Sacraments
The beautiful stained glass window "Communion" was commissioned in memory of Jean Helm 1927-2000 . The window design was created by artist Susan McCathy BA Hons
Baptism Baptism is one of the three sacraments of initiation by
which we become members of Christ’s Church.
Parishioners who wish to have their child baptised should
contact Fr Anthony to talk about attending the Baptismal Preparation Course run by
one of our Catechists. Once the course has been undertaken a date can be booked
for the baptism ceremony. Baptisms at Our Lady and St Joseph Church usually
take place at 12.30 on Sundays following the 11.00am Mass. Initial applications should go directly to Father Anthony please
Confirmation
The sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the
sacraments of initiation and enables the candidate to accept the commitments
made at Baptism and take their place as a full member of the Church.
At Our Lady and St Joseph we run a programme to prepare
candidates to receive the sacrament. Adults and young people in Year 8 or above
wishing to be confirmed are asked to submit an application to Father Anthony.
Adults who wish to be confirmed may be prepared by Father Anthony or take part in
the RCIA programme (See below).
The Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred for adults at the
Easter Vigil and for younger candidates when the Bishop makes his pastoral
visit. Initial applications should go directly to Father Anthony please
First Holy Communion Programme & First Reconciliation
The Holy Eucharist is the great gift by which we experience
the ultimate sign of Christ’s presence. The Eucharist is the only one of the
three Sacraments of Initiation that can be received more than once. Frequent
reception of Holy Communion helps us to live the Christian life by deepening
our relationship with Christ and allowing Him to strengthen us in a very special
way.
At Our Lady and St Joseph there is a preparation course
every year to prepare children to receive their First Holy Communion. The dates
of the preparation course are advertised in the parish newsletter and parents of
children from Year 3 (and who are 7 by September 1st) are asked to
submit an application form. The course is run by a team of catechists and most
of the sessions take place on a Saturday morning.The preparation usually begins in the autumn and the First Holy Communion Mass is held on a Saturday in May. 
For more details please contact ourladystjosephcommunionteam@gmail.com
Becoming a Catholic or Deepening Your
Faith (RCIA)
For those who would like to find out more about becoming a
Catholic or who perhaps have not practised their faith for a number of years
and would like to deepen the understanding of their faith, there is the RCIA
Group which meets on a weekday evening in the Presbytery of Our Lady Star of
the Sea, Tilbury. RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
and refers to a set of ceremonies through which an individual becomes a full
member of the Catholic Church.
There are talks and discussions that focus on explaining the
Catholic faith and what it means to be a Catholic Christian in today’s
world.
The RCIA course aims towards baptism or reception into the
Church at the Easter Vigil. Initial applications should go directly to Father Anthony please
Marriage
The sacrament of Matrimony acknowledges a couple’s
commitment to share their life together and to reveal God’s love to themselves
and those around them through the witness of their married lives.
Those who live in the parish or who have a strong link to the
parish may marry at Our Lady and St Joseph. All those wishing to marry
are required to give at least six months notice and to attend a course of
preparation.
The first stage is to meet with Fr Anthony and this should happen
before any other arrangements are made or venues booked. Reconciliation n the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God welcomes the return of the repentant sinner and offers the grace of forgiveness. This sacrament is also known as Confession (because it involves the sinner making a spoken confession to God through the ministry of a Priest) or Penance (because it requires an attitude of genuine repentance for wrong-doing). Sacramental Reconciliation is available at Our Lady and St Josephs, on request. In Advent and Lent we celebrate a Parish Reconciliation Service of music, readings and individual confessions.
Example of a Reconciliation Service
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