About the Church

Sacraments

Baptisms

Baptisms take place strictly by appointment only, most often on Saturdays. It is expected that families of children to be baptised will be living within the parish, and already attending Sunday Mass regularly. If you would like to have your child baptised, please contact Fr Richard, who will be very happy to explain the process.

First Holy Communion

First Communion classes are run in conjunction with our parish primary school - children normally make their First Communion when they are in Year 3. They must be attending Mass regularly and take a full part in the preparation process, which includes First Confession - it is expected that their parents will also be fully committed to this process and give all the necessary support to their children. We are also able to prepare a limited number of children for First Communion who are not attending the parish primary school - however this is only possible if they live in the parish and have already attended Sunday Mass for a significant period prior to their First Communion. Enrolment for preparation usually begins in November or December, and First Communion is received the following summer. Please contact Fr Richard for more information.

Confirmation

Confirmation classes are usually run every other year - young people are eligible if they live within the parish, have attended Sunday Mass regularly since their First Communion. For more details, contact Fr Richard.

We are also able to prepare adult Catholics for Confirmation, and to instruct non-Catholic adults who would like to learn more about our faith, with a view to being received into the Catholic Church. Those interested should contact Fr Richard personally.

Weddings

Those wishing to be married at St Mary Magdalen must also give a minimum of six months notice, to allow all the necessary legal and canonical paperwork to be completed, and to allow sufficient time for adequate preparation. If a couple wish to marry in this church, it is expected that at least one partner live within the parish, is a practising Catholic, and has attended Sunday Mass here regularly over a period of time. All enquiries regarding weddings should be addressed to Fr Richard.

The Sacrament of the Sick

When parishioners are housebound, we are happy to arrange for them to be visited and taken Holy Communion, and where appropriate to receive the ‘Sacrament of the Sick’ (anointing). The housebound, or their relatives and friends, should ask Fr Richard for more details.

Confession

Confessions are heard every Saturday, from 10.00 - 10.30 am, and from 5.00 - 5.30pm. Additional times are available before Christmas and Easter, and Fr Richard is also very happy hear Confessions by appointment, if these times are inconvenient.

Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form)

The Traditional Latin Mass is offered at least once a month at St Mary Magdalen, usually on the First Friday of every month at 7.00pm. Occasionally it is necessary to change the date of this monthly Mass - in June 2013 the Latin Mass will be celebrated on Friday June 14th at 7.00 pm, and in July it will be on Friday 12th July at 7.00 pm. There will not be a Latin Mass during August 2013. If you are travelling any distance to attend, please check with the Parish Office that the Mass is taking place as scheduled.