Sacraments

St. Peter's welcomes new members of the Church with the rite of Baptism. For infants a baptismal service can be arranged on Sunday afternoon following consultation with the Parish Priest.

Parents are encouraged to consider having their child baptised during the main 10 o'clock Mass on a Sunday morning. This enables all the parishioners to celebrate the entry of a child into the Catholic faith. Special parts of the Mass are dedicated to the reception of the child; the whole service is a very moving and inclusive way to have a child baptised.

Adult baptism, generally, takes place at Easter during the Vigil Mass of Easter Sunday. Prior to this there is a Rite of Election on the first Sunday of Advent.

Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday mornings from 10.30 am until 11 am and again in the afternoon from 4.45 pm until 5.15 pm (prior to Saturday's 5.30 pm Mass of the Sunday). Other times by appointment with Fr. John.

Holy Communion is a core part of celebrating the Mass. The Church encourages those who are properly disposed to receive Holy Communion whenever they participate in the Mass. Non-Catholics are warmly welcomed to our services. It is not permitted, however, to receive Holy Communion until the person is received into full membership of the Catholic Church. Members of the congregation not able to receive Holy Communion should, if they wish to, join the communicants and receive a blessing from the Celebrant or Special Minister – they indicate that they are not receiving the host by crossing their arms across their chest.

Catholic weddings are conducted at St. Peter's. Catholics must normally be married in the Church with the celebration of marriage solomised by the priest or an ordained deacon. Couples should contact the priest several months before the marriage. Marriages between Catholics and non-Catholics can take place at St. Peter's. Should the non-Catholic partner wish for a minister of their own church to be part of the service they should discuss this with the Parish Priest.