Introduction:
The seven sacraments—Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Confession, Marriage, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick—are the life of the Church. Each sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace. When we participate in them worthily, each provides us with graces for the life of God in our soul. In worship, we give to God that which we owe Him; in the sacraments, He gives us the graces necessary to live a truly human life.
The first three sacraments—Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion—are called the sacraments of initiation, because the rest of our life as a Christian depends on them.
Baptisms take place in the Church on the 2nd Sunday of each month, after the 12:00pm Mass. Due to Christmas preparations Baptism in December will take place on a later Sunday in the month.
The Sacrament of Confirmation:
The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments of initiation because, historically, it was administered immediately after the Sacrament of Baptism. Confirmation perfects our baptism and brings us the graces of the Holy Spirit that were granted to the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday.
If you wish to enquire about being confirmed, contact the parish office.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion:
While Catholics in the West today normally make their First Communion before they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the reception of Christ’s Body and Blood, was historically the third of the three sacraments of initiation. This sacrament is the source of great graces that sanctify us and help us grow in the likeness of Jesus Christ.
For those unable to get to the church for Mass, contact the parish office to receive the Eucharist at home.
The Sacrament of Confession:
The Sacrament of Confession is one of the least understood, and least utilized, sacraments in the Catholic Church. In reconciling us to God, it is a great source of grace, and Catholics are encouraged to take advantage of it often, even if they are not aware of having committed a mortal sin.
Confession Time: Saturday, after the 10:00am Mass.
The Sacrament of Marriage:
Marriage, a lifelong union between a man and a woman for procreation and mutual support, is a natural institution, but it is also one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. It reflects the union of Jesus Christ and His Church.
“no longer two but one” (Matthew 19:6)
Congratulations on your decision to get married. We hope that the time of preparation will be a time of great joy. Let us tell you what you will need for your Church wedding… besides the fiancée or the fiancé … (which you probably have by now).
– Book a Church and make sure you have a priest. Priests are very scarce, but if you are getting married in your own parish the parish priest will be delighted to witness and bless your marriage (besides it’s his job), but if you are getting married outside your parish you will have to arrange the priest yourself (N.B. there are no agency priests!)
– Take a course with ACCORD. Excellent experience and a good moment to chat about the different dimensions of marriage. You should try and do this ASAP. ACCORD will give you a cert that you will need for your pre-nuptial enquiry. (Tip … don’t book the course on a Saturday that coincides with yer man’s club playing the final … or herself’s hen party)
– You will need an updated baptismal cert from the Parish where you were Christened (Yes, baptism and Christening are the same thing). Why, you ask, must it be updated? Very clever question, but the answer is spectacular. If you had been married in any Catholic Church in the world, a note is sent back to your baptismal parish and is written in beside your name in the register. The Church takes marriage very seriously as it should.
– You will also need a confirmation certificate. You may get it from the Church in which you were confirmed.
– Very importantly you will need a form called “Statement Concerning the Freedom to Marry” (see below for a link to download the form). A parent or sibling sign this form in the presence of their local priest who also has to sign it and put the parish stamp on it. This document is a solemn declaration that you have not been married before. It prevents you from having to go to each parish where you have lived to ask for a review of the parish marriage Register.
When you have gathered all the documentation, you will need to get in contact with your own parish priest and organise an appointment to do your pre-nuptial enquiry. A pre-nuptial enquiry requires one or several chats between you both and the priest. It doesn’t matter where you are getting married or which priest is officiating this has to be done in your parish. At the end of this conversation, the priest will fill out some forms and ask you to sign them. These forms are sent to the Church where you will get married. (If you are getting married outside Ireland you will want to get this done quickly as all the papers are sent by post …. yes with envelope, stamps and address and all that old-fashioned sort of thing).
So now you have a clearer picture, and we hope that it contributes to a beautiful day, a happy and blessed marriage.
For Full details on the preparations for marriage. Please see the guidance document;
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How our Church may look for a Wedding.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders:
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is the continuation of Christ’s priesthood, which He bestowed upon His Apostles. There are three levels to this sacrament: the diaconate, the priesthood, and the episcopate.
To enquire about ordination to the diaconate or priesthood, contact a priest of the parish, or the diocesan vocations office. Fr. Eamonn Bourke, Director of Vocations at 0868346071 or email: vocations@dublindiocese.ie
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick:
Traditionally referred to as Extreme Unction or Last Rites, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered both to the dying and to those who are gravely ill or are about to undergo a serious operation, for the recovery of their health and for spiritual strength.
“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (Jas. 5:14–15)
Practical things you might need to know about this Sacrament:
1. If you are from the Parish of Balally and need a priest urgently, please call 0894824671 As a member of our community we wish you to have all the spiritual consolations that the Church can offer you in your serious illness.
2. A person does not have to be dying to receive this sacrament. Indeed, it is proper to receive this grace when we can participate in a conscious way.
3. If you have a family member who is seriously unwell, do not hesitate to call the priest.
4. The priests of the parish visit the housebound regularly and offer the sacrament of the sick, confession and communion.
- Contact Fr. Peter using the Contact form at the bottom of this page or call (01) 295 4296 if you require this ministry.
5. Eucharistic ministers are available to bring the Eucharist to those members of the community who are unable to get to the church.
- Contact the Parish Office using the Contact form at the bottom of this page or call (01) 295 4296 if you wish for the Eucharist to be brought to you.
6. The Sacrament of the Sick is celebrated publically in the parish at least once a year during Lent.
