The Sacraments

Baptism

Parents wishing to have their children baptised are asked to speak to the parish priest before making any arrangements. Baptisms normally take place on Sunday afternoons from 1 pm: a preparation session beforehand is necessary. Please ring the parish office for more details.

First Holy Communion

The children of the parish usually receive their first Holy Communion when they are 7 or 8 years old (ie. school year 3). Those attending St. Laurence’s School will be prepared as part of their normal religious instruction. For those who do not attend a Catholic school the parish provides a class on Saturday mornings during term time.

Look out for the dates of the next course, or contact us.

Confirmation

The young people of the parish are confirmed during the school year in which they reach the age of 14 (i.e. school year 9). Confirmation classes run for about six months of the year. The course is intensive, but fun and includes a weekend away on retreat.

For more details see here or contact us.

Confession

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturday at 10:15 am (after 9:30 Mass) and at 5:30 pm or on request: please ring for an appointment.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

The Catholic Church warmly welcomes new members, and tries to provide an appropriate spiritual formation according to each person’s need. If you are interested in becoming a Catholic please contact the Parish Priest.

Marriage

You are asked to give at least six months notice of an intended wedding. Longer notice would be appreciated, as the most essential task is to begin a period of preparation for marriage (a lifelong state), which needs to be separate from the preparation for a wedding (a forty five minute ceremony). Please ring the parish office to make an appointment.

An important part of preparation is attendance at the course run by the Diocese, “So Great A Mystery”. Full details of this course, along with other useful information and links to some of the required forms, can be found HERE.

Holy Communion of the Sick

We have a number of Special Ministers of the Eucharist who are able to bring Holy Communion to the sick and housebound. If you would like to receive communion yourself or you know of someone else who is sick, please ring the parish office.

Please call the parish priest at any time when there is serious illness or danger of death. In case of an admission to Addenbrooke’s Hospital please ask for the Catholic Chaplain to be called.

Funerals

We would like to be of as much assistance as possible when somebody dies. It would help if the parish priest was informed before any other arrangements are made.

Funeral directors work in conjunction with relatives and clergy so that a fitting celebration of Christian death can occur.

Repository

There is a repository area in the Narthex where a selection of bibles, missals, prayer cards, children’s books, rosaries, icons, etc. can be found. The repository is open after all Sunday Masses and on request through the parish office.