The Cathedral parish administers the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist and Marriage. Find out also how to become a Catholic.

Baptism

Baptism (one of the three sacraments of initiation) is the means by which we are forgiven original sin, receive grace and become members of Christ’s Church.

At Baptism parents promise to raise their child in the practice of the faith, which means coming to Mass each Sunday, praying with your child and teaching them the beliefs of the Catholic Church.

Parents must take a Baptism preparation course if this is their first child to be baptised. If you would like your child to be Baptised, please complete our Baptism Enquiry Form and we will be in touch regarding the next steps.

Please get in touch with Fr Dermott frdermott@stgeorges.org.uk or telephone 020 7928 5256 if you have any queries.

Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation perfects and strengthens the grace given at Baptism and completes the initiation of the Catholic, enabling them to witness to Christ as His disciple in the world.

Here at St George’s we invite young people of Year 9 or above to join our programme of formation. Please see the weekly newsletter for details of when applications are being taken, and if you have any queries please contact Fr Francis. The formation sessions take place on a Monday evening in term time.

Adults who have not yet been confirmed - please see below ‘Becoming a Catholic’ for more information.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is generally conferred by Archbishop John Wilson at a special Mass on Pentecost Sunday.

For more information please contact Fr Francis Murphy: frfrancis@stgeorges.org.uk or telephone 020 7928 5256.

APPLICATIONS FOR CONFIRMATIONS IN 2023 CLOSED AT THE END OF DECEMBER 2022 – details of the 2024 programme will be advertised in the parish newsletter in due course.

Holy Eucharist

Section 1324 of the Catechism tells us: “The Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion) is "the source and summit of the Christian life… for in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself."

The Eucharist is the third sacrament of initiation and the only one of the three that can be received more than once. Frequent reception of the Eucharist helps us to live the Christian life by deepening our relationship with Christ and allowing Him to strengthen us if a very special way.

If your child is in year three at primary school, or is over eight years of age, they are eligible to apply for the First Holy Communion course. The course is run by Fr Dermott and a team of catechists, and most of the sessions take place on a Saturday mornings between January and June.

The course starts in January and the First Holy Communion Mass will take place around the date of Corpus Christi.

For more information please contact Fr Dermott O'Gorman: via admin@stgeorges.org.uk or telephone 020 7928 5256.

Becoming a Catholic or Deepening Your Faith

 

For further information please contact Fr Francis Murphy: frfrancis@stgeorges.org.uk or telephone 020 7928 5256.

Marriage

The sacrament of Matrimony acknowledges a couple’s commitment to share their life together and to reveal God’s love to themselves and those around them through the witness of their married lives.

All those wishing to marry are required to give six months notice and to attend a course of preparation.

The first stage is to meet with Fr Francis or Fr Dermott, this should be done before any other arrangements are made or venues booked.

For more information please contact Fr Francis Murphy: frfrancis@stgeorges.org.uk or Fr Dermott O'Gorman frdermott@stgeorges.org.uk, or telephone 020 7928 5256.