the case of adult baptism, is it usual for the sacrament of Confirmation to be conferrred at the same time.
St Birinus holds annual catechism classes for Confirmation and First Holy Communion, for children of 7–8 and above, at Easter. Parents, please contact Fr John if you wish to enrol your child. Baptism of infants may be arranged by appointment with Fr John at any time.
Adult Catechism 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.
Marriage
Parishioners wishing to be married at St Birinus Church are prepared by Fr John during a period of instruction in which the meaning of sacramental marriage is explored and discussed.
The Creator has built marriage into human nature: ‘male and female He created them’ (Gen. 1:27), united in marriage as ‘one flesh’ for the procreation of new life. God has given marriage its essential characteristics and proper laws: unity, indissolubility, and openness to procreation.
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).
The Church in so many ways reaches out to those broken and hurt by the breakdown of marriage in our society. No-one is turned away. To talk about marriage at St Birinus, please contact Fr John.
Funerals
When a Catholic whom we love dies, it is most important to give them a Catholic funeral.
St Birinus Church offers a small but beautiful and prayerful location for funeral Masses, seating up to 50, with a very special organ. There is also a small parish room (the Davey Room) with a kitchen, where drinks can be served in a comfortable setting.
Requiem Masses can be organised with music provided by the organist and choir, and livestreamed so that absent relatives can attend remotely. 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.