Sacraments & Journey in Faith
How do I become a Catholic?
Most Catholics were baptised into the Catholic Church as infants. Then they grew up in Catholic homes and were often educated in Catholic schools, gradually being drawn more deeply into the full sacramental life of the Church through First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Other people - previously baptised in other Christian traditions, and already our brothers and sisters in the Christian faith - become Catholics after a long period of preparation by making a solemn profession of faith, and receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and Communion. This is called being ‘received into full communion with the Catholic Church’, as all Christians are already in some degree of communion or unity with us.
Others - not previously baptised at all - become Catholic Christians through a process of Christian initiation (called the catechumenate) which reaches a climax with the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Mass. This is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.).
Whether a person is a candidate (someone already baptised in another Christian tradition) or a catechumen (an unbaptised person), we ask him or her to take part in a programme of weekly sessions from October to Easter. Depending on the circumstances of the group, the sessions take place either on Thursday evenings or on Saturday afternoons. Each session includes prayer, teaching, sharing our faith and discussion. Finally, at the great Easter Vigil Mass, those who complete the process are welcomed with great joy into the Catholic Church.
Please introduce yourself to one of the priests or deacons if you are interested in becoming a Catholic. We look forward to meeting you.
Journey in Faith
If you are not a Catholic but would like to know more about the faith of our church you are welcome to come along on a Monday evening at 8pm [term time] with no obligation to join. The evenings have some input by a member of the Parish Team and Catholics and non-Catholics discuss their feelings about the input and share with each other those things they may not understand.
Baptism
Through Baptism, God our Father brings a baby, child or adult into his royal family, adopting the person as his own beloved daughter or son. We become the brother or sister of Jesus Christ, and of our fellow Christians. Baptism is very much a family affair a special day both for the child’s or adult’s family and for the family of the Church, and it needs careful preparation. Baptism preparation of infants at St Joseph’s involves a 4 week course which take place every month on Sunday afternoons 3.45-4.45 pm. At St Joseph’s we regard these baptism afternoons as essential before a baptism can take place. There are leaflets giving more details about Baptism on the wall of the church foyer. Contact a Priest during his Surgery ane he will give you an application form, enrol you for the preparation sessions, and arrange a date for the baptism itself. The priest or deacon appointed to celebrate the baptism will visit you at home to make any arrangements. You may have either one or two godparents, each of whom must be a confirmed, practising Catholic. You may also have non-Catholic Christians as witnesses to the Baptism.Every Baptism involves the Church, and the whole parish community should be involved as fully as possible. The best time for Baptism, therefore, is at Mass on Sunday, in the presence of the parish community gathered for worship. At St Joseph’s, we strongly encourage Baptism during Sunday Mass. If for some reason you prefer not to have your baby’s Baptism at Mass, it can take place at a service on Saturday afternoon or Sundays afternoon to which parishioners are also invited. There can be no such thing as a private Baptism - that would contradict the whole meaning of Baptism. If your baby is not baptised during Mass, we would like publicly to welcome your child into our parish community at Mass the following Sunday or soon afterwards.
Please note that two months notice is required, and you may give this before the baby is born. Please contact the Parish Office or a member of the Parish Team. Next course will begin Sunday 7 February 2011.
If you are a couple or individual expecting a baby, you are warmly invited to ask the priest for a blessing for your unborn child and yourselves.
Reconciliation and First Holy Communion - the 2011/12 First Communion Programme has now begun. If you have missed this course please be sure to see the newsletter next July/August to enrol for next years course in September.
St Joseph's Parish Bromley First Reconciliation 2011/2012 - Timetable
Sacramental Formation that Lasts a Lifetime!
First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion preparation will be on Tuesday evenings 6.30 -7.30pm in the Upper Room & Sunday Mornings after 9.15am Mass @ 10.30 in the Upper Room & Holy Trinity Convent
1st Session 13th & 18th September
Matthew 4: 18-20 God Chooses Me
2nd Session 20th & 25th September
John 14: 21 I Grow Closer to Jesus
3rd Session 4th & 9th October
Luke 10: 25-28 I Learn About Rules of Love
4th Session 11th & 16th October
Matthew 18: 21-22 I Disobey the Rules Sometimes
5th Session 8th & 13th November
Matthew 19: 13-15 Being Sorry: Asking Forgiveness
6th Session 15th & 20th November
1 Corinthians 2:9 Reconciliation: Let's Celebrate
Friday 25th November @ 8pm in Parish Hall
Parents Evening Reviewing the Sacrament of Reconciliation
First Reconciliation will take place In St Joseph's Church On Saturday 21st January 2012 @ 12 noon followed by a small celebration in the Hall
On Saturday 14th January there will be a practice/review session
@ 10 am followed a tour of the Church
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CONFIRMATION
Your children need you alongside them as they continue to journey in faith. Only with your help can we, as a parish, effectively support your children in sustaining their ongoing commitment to say ‘yes’ to God’s call to them as they are confirmed in faith.
Confirmation takes place in May or June each year and preparation begins in the autumn. Please see weekly newsletter for information and application forms in September.
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MARRIAGE
The Marriage Preparation Team consists of married couples who offer those planning to marry the opportunity to talk together in an informal atmosphere. Using their own experience of married life, the team aims to help couples preparing for marriage to cope with problems and pitfalls through better communication. These very informal discussions take place during the six-month notice period required for marriages.
Contact: Father Tom.
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CONFIRMATION
Your children need you alongside them as they continue to journey in faith. Only with your help can we, as a parish, effectively support your children in sustaining their ongoing commitment to say ‘yes’ to God’s call to them as they are confirmed in faith.
Confirmation takes place in May or June each year and preparation begins in the autumn. Please see weekly newsletter for information and application forms in September.
_
MARRIAGE
The Marriage Preparation Team consists of married couples who offer those planning to marry the opportunity to talk together in an informal atmosphere. Using their own experience of married life, the team aims to help couples preparing for marriage to cope with problems and pitfalls through better communication. These very informal discussions take place during the six-month notice period required for marriages.
Contact: Father Tom.
.
