The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick gives strength and support and can be administered to anyone struggling with an illness.

Who may Receive?

In the Catholic Church, Extreme Unction or the Last Rites is the anointing at the time of death. Since the Second Vatican Council, this sacrament is now called the Anointing of the Sick and has been broadened to offer healing and comfort in times of illness that may not lead to immediate death. Speaking about a wider implementation of this sacrament, Pope Paul VI advocated for “a wider availability of the sacrament and to extend it—within reasonable limits—even beyond cases of mortal illness."

Unlike the traditional understanding of the Last Rites, the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is, ideally, to be administered in a communal celebration.
 
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that when the sick are anointed they should be "assisted by their pastor and the whole ecclesial community, which is invited to surround the sick in a special way through their prayers and fraternal attention" (1516). "Like all the sacraments the Anointing of the Sick is a liturgical and communal celebration…It is very fitting to celebrate it within the Eucharist" (1517).

Spiritual Healing

The healing that occurs in this sacrament of anointing is not necessarily physical healing. While we believe that physical healing can occur through the great power of God, the grace that is infused through this special sacrament is the reminder of the eternal presence of God in our human suffering.

When the priest blessing the oil of anointing, he asks God to "send the power of your Holy Spirit, the Consoler, into this precious oil. Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it; heal them in body, in soul and in spirit, and deliver them from every affliction" (Pastoral Care of the Sick, #123).
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"The celebration of the Anointing of the Sick consists essentially in the anointing of the forehead and hands of the sick person (in the Roman Rite) or of other parts of the body (in the Eastern rite), the anointing being accompanied by the liturgical prayer of the celebrant asking for the special grace of this sacrament" (CCC 1531).

Last Saturday 20 families expressed a wish to have their child/children baptised.
 
We look forward to the big day and we ask the parish to keep them and their parents in prayer.

FAQ: What are the requirements for infant baptism?
Through Baptism, God enables us to participate in his life in Jesus Christ and makes us his children. It is through this sacrament that we receive the Holy Spirit and become members of the People of God, of the Body of Christ, which is the Church. Baptism becomes our commitment to grow in this new life and to strive to acquire spiritual maturity. By baptism, God purifies us from sin.  Baptism is the sacrament of faith which has the Risen Christ as its source, and it is the offer of salvation for all people. Intimately linked to Confirmation and to Eucharist, Baptism is, with these two sacraments, Christian Initiation. The child is baptized in the faith of their parents, godparents and of the Church. (see Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213, 1263, 1265, 1267-1270; Code of Canon Law, c. 842, 849)
 
For a child to be baptised in the Catholic Church, there must be a basis for hope that the child will be raised in the Catholic faith. In practice, this generally means that at least one parent is Catholic.
 
Like many dioceses up and down the country, our Diocese requires parents to participate in Baptism preparation before the baptism of their children.  We offer Baptism classes here at Saint Teresa’s. Each child brought forward must also have at least one godparent who is a Confirmed, practicing Catholic age 16 or older.
 
What are the requirements for Godparents?
When a parent chooses you as a Baptismal Sponsor (Godparent) that means you are thought of as a very special Catholic. Being called as a Godparent is not merely a choice because of family ties or a reward of friendship. The call to be a sponsor bears the responsibility of giving spiritual witness to your Godchild of how to live out the Catholic faith in everyday life.  By being faithful to God’s law, being active in the life of your parish, participating in Holy Mass weekly, and living Gospel values, you offer tremendous personal support to the parents who commit themselves in Baptism to faithfully passing on the Catholic faith to their child.
Most children are blessed to have two Godparents one male (Godfather) and the other female (Godmother) – both practising Catholics.

What about…
Unmarried parents and parents not married in the church.  Every parent is welcome to bring their child for baptism.  Single mums, you have our full support, as do dads!
However, you must have the intention of teaching them the Catholic Faith.

Baptism at Saint Teresa’s takes place on:
            Weekdays following the 10am Mass (so 11am)
            Saturdays at 11am
 
Children 7 years or older must participate in the Parish First Holy Communion Program – which will lead to their First Confession and First Holy Communion.