The Sacraments

All Christians, of whatever denomination, believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead after being executed by crucifixion. His mysterious risen presence remains in the world through the action of the Holy Spirit. God’s grace (i.e. His help and favour) calls us to live in this presence and grow as his adopted children communicating His love to the world by seeking a life of greater dignity and happiness for all people. In Catholic tradition we believe that this grace comes to us in a special way through the Sacraments. Through faith in the Sacraments we are touched and transformed by His mysterious risen presence.

Baptism

Baptisms in our parish usually happen on the 4^th Saturday of the month at 11:00, however, please see the weekly newsletter for changes. Usually, attendance to a preparatory talk is required by both Parents and God parents before the baptism is carried out. The preparatory talk is held every 2^nd Saturday of the month at 11:00 in our parish room, but again please check the weekly newsletter for eventual changes. Those wishing to have a child baptised should take a form from the back of the church and post through the Parish Office letter box.

Marriage

If you are a parishioner wishing to get married in the Catholic Church, be it at St. John Fisher, Perivale, at another parish in the UK or in another country, you must arrange an appointment with the Parish Priest who will assist you in the preparation and necessary paperwork that you will need. Please click here for more details https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/perivale/wp-content/uploads/sites/164/2024/05/Information-for-getting-married.pdf

RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

The RCIA programme caters to the needs of Adults who:

• May have been baptized Catholic but are lacking one of the Sacraments of Christian initiation, i.e. Confirmation or the Eucharist.
• May be baptized in another Christian Denomination but would like to be received into the Church and become Catholic.
• May be of another religion or of none at all but would like to be received into the Church through Baptism.

Please contact the Parish Office for more details

Reconciliation – Confession

The sacrament of Confession has a long history in Catholic Tradition and is a way that we formally admit our sinfulness and receive God’s forgiveness. Of course, God’s love knows no bounds and his forgiveness reaches people in an infinite number of ways that only He knows when they implore his mercy. As Catholics we believe that through the sacrament of confession God not only forgives us, but transforms and strengthens us to become more faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Confession consists in verbally confessing our sins to a priest and receiving sacramental absolution. Absolution may be given both individually and collectively.

Please click here to access an examination of Conscience to prepare for confession.

Anointing of the sick and Holy Communion to the sick and housebound

This sacrament is often mistakenly referred to as “The Last Rites” as if it should only be administered to those at death’s door. There is no such sacrament, though within the sacrament of the sick there are specific prayers for those who are dying. This Sacrament consists in receiving a special anointing with Holy Oil as well as absolution for sins and reception of Holy Communion. The purpose of the sacrament is not to necessarily heal people from sickness, but to help them open their hearts to God and accept with interior peace the pain and eventual outcome that their sickness will bring.

If you or a loved one would like to receive this Sacrament please call or email the Parish Office or talk with the Parish Priest.