Sacraments
Baptism
For Children:
As part of the Sacramental Programme in the parish, any families wishing to have their children baptised are invited to attend a series of formation sessions. To access these sessions families need to contact Fr Peter in the first instance after Mass on a Sunday. During the sessions we will look at being a teacher of your child in the ways of faith, what it means to be a member of a parish community and some of the words and symbols we use during the celebration of the sacrament of Baptism.
Once you have attended the sessions, we will confirm the date and time of your child’s baptism.
To book yourself on to a forthcoming course, please contact Fr Peter (please check your diaries to ensure you are available for all three sessions within the course prior to booking).
If any parishioners would like to join the catechist team for the Baptism course please make yourself known to Fr Peter. You would be very welcome!
For Adults:
If you are an adult and you would like to be baptised, please again speak to Fr. Peter about the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).
As part of the Sacramental Programme in the parish, any families wishing to have their children baptised are invited to attend a series of formation sessions. To access these sessions families need to contact Fr Peter in the first instance after Mass on a Sunday. During the sessions we will look at being a teacher of your child in the ways of faith, what it means to be a member of a parish community and some of the words and symbols we use during the celebration of the sacrament of Baptism.
Once you have attended the sessions, we will confirm the date and time of your child’s baptism.
To book yourself on to a forthcoming course, please contact Fr Peter (please check your diaries to ensure you are available for all three sessions within the course prior to booking).
If any parishioners would like to join the catechist team for the Baptism course please make yourself known to Fr Peter. You would be very welcome!
For Adults:
If you are an adult and you would like to be baptised, please again speak to Fr. Peter about the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).
Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, sometimes referred to as Confession, the Sacrament of Mercy, the Sacrament of Penance, gives us the opportunity to repent of our sins and receive the forgiveness and mercy of God through absolution.
At Baptism we are washed of original sin but during our lives we turn away from God through sin and to reconcile our faults we must answer Jesus’ call to conversion through confessing our sins to God through the Priests through whole God acts. Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins
The Sacrament involves us first carrying out an examination of conscience before God. This is when we think back through our lives and identify the actions, throughs, words or moments of inaction that have offended God and hurst others. In the confessional, we then confess these to God through the Priest and then say the Act of Contrition, “Oh My God, because you are so good,I am very sorry that I have sinned against you,and by the help of your grace, I will try not sin again.Amen.” or a similar version. The Priest will then absolve us from our sins and ask us to do an act of penance to show that we are truly sorry for our faults. This may be prayer or an act of charitable work, or most especially during this year, a Spiritual or Corporal Work of Mercy.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated at St. Peter’s every Saturday, 11-11.45am and at other times throughout the year. These will be advertised in the Newsletter.
At Baptism we are washed of original sin but during our lives we turn away from God through sin and to reconcile our faults we must answer Jesus’ call to conversion through confessing our sins to God through the Priests through whole God acts. Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins
The Sacrament involves us first carrying out an examination of conscience before God. This is when we think back through our lives and identify the actions, throughs, words or moments of inaction that have offended God and hurst others. In the confessional, we then confess these to God through the Priest and then say the Act of Contrition, “Oh My God, because you are so good,I am very sorry that I have sinned against you,and by the help of your grace, I will try not sin again.Amen.” or a similar version. The Priest will then absolve us from our sins and ask us to do an act of penance to show that we are truly sorry for our faults. This may be prayer or an act of charitable work, or most especially during this year, a Spiritual or Corporal Work of Mercy.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated at St. Peter’s every Saturday, 11-11.45am and at other times throughout the year. These will be advertised in the Newsletter.
Eucharist
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life. The Eucharist is the sublime sign of the unity of the people of God by which the Church is kept in being. At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Saviour instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood.
During the Mass, the bread and wine which we offer as gifts, becomes by transubstantiation and the mystery of our faith, the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord and Saviour died for us on the cross at Calvary, and dies to take away our sins on the Altar; ‘Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.’
The fundamental structure of the Mass has been preserved since the early Church first celebrated the Eucharist. It displays two great parts that form a fundamental unity:
– the gathering, the liturgy of the Word, with readings, homily and general intercessions;
– the liturgy of the Eucharist, with the presentation of the bread and wine, the consecratory thanksgiving, and communion.
The liturgy of the Word and liturgy of the Eucharist together form “one single act of worship”; the Eucharistic table set for us is the table both of the Word of God and of the Body of the Lord.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered daily at 12 noon at St. Peter’s and 9.15am on Wednesdays at St. Philip’s.
Sometimes times change to due Feast days or Requiem Mass so please check the Newsletter for weekly Mass times.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Benediction takes place at St. Peter’s every Saturday, 11-11.45am. Other times are advertised in the Newsletter.
During the Mass, the bread and wine which we offer as gifts, becomes by transubstantiation and the mystery of our faith, the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord and Saviour died for us on the cross at Calvary, and dies to take away our sins on the Altar; ‘Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.’
The fundamental structure of the Mass has been preserved since the early Church first celebrated the Eucharist. It displays two great parts that form a fundamental unity:
– the gathering, the liturgy of the Word, with readings, homily and general intercessions;
– the liturgy of the Eucharist, with the presentation of the bread and wine, the consecratory thanksgiving, and communion.
The liturgy of the Word and liturgy of the Eucharist together form “one single act of worship”; the Eucharistic table set for us is the table both of the Word of God and of the Body of the Lord.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered daily at 12 noon at St. Peter’s and 9.15am on Wednesdays at St. Philip’s.
Sometimes times change to due Feast days or Requiem Mass so please check the Newsletter for weekly Mass times.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Benediction takes place at St. Peter’s every Saturday, 11-11.45am. Other times are advertised in the Newsletter.
Confirmation
The young people of our Parish make their Confirmation in Year 8. This is a very important Sacrament as it is when the young people renew their baptismal promises and their initiation into the Catholic Church is confirmed by the Bishop.
We celebrated the Sacrament together with the Parish of St. Philip's. Candidates reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit which will receive when they are confirmed, the faith which they will profess and the commitment they will make to the Church.
In June/July the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark.
Contacts for Confirmation Programme:
Fr Peter – 0161 483 3476 / petersharrocks@stpetershazelgrove.org.uk
We celebrated the Sacrament together with the Parish of St. Philip's. Candidates reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit which will receive when they are confirmed, the faith which they will profess and the commitment they will make to the Church.
In June/July the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark.
Contacts for Confirmation Programme:
Fr Peter – 0161 483 3476 / petersharrocks@stpetershazelgrove.org.uk
Marriage
The Church lives and has its being from generation to generation through Christian marriage and family life. The Sacrament of mutual, exclusive, lifelong commitment that is marriage graces couples as they journey together in love, faith and hope.
The Church offers preparation for marriage, post-wedding opportunities for marriage enrichment and counselling. Our parish can also offer through an experienced Marriage Guidance Counsellor a FREE 1 hour consultation to assist you in finding further support should you wish. If you are interested please contact Fr Peter on 0161 483 3476 or petersharrocks@stpetershazelgrove.org.uk or Teresa Thiele on 07778848709 or terrythiele@hotmail.co.uk in confidence who will simply take your contact details and pass them on with your agreement to our Parish Counsellor.
Message from Fr. Peter -
“Family life is the very foundation of our society and we must do all we can to support Marriage and Family life. Many of you will remember our parish celebration of Marriage and Family Life last February 14th. Following this, we have been exploring ways in which our parish can support and enhance family life and marriage and this page of our website is one of the results of this exploration.
I am delighted to welcome initiatives such as seeking a new way to help people celebrate their wedding day at a very reasonable cost in our community setting. Similarly, we welcome the Alpha Marriage Course which helps people deepen and enhance their marriage and also the parish link with Marriage Care for couples who are preparing for Marriage or experiencing difficulties in their relationship.
Your thoughts and ideas on marriage and family life are always welcome and you may wish to join our working group. I hope you will support these initiatives. If you know of any other websites which may be helpful then let us know.”
The Church offers preparation for marriage, post-wedding opportunities for marriage enrichment and counselling. Our parish can also offer through an experienced Marriage Guidance Counsellor a FREE 1 hour consultation to assist you in finding further support should you wish. If you are interested please contact Fr Peter on 0161 483 3476 or petersharrocks@stpetershazelgrove.org.uk or Teresa Thiele on 07778848709 or terrythiele@hotmail.co.uk in confidence who will simply take your contact details and pass them on with your agreement to our Parish Counsellor.
Message from Fr. Peter -
“Family life is the very foundation of our society and we must do all we can to support Marriage and Family life. Many of you will remember our parish celebration of Marriage and Family Life last February 14th. Following this, we have been exploring ways in which our parish can support and enhance family life and marriage and this page of our website is one of the results of this exploration.
I am delighted to welcome initiatives such as seeking a new way to help people celebrate their wedding day at a very reasonable cost in our community setting. Similarly, we welcome the Alpha Marriage Course which helps people deepen and enhance their marriage and also the parish link with Marriage Care for couples who are preparing for Marriage or experiencing difficulties in their relationship.
Your thoughts and ideas on marriage and family life are always welcome and you may wish to join our working group. I hope you will support these initiatives. If you know of any other websites which may be helpful then let us know.”
Holy Orders
The Church needs priests and deacons to guide the spirtual life of the Church and celebrate the sacraments. God calls the unlikeliest of people to priesthood and the diaconate! Nevertheless, it takes many years of preparation, prayer and discernment before you may be ready to be ordained.
In our Diocese, Fr Jonathan Mitchell is the Bishop’s Vicar for Vocations. This department is split into 3 sections; Vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious.
If you feel that God is calling you to serve him through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, then first and foremost speak to your Parish Priest or Fr Peter.
In our Diocese, Fr Jonathan Mitchell is the Bishop’s Vicar for Vocations. This department is split into 3 sections; Vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious.
If you feel that God is calling you to serve him through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, then first and foremost speak to your Parish Priest or Fr Peter.
Sacrament of the Sick
Jesus always had a special care for the sick and the church carries on this care through various ministries. Sickness can be a very upsetting and difficult time but the Anointing of the Sick shows that God is there for you in your time of need and brings calm and peace to a distressing time in a family’s life. The Sacrament of the Sick is celebrated communally in church during Eastertime and in the autumn. It is also celebrated according to need in people’s homes.
St Peter’s also has pastoral responsibility for Stepping Hill Hospital.
In an emergency, the on-call Chaplain can be contacted through the hospital switchboard on 0161 483 1010.
During office hours the Chaplaincy Office can be contacted on 0161 419 5889.
To arrange a visit by Fr. Peter or a Eucharistic Minister with Holy Communion, contact the Parish Office on 0161 483 3476.
St Peter’s also has pastoral responsibility for Stepping Hill Hospital.
In an emergency, the on-call Chaplain can be contacted through the hospital switchboard on 0161 483 1010.
During office hours the Chaplaincy Office can be contacted on 0161 419 5889.
To arrange a visit by Fr. Peter or a Eucharistic Minister with Holy Communion, contact the Parish Office on 0161 483 3476.
Funerals
One of the problems families face after the death of a loved one is what sort of funeral to have. Here you will find a simple form to fill in and give to your next of kin, executor or just leave it where it will easily found in the event of your death.
Form – Planning Your Funeral In Church.
The Catholic Church of England and Wales has commissioned a website: www.artofdyingwell.org
“The Catholic Church has an interest in helping those faced with the prospect of death and dying. We believe that death opens the way to new life. For us, in dying, we close our eyes for the last time here, in order to be able to really see for the first time there.” – www.artofdyingwell.org
If you have lost a loved one, please contact Fr Peter for information and guidance on your next steps.