I would like to volunteer to serve in parish ministry, what can I do?
Lay people are needed to serve the Church as Lectors and as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. We are always anxious to recruit members for our choirs. Please consult the section on ‘Parish Team’ to discover contact details and more information.
I am a non-Catholic, how do I learn more about the Catholic faith?
The Church believes that it is the visible community established by Jesus Christ who entrusted it with spreading the Good News. This ensures that mission is at the heart of the Church’s activity and that encouraging people to become Catholic is of fundamental importance. Whatever your current knowledge of Catholicism you may find the following suggestions helpful in deepening your understanding:
- Speak to a local priest about the faith.
- Consult authoritative texts on the Church’s teaching. The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Compendium explain the core beliefs.
- Watch some of the programming on EWTN (Channel 589) if you have the Sky satellite facility.
- Refer to some of the teaching resources and periodicals that are mentioned in the ‘Links’ section of this website.
- Attend Holy Mass to gain an understanding of how we believe as we pray (lex orandi, lex credendi).
- Speak with lay Catholic friends who can explain how their Catholic faith influences their lives.
After becoming more informed you may want to journey further and ultimately into full communion with the Catholic Church. It is important to constantly ask God for guidance through prayer. The Holy Spirit will help you along the way. If you have resolved to become a Catholic you should meet with a priest to begin instruction. Often this will be in accordance with the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) programme.
Your formal reception into the Church will take different forms depending on your background. For example, you may be an un-baptized person or have been baptized in a Christian community whose rite is recognized by the Catholic Church. In any event, reception of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist will mark your full entry into both the local parish and a worldwide community of believers.
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Our family has suffered a bereavement, how do we arrange the funeral liturgy?
Firstly, on behalf of the parish community we offer our condolences and our prayers for the soul of the deceased.
To arrange a funeral in Church please make contact with a priest in the parish. He will help you in preparing for the funeral. Please remember that the Church asks the family of the deceased to respect certain guidelines designed to preserve the integrity of the funeral liturgy.
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How do we arrange to marry in the parish?
Congratulations if you are engaged to be married!
A priest in the parish will require at least 3 months notice in advance of your planned wedding date. However, notice as early as possible is desirable.
Receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony involves much spiritual preparation and so prospective couples in the parish are asked to participate in an approved Marriage Preparation course. The priest will help in arranging this.
In addition to the needs of the Church there are civil obligations that must be fulfilled before a couple can marry in this jurisdiction.
What paperwork does the Church require before marriage?
Each couple should give the priest a minimum of 3 months notice before they intend to marry. In addition, each party must fill out a ‘Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form’. The prospective bride and groom must each meet separately with the priest before this Form can be completed. Prior to meeting with the priest you should have the following documents in your possession:
- A recently issued copy of your Baptismal Certificate.
- A recently issued copy of your Confirmation Certificate.
- A Letter of Freedom from each parish you have lived in since you were 18. (This is a statement from the parish priest that you were never married).
The above documents indicate that you are a full member of the Church and that there is no record of you having been previously married in Church or if so that such marriage has come to an end upon the death of your spouse.
The ‘Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form’ records that the individual is baptized, confirmed and is free to marry. It also states that he or she has undertaken suitable preparation and has a good understanding of the duties and responsibilities of married life. This Form is retained in the archive of the parish where the wedding takes place.
What if I want to marry a person of another Christian denomination?
This is known as an Inter Church marriage. The Catholic party must obtain a dispensation from the diocesan bishop. This is contingent upon the Catholic person promising to baptize the children and raise them in the Catholic faith.
If you want the marriage to take place in the church of another denomination and according to its rites then a further dispensation of Form is required. The local bishop must also grant this permission.
What if I want to marry a non-baptised person or someone of another faith?
This is known as an Inter Faith marriage. A Disparity of Cult dispensation must be granted by the local bishop.
What are the State requirements for marriage?
Although you are marrying in the rite of the Catholic Church there is paperwork to complete in advance to ensure that your marriage is valid in the eyes of the State. The Marriage (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 sets out essential new requirements of the civil law for marriage. It is important that each party complies with the following steps:
1) Go to the local registrar and obtain a Notice of Marriage form as soon as possible. In this area you can acquire a form from Craigavon Borough Council, Civic Centre, PO Box 66, Lakeview Road, Craigavon BT64 1AL.
2) The Notice of Marriage form should be brought to the priest/deacon who is to officiate at the marriage (the officiant). He should sign the appropriate section of the form to indicate his willingness to officiate – he must be a registered officiant.
3) Each party must submit the completed Notice of Marriage form, relevant documents, declarations and fees to the Registrar of Marriages in the district where the marriage is to take place. It is recommended that you do this about 8 weeks before the wedding date.
4) When the Registrar is satisfied with the information, the Marriage Schedule will issue. It should be ready for collection 14 days prior to the date of the marriage. It must be signed for by the prospective bride or groom.
5) You should bring the Marriage Schedule to the priest of the place where the marriage is taking place at least 3 days prior to the wedding. If no Marriage Schedule is presented to the officiant on the day of the wedding then no marriage can take place.
6) Immediately after the ceremony the Marriage Schedule must be signed by both parties, the officiant and two witnesses. You should be given the Marriage Schedule for which you sign a receipt.
7) You should return the Marriage Schedule to the local Registrar within 3 days of the wedding. |
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How do I go about arranging a Baptism?
If you are the parents of a baby for whom who desire Baptism please attend the pre-Baptismal meeting which is held at 7.30pm every Friday evening in the Church of St. John the Baptist.
If you are an unbaptised adult and you wish to be received into the Church, please attend the same meeting or otherwise make contact with a priest who will discuss the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) with you
For more information on the Sacrament of Baptism please consult ‘Baptism’ in the section on Sacraments.
How do I go about choosing godparents?
Godparents (Sponsors) were required at baptism for early Christians because these early converts had no Christian parents of their own. Today the role of speaking for the baptized person and accompanying him in faith is primarily the responsibility of believing parents. Nonetheless, the practice of having godparents at baptism continues.
The Church only formally requires a single godparent although often parents will opt for two, one of each sex. A godparent must be a baptized and confirmed practicing Catholic of at least 16 years of age. His or her role involves sharing with the parents in the task of forming the baptized person in faith and Christian living.
In this Parish, you can have a maximum of two Godparents - one male and one female.
What kind of name can I select for my child?
The name that a child receives at Baptism should be one that reflects Christian mystery or virtue. While there is no strict obligation to choose the name of a saint it is certainly the case that the name of someone who has lived an exemplary spiritual life would be entirely appropriate. A saint is a model of charity and fidelity to the Lord. Above all, it is important to avoid names that would offend Christian sentiment and virtue.
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Do the priests make house visits?
Yes. The priests visit the housebound and infirm every month. If you would like a loved one to be included please inform a priest or the parish secretary.
Are those in hospital visited?
The priests endeavour to call at Craigavon Area Hospital as often as they can. If you have a loved one who is a patient and they would appreciate a visit, please inform one of the priests.
In the event that a loved one is gravely ill you may wish to have the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick administered. In that case please make contact with a priest.
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