Parish of St. Laurence O'Toole, Kilmacud

Contents:

1. Baptism

2. Reconciliation

3. Eucharist

4. Confirmation

5. Marriage

6. Holy Orders

7. Anointing of the Sick

Baptism

Even before the birth of a child it is important to start planning for Baptism as after the birth there is so much to be done that things can become chaotic. It would be wrong to think of Baptism as something to be ‘got over and done with’ as quickly as possible. It is important to remember that when a child is baptised it is the beginning of his/her journey of faith.

For the parents this also means preparing themselves for the life journey of faith into which they are initiating their child. Registration of Baptism Your child’s Baptism will be recorded in St, Laurence’s Parish Baptismal Register. In the years ahead proof of Baptism may be obtained in the form of a certificate issued on the basis of this registration. Your child’s Confirmation, Marriage or Ordination will also be noted alongside this entry in the register.

Reconciliation

A proper preparation for this Sacrament is essential if people are to be helped to understand it and approach it in a more fulfilling way. This Sacrament includes acts of penance and reaching out to those from whom we have been alienated through sin. We cannot be reconciled to God without first being reconciled to our neighbour. In our parish schools the children are prepared for the sacrament in second class. Parents are asked to attend special pre-sacramental meetings during this year to explain the programme and to enable them to easily assist their children with the preparation. These meetings are vital in helping parents to recognise and assume their own responsibility with regard to handing on their faith to their children.

Penitential Services
While the primary responsibility for encouraging a child’s participation in this sacrament lies with the parents, the priests of the parish try to provide ample opportunity for confessions at the parish schools. Penitential Services take place during the year, during Lent and Advent when every child is given the chance to go to Confession in a less formal setting. A parish Penitential Service takes place also during Advent and Lent to which all parishioners are invited to attend. Visiting priests are available on these occasions and parishioners can come together as a community in prayerful reflection to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Children Attending Non-Catholic Schools
Parents who send their children to schools other than the parish schools are accepting full responsibility for the religious upbringing of their children. The Parish, however, will endeavour to help in this regard as much as possible.

Eucharist

Do this in memory of me
These are the words which Jesus used at the Last Supper when he gave His disciples the Eucharistic Sacrifice of His Body and Blood. For centuries the Church has proclaimed the Eucharist as "a memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection, a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace and a pledge of future glory is given to us " (Vatican ll, Liturgy, 47).The Eucharist is at the centre of the Church’s life and should help each of us grow in the love of God.

Sunday Mass
In 155 A.D. St. Justin wrote to the Roman Emperor explaining what Christians did on a Sunday.

"On this day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place.”

The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits. When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things. Then we all rise together and offer prayers for ourselves…and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the Commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation. When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss.

Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren.

He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks that we have been judged worthy of these gifts. When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying ‘Amen’.

When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the ‘eucharisted’ bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent."

Every Sunday at Mass we:
1. Come together to sing and to give praise to God.
2. Listen to God’s Word.
3. Offer thanksgiving in the Eucharistic Prayer.
4. Share in Holy Communion, the Body and Blood of Christ.
5. Go into the world with a mission – ‘ Go in peace to love and serve the Lord’

Confirmation

In the diocese of Dublin this Sacrament is conferred on children in Sixth Class. Through this sacrament the children continue on the path of Christian initiation which began with their Baptism. They receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and become witnesses of Christ in the work of building up his kingdom on earth. In order that they may properly appreciate this gift the children must be suitably prepared.

Programme of Preparation
Preparation begins early in 6th year when parents are invited to attend a meeting to enrol their child on the programme. The children are encouraged at this time to think about and pick a confirmation name.

An important element in the program is to teach young people about the importance of commitment and how much they will need the help of the Holy Spirit in fulfilling their confirmation promises. During Advent they decide on some small commitments to make in their daily lives. These range from saying daily prayers to something practical like helping around the home. Parents are recommended to help their children to keep their promises.

Service of Light
At Baptism parents are given a lighted candle representing the flame of faith which has been kindled in their child. At Confirmation the child is considered to be responsible, under the continued supervision of the parents, for the future development of his/her faith. At the Ceremony of Light the Baptismal candle is passed from parents to children representing the shift of responsibility to the child.

Confirmation Name
Throughout the period of preparation for the Sacrament the children are encouraged to recognise their own ability to be individuals within the Church, with their own particular gifts of Spirit. However it is important that the children can at this time learn from the personal example of adults around them.They are encouraged to choose as a ‘sponsor’ someone they admire and to whom they can turn with complete confidence because of the personal example of their lives.

Confirmation Pledge
The Confirmation Pledge to abstain for alcohol until a particular age and to abstain from illicit drugs for life is made at the Service of Light prior to Confirmation Day.

Marriage

When a couple decides to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage they are asked to notify the Parish Office and make arrangements to meet one of the priests. A date may be provisionally booked at this time for the church. Within our Diocese every couple is required to give a minimum of three months notice of their wedding, if either of the couple is under 18 years of age six months notice is required.

Preparation for Marriage
To facilitate couples as they prepare for the Sacrament courses are arranged by Accord, see Directory Information section, and at Mount Argus, Harold’s Cross, Tel 296 4257 Attn Ms Angela O’Rourke

Administration
When the pre-marriage preparation has been completed the priest will assist with the paperwork which includes the Pre- Nuptial enquiry form. In cases of interfaith marriage or if the couple wish to be married in another country or another parish then some additional preparation is required. Baptismal and Confirmation Certificates are essential documents which must be issued no earlier than six months prior to marriage. They can be obtained by contacting the parish of Baptism.

The Ceremony
The priest will be able to give the couple information regarding the ceremony such as Readings, choice of marriage rites, music etc.There are a variety of prayers, readings and formularies for the ceremony and a couple should take some time to read over the texts carefully. Ideally the couple should also be involved in preparing the intentions for the Prayer of the Faithful.A friend or relative may be chosen to read the Readings at the ceremony.

Music
Music in the church should reflect our faith in Christ and his Words and should respect the sacred character of the occasion.

Photographs and Video recordings
It is important that the photographer is discreet and doesn’t distract from the solemnity of the ceremony.

Flowers
Please keep any arrangements modest and reasonable. Florists should book a time with the Parish Office to gain access to the church to arrange flowers. Flowers used to adorn the sanctuary should be left in the church.

Rehearsal
A rehearsal may be arranged prior to the wedding in consultation with the priest who will officiate and with the Parish Office.

Timing
It is ordinary courtesy to Priests and guests for the couple to be on time.

The Church
A parishioner is free to ask any of the priests of the parish to assist with the marriage.There are no weddings held on Sundays in the Diocese of Dublin. Please Note: Confetti is prohibited because it is unsightly and can leave a mess in the church grounds, especially if it is wet or windy. It is also difficult to remove.

Support for Married Couples
Family pressures and work commitments can leave couples with too little time for each other. Relationships are taken for granted and people forget that closeness in marriage has to be worked at. When a relationship has broken down all might not be lost. Below are some agencies which offer assistance to married couples:

Retrouvaille
Tony and Anne Shiels, 4 Charleville, Lower Churchtown Rd, Dublin 14. Tel. 295 1959

Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service
39 Harcourt St. Dublin 2. Tel. 478 0866

Mount Argus Marriage Preparation Courses
are run by Fr Pat Rogers CP. Contact Ms Angela O’Rourke for information Tel. 296 4257

Holy Orders

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the seventh and final Sacrament of the Church. Jesus made it clear, both at the Last Supper and again after the Resurrection, that he wanted His work on earth to continue after He returned to the Father.

All of us as baptised Christians, led by the Spirit of Jesus, are called to be His witnesses, both in what we say and in how we live. In this way we literally re-present Him. Priests are ordained to re-present Christ specifically through preaching the Gospel, and through celebrating the Eucharist, and the other Sacraments.

Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders a priest, in spite of his own human limitations, and even his personal sinfulness, "becomes Christ" for the people. This is not just a matter of imitating Christ. We believe that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, it is Christ himself who teaches, feeds, heals, and forgives His people, through the ministry of the priest. To use the language of theology a priest is configured to Christ, and all his ministry flows from his identity with Christ.

Vocation
The Diocesan Vocations Centre produces a booklet which answers many of the questions of those discerning a vocation to the priesthood.

The Vocations Centre may be contacted at Tel: (01) 872 5014.

Anointing

In every Sacrament which we receive we meet with Christ. These times occur often at special points of our lives and give us sustenance and help to deal with the daily challenges of life.

When a person is seriously ill or dying it can often be a time of great fear, anxiety and even loneliness. The sick person can often find this a very difficult and frustrating time and in suffering needs the comfort, reassurance and healing which Christ always gives to the sick.

Time and time again in the Gospels the sick came to Him for healing, such as the time when the woman with the haemorrhage approached Him and touched His clothes:

"If I can touch His clothes" she told herself "I shall be well again" The source of the bleeding dried up instantly and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. Immediately aware that power had gone out from Him, Jesus turned around in the crowd and said "Who touched My clothes?" Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her. She fell at His feet and told Him the whole truth. "My daughter" He said, "your faith has restored you to health: go in peace and be freed from your complaint" (Mark 5: 28-34)

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a time when people can be touched by the healing of Christ. It is often, in spite of some current thought, not a frightening time but a time of reassurance and strengthening of faith in the presence of Christ, in the care He has for people in their suffering.

What happens in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?
At the very beginning of the Anointing of the Sick the priest says: Through the apostle James, He has commanded us: "Are there any who are sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord: and the power of prayer will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up and if they have committed any sins their sins will be forgiven them"

In many ways that sums up what happens in the Anointing of the Sick. A key moment is at the laying on of hands as a sign of the grace of the Holy Spirit to help the sick person in their suffering. Then the person is anointed on the forehead and hands with the oil of the sick and the following prayer is said:

Through this holy anointing may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.

In this Sacrament the sick person may receive Absolution, that is the forgiveness of sins, and may also receive Holy Communion.

Who should receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?
• Anyone who is in danger of death, because of illness or old age.
• A Catholic who falls seriously ill or who is due to have any major surgery.
• Elderly people who have become notably weakened.
• Sick children who have sufficient use of reason.

The Sacrament should not be administered when the person has died. Instead prayers for the deceased should be prayed.

The Sacrament should not be left for the last minute, just before the point of death, because it is a Sacrament of healing for people who are sick.

Priests’ Visits to the Sick
If anyone of your family or a neighbour is seriously ill you should inform a priest. It may not always be possible for a priest to visit him/her in hospital but it is always possible to pray for the sick person. Many times during sickness people find it impossible or difficult to pray and so the prayers of the parish community are often vital.

The Society of Simon of Cyrene visit housebound and sick people in Kilmacud as well as seniors living alone. SSC Visitors call every week or fortnight on an ongoing and long term basis and constantly liaise with the Clergy of the parish.

First Friday Visits
It is a custom in the Irish Church for the priests to visit the sick of the parish on the week of the first Friday. This is an opportunity for the sick to receive the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion. More recently this has been facilitated by the help of lay and religious Ministers of the Eucharist who are able to bring Communion to the sick several times a month. This is a sign of unity between the sick and the rest of the community, through the Eucharist.