St John the Baptist

Parish life

During Mass or any service, the only permitted music is hymns or instrumental pieces without words. The parish runs an annual series of classes on Catholic teaching called Exploring Catholicism.

The parish runs a WhatsApp Community where only the administrator posts, sending the weekly bulletin and announcements, and hosting parish WhatsApp groups. Printed newsletters are available in church each weekend.

Sacraments and pastoral care

An Anointing Mass is held each Advent and Lent. Twice a year, the priest visits all the sick who cannot come to Mass and administers Holy Anointing to them.

Baptism preparation consists of two sessions, 'What is Baptism?' and 'The Responsibilities of Having a Child Baptised in the Catholic Church', with a guidebook given at the first. At least six months should normally be allowed between first contacting the parish and the proposed wedding date.

The funeral is ordinarily a Requiem Mass, because the Mass is the greatest prayer the Church can offer for the person who has died. Family and friends can be involved in the funeral by reading the scripture readings and prayers of intercession. The eulogy should not normally be longer than 500 words, with a strict policy of no bad language, inappropriate jokes, or negative comments. Funeral readings are always taken from the Holy Bible, with a first reading usually from the Old Testament, a Psalm, and a Gospel.

Confirmation is usually administered by the bishop when a child is in Year 6. The parish is creating a new confirmation preparation programme. Holy Communion is usually received for the first time when a child is in Year 3.

Visiting

Confession times are published in the parish newsletter, and private confession can be arranged by appointment. Information about Mass times, confession, adoration, and other prayer opportunities in the Divine Mercy Partnership is available in the Newsletter and on the website.