SACRAMENTS:

You will find below our practices for the Sacraments of:

This page also contains information of our Junior Sacramental Program.

Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults

The Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. We prepare and celebrate these Sacraments as a Parish Community. There is a constant invitation for all people to be part of our Catholic Parish Community. Initiation involves preparation through stages of growth when we come along to share prayer, our faith and our life.

Where it is not possible for a candidate to be part of the Parish based group instruction programmes, individual instruction and reception into the Church is always available.

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in our initiation into the Christian Community the Church. It is the beginning of a life of involvement in faith and in community. For the Baptism of Infants the parents need to be aware of their responsibility to "nurture" their child not only in love but also in faith. As a result, we invite all parents to enter into our Pre-Baptismal formation session in order to give them the means by which they are able to be the teachers of faith to their children.

Baptisms are scheduled normally in the Parish on Sundays, after the 9.30am Mass.

We would ask parents to contact the Parish Office on 9349.1198 to arrange the Baptism at least one month in advance.

Anointing of the Sick

This Sacrament is a sacrament of healing and peace. Our priests celebrate this Sacrament with the elderly and those who are seriously ill or who are facing serious surgery. From time to time Masses of Anointing of the Sick are celebrated in the Church.

For those going to hospital, we would ask if you would contact the Parish Office prior to being admitted to hospital so we may celebrate this Sacrament with you or to contact us on being admitted so that a visit may be arranged. State on your hospital form that you would like to see a priest. Hospital protocols no longer permit questions relating to religious affiliation to be asked.

Visitation to Homes of the Sick

This is an important part of being Parish to all our members – we are called to move out in care and compassion to the sick and the lonely. We visit people in their homes, or our local nursing homes, sharing all the news that is going on as well as celebrating Communion to the Sick.

Should you wish to be included in this visitation, please email us or contact the Parish Office on 9349.1198.

If you are arranging the funeral of a loved one, the Funeral Director of your choice will contact the Parish Office and book the Church and a Priest. However, we encourage families of the deceased to make contact themselves with the Parish Priest, even before contacting the Funeral Director.

A PowerPoint projection facility is available in the Church for those wishing to present their liturgy via this mode, but families are asked to provide their own PowerPoint operator.

Marriage

Our Parish Community recommends that couples give AT LEAST SIX MONTHS notice of their intention to marry. This is to ensure that adequate preparation through one of the Archdiocesan Marriage Preparation Courses is undertaken.

We would suggest that the first step would be to book the Church on the required date before anything else is done. Please contact the Parish Priest on 9349.1198 to make this booking. In doing so, both Bride and Groom must meet with the Parish Priest to book the Church for the required time.

You will be expected to supply Birth Certificates and a NEW Baptism Certificate, and be free of previous marriage restrictions. Generally speaking, the Parish Priest does not travel to other Churches or venues and, because of normal Parish based commitments, would not undertake weddings on a Sunday. An information sheet, explaining the necessary steps for marriage, would then be posted out to you.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS:

We realise, for a variety of reasons, that not every member of our community is able to have their child undertake First Reconciliation; Eucharist (Communion) or Confirmation at the appropriate times. Holy Family Parish offers parishioners and their children the opportunity each year to participate in the appropriate program for your child. Details of each program are always published in advance in the weekly bulletins, available in the Church, or by telephoning the Parish Centre on 9349.1198.

The Normal Sacramental programme of instruction would be:

	1st Term:	Reconciliation
	2nd Term:	Confirmation
	3rd Term:	Eucharist (First Communion)