MATER CHRISTI PARISH
Sacraments
…one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance; and immediately there came out blood and water.
John 19:34
MATER CHRISTI, SACRAMENTS
Christ instituted the Sacraments of the new law. They are seven: Baptism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony & Holy Orders.
The Seven Sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith.
There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of spiritual life.
This order allows one to see that the sacraments form an organic whole in which each particular sacrament has its vital place. In this organic whole, the Eucharist occupies a unique place as the "Sacrament of sacraments": all the other sacraments are ordered to it as to their end. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1210 - 1211)
Baptism
Baptism is the door to life and to the Kingdom of God. Through the Church, Christ offers baptism to all so that they might have eternal life. Baptism is therefore first and foremost the Sacrament of that faith by which human beings, enlightened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, respond to the Gospel of Christ (cf. Order of Baptism of Children # 3). The celebration of this Sacrament is thus an important occasion for the renewal and deepening of faith in those who are requesting baptism for their children. As children cannot yet make a profession of faith, they are baptised into the faith of the Church professed by the parents and godparents.
Here at Mater Christi Catholic Parish, parents requesting baptism for their children attend a workshop that explains the significance of this Sacrament in the life of their children and the importance of the parents to bear witness to the faith. Additionally, they also meet with one of the parish priests, to establish a personal contact and to assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities as the primary teachers of the Christian faith to their children.
Please make contact with the Baptism Team to find out more regarding the next workshop and to make an appointment with one of the priests.
Reconciliation
The follower of Christ who has sinned but has been moved by the Holy Spirit to come to the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) should above all be converted to God with his or her whole heart. This inner conversion of heart embraces sorrow for sin and the intent to lead a new life. It is expressed through a private confession made to the Church in the person of the priest, the acceptance of a prayer or work of penance, and the resolution for the amendment of one’s life. God grants pardon for sin through the Church, which works by the ministry of priests (cf. Rite of Penance # 6).
Here at Mater Christi Catholic Parish, the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation or Confession) is available every Saturday evening from 5-5:30pm. You may also approach the priests at any time to make your Confession.
Registration Closed
Sacramental Preparation
Parents from our Catholic Schools and the Parish Sacramental Programme who have children preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time this year need to attend various workshops and formation evenings to assist in the child’s formation for this Sacrament.
The specific dates for the courses will be announced early in the new year.
Please follow the links below or refer to the ‘Registrations’ page to book the date for your child to make his or her first Confession.
Holy Communion
The celebration of Mass is the centre of the Christian life for the Church both universal and local, as well as for each of the faithful individually. For in it is found the high point both of the action by which God sanctifies the world in Christ and of the worship that the human race offers to the Father, adoring Him through Christ, the Son of God, in the Holy Spirit (cf. General Instruction of the Roman Missal # 16).
Mass is celebrated every day at Mater Christi. Special notices will be published with Mass times for Christmas, the Easter Triduum and Holy Days of Obligation.
Registration Closed
Sacramental Preparation
Parents from our Catholic Schools and the Parish Sacramental Programme who have children preparing to receive their 1st Holy Communion this year need to attend various workshops and formation evenings to assist in the child’s formation for this Sacrament.
The specific dates for the courses will be announced early in the new year.
Parents, please follow the links below or refer to the ‘Registrations Page’ to book the date of the workshop and the Sunday Mass during which your child will make their 1st Holy Communion. Please note, the bookings will be in your child's name.
Confirmation
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation the Apostles themselves and the Bishops, who are their successors, have handed on to the baptised the special gift of the Holy Spirit, promised by Christ the Lord and poured out upon the Apostles at Pentecost. With its help, initiation in the Christian life is so brought to completion that the faithful, strengthened by heavenly power, go forth as true witnesses of Christ in word and example, and are bound more closely to the Church (cf. Decree for the new Order or Confirmation).
Registrations Closed
Sacramental Preparation
Parents from our Catholic Schools and the Parish Sacramental Programme who have children preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year need to attend various workshops and formation evenings to assist in the child’s formation for this Sacrament.
The specific dates for the courses will be announced early in the new year.
Parents, please follow the links below or refer to the ‘Registrations page’ to book you and your child's attendance at the various activities. Please note, the booking is in the name of your child.
Anointing of the Sick
Those who are seriously ill need the special help of God’s grace in this time of anxiety, lest they be broken in spirit and, under the pressure of temptations, perhaps weakened in their faith. This is why, through the sacrament of anointing, Christ strengthens the faithful who are afflicted by illness, providing them with the strongest means of support. (Pastoral Care of the Sick #5)
This sacrament is celebrated once a month at Frank Prendergast House, Success and Regents Gardens, Aubin Grove. Those who are in need of this sacrament can also approach the priests of the parish at any time.
Weddings
Those who marry in Christ are able, with faith in the Word of God, to celebrate fruitfully the mystery of the union of Christ and the Church, to live it rightly, and to bear witness to it publicly before all. To use the words of the 4th century Church Father Tertullian, “How wonderful the bond of the two believers: one in hope, one in vow, one in discipline, one in the same service! They are both children of the same Father and servants of the same Master, with no separation in spirit and flesh. Indeed, they are two in one flesh; where there is one flesh, there is also one spirit.” (quoted from the Introduction to the Order of Celebrating Matrimony # 11).
Enquiries for Weddings at Mater Christi Catholic Church are to be directed to the parish office or one of our parish priests.
Funerals
The celebration of funerals according to the rites of the Catholic Church bring hope and consolation to the family and friends of the deceased. Through her liturgical prayer the Church carries the sorrow of her children and gives expression to the central Christian hope of the resurrection: that one day all who have died in the Lord will rise again to new life. The funeral rites recall to all who take part in them God’s mercy and judgement, and meet the deep human need to turn always to God in times of crisis.
A Catholic funeral can include:
Vigil/Rosary for the Deceased
A prayer vigil and Rosary is typically held the evening before the funeral, however, it can be held before the funeral Mass/service, sometimes in the church or at the funeral home. The body of the deceased can also be present for viewing.
Funeral Mass/Service
The funeral Mass or service is the central part of a Catholic funeral and is followed by the burial or cremation.