Sacramental Programmes

ST PETER CHANEL PARISH

CATHOLIC PARISH OF WAIMAKARIRI

SACRAMENTS

The liturgical life of the Catholic Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments. There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation (Penance), Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.

The purpose of the sacraments is to make people holy, to build up the body of Christ, and finally, to give worship to God; but being signs, they also have a teaching function. They not only presuppose faith, but by words and object, they also nourish, strengthen, and express it; that is why they are called “sacraments of faith.” The sacraments impart grace, but, in addition, the very act of celebrating them disposes the faithful most effectively to receive this grace in a fruitful manner, to worship God rightly, and to practice charity.

Worship is integral to our lives as Christians. When we engage in the prayer and ritual of the Church, we are formed as Church. Our sacramental rites are of primary importance while we are gathered.

Baptism

Reconciliation

First Holy Communion

Confirmation

Marriage

Annointing of the Sick

Holy Orders

Consecrated Life

Sacrament of Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments of the Church: It is the first in terms of time because Catholics mostly receive this when they are infants. It is also the first sacrament in terms of priority because the reception of all the other sacraments depends on it. Sacrament of Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation – it comes or is received prior to receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Once baptised, a person becomes a member of the Church. Anyone interested in being baptised or having their child baptised is encouraged to contact the Parish Office to make an appointment with the Parish Priest.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of our Catholic faith. Jesus Christ, in His love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available before Mass on Saturdays in Rangiora at 5:15pm and in Kaiapoi at 9am, as well as anytime by approaching a priest.
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21-23).

Sacrament of First Holy Communion

If your child is 7 years of age at the start of the programme in March and is a baptised Catholic, then he/she is eligible to make his/her FHC. Enrolment forms will be available in the church foyers and at the St Patrick's and St Joseph’s school offices. Please return completed forms to the parish office. For information ring office 313 6285 or email admin@waimakariricatholic.org.nz

Catholic Faith Delivered

Our Parish First Holy Communion programme uses the Grade 2 Faith and Life series. The students are prepared for the sacraments of Penance and First Holy Communion through studying the development of salvation history. As students learn about God’s plan of love and mercy, they begin to understand that these sacraments are God’s gift to us and that they too are part of God’s loving plan. Special emphasis is given to preparation for and reception of these sacraments, as well as learning about the Mass.

Sacrament of Confirmation

If you are Catholic and Year 7 and above, including adults, and would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation a preparation course will be run in Term 3. More details will be published in our Parish newsletter and on our St Peter Chanel Facebook page at the end of Term 2.

Chosen

Our Parish Confirmation programme uses the Chosen DVD series. It is a twenty-four-lesson program that provides everything we need to prepare our students both intellectually and spiritually to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and to become lifelong disciples of Christ.

Sacrament of Marriage

Congratulations on your up-coming marriage. The Church rejoices with you, and wants your wedding day and married life to be richly blessed. We are pleased to be able to assist you in the preparation and celebration of your wedding in St Peter Chanel Catholic Parish.
Click Here for more info

Sacrament of Annointing of the Sick

The anointing of the sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. It is most likely one of the last sacraments one will receive. A sacrament is an outward sign established by Jesus Christ to confer inward grace. In more basic terms, it is a rite that is performed to convey God’s grace to the recipient, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sacrament of Holy Orders

Jesus calls men in every age to be ‘brothers-in-arms’ with him as priests. But he said that to accept such a call requires willingness to ‘Enter by the narrow gate’, and warned ‘It is a hard road’. However he also promised that it is a gate and a road that ‘lead to life’ (c.f. Matthew 7:13-14). Any vocation worthy of the name, whether single, married, or religious, demands courage, trust, generosity, compassion, dedication, resilience and initiative.
Holy Cross Seminary

'I have separated you from other people, that you should be Mine.'

Leviticus 20:26

Consecrated Life

Religious life derives from the mystery of the Church. It is a gift she has received from her Lord, a gift she offers as a stable way of life to the faithful called by God. Religious life in its various forms is called to signify the very charity of God in the language of our time. All religious take their place among the collaborators of the Diocesan Bishop in his pastoral duty. From the outset of the work of evangelisation, the missionary "planting" and expansion of the Church require the presence of the religious life in all its forms.
Community of the Beatitudes
Carmelite Monestery
Sisters of Nazareth
Sisters of Mercy

The history of human salvation is the history of the way God came to men. The first step on this way was the bridging of the gulf separating God and man in the person of the one Mediator Jesus Christ and by his work of redemption. By means of his Church Christ makes his grace available to all. Only in this application of redemption to mankind is the redemptive action of Christ completed. The doctrine of the sacraments is the doctrine of the second part of God’s way of salvation to us. It deals with the holy signs which Christ instituted as the vehicles of his grace.