All posts by 3 churches

What happens at a baby’s baptism?

newsletter

The celebration of the Sacrament has four parts. If outside Mass they follow one after another, if in Mass they are integrated into the liturgy.

1. RECEPTION OF THE CHILD

The priest or deacon goes to the entrance of the church and questions the parents and godparents regarding the child’s name and their responsibilities. Finally celebrant, parents and godparents sign the child on the forehead.

2. CELEBRATION OF GOD’S WORD

Passages from Scripture are read, and the celebrant gives a short homily. Then the prayer of the faithful is said, after which the celebrant invokes the saints. Then there follow the Prayer of Exorcism and Anointing before Baptism. “Set him (her) free from original sin, make him (her) a temple of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell with him (her).. We anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Saviour; may he strengthen you with his power…”

3. CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT

At the font, the celebrant now blesses the water to be used, leading to the Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith. The celebrant then asks “Is it your will that N. should be baptised in the faith of the Church, which we have all professed with you?” He then baptises the child, saying: “N., I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”, as he immerses the child or pours the water over their head. The celebrant anoints the baby on the head with Chrism saying “As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life.” The baby is now clothed with a white garment. “You have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ. See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity.” Someone then lights the child’s candle from the Easter candle, as the celebrant says: “This light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly.” The rite of Ephphatha may follow where the celebrant prays ‘May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith…”

4. CONCLUSION OF THE RITE

Lastly all move to the altar, where the celebrant leads all in the Lord’s Prayer, followed by a blessing for mother, for father and for all present.

Christ the King Bidding Prayers for Epiphany, 6 January 2019

bidding prayers, Christ the King,

Priest: God the Father reveals to all the nations that Christ, his son, is to be their Saviour. Confident in his great love for us all – from kings to the poorest of the poor – we voice our needs and the needs of the world.

Reader: We pray for the Church, and for all bishops, priests and religious who bring the light of the gospel to those in darkness.      

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Reader: We pray for world leaders.  In these times of fear and tension, may they be less concerned with retribution and domination and more interested in cooperation and dialogues for peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Reader:   We pray for the poor and needy, and the helpless. Let us hear their cry and be the ones to help them, especially those suffering famine and natural disasters.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Reader:   Let us pray for ourselves, that we may joyously follow our Infant King and bring the light of his love to all we meet.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Reader:   We pray for all our family and friends that have died, may they rest in peace in the light of God’s glory, and may those who mourn be comforted. We remember especially Paul Grant whose funeral will take place here this week.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Now we ask for the intercession of Our Blessed Lady as we say – Hail Mary…. 

Let us pray for a while in silence, remembering our own needs and the needs of our families.

Priest: Loving Father, hear the prayers that we make in faith and grant us your blessing. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

The Apple tree

newsletter

Many years ago I sang in the choir at St David’s Cathedral. It helped give me a love for music which has stayed with me. Among the Christmas delights we enjoyed was an old poem set to music by Elizabeth Poston. It’s called “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree” – a strange title when you first hear it, but one which has lingered in my mind and grows as you reflect on the simple words. Catch it on Youtube, sung by, among others, the choir of King’s College Cambridge in 2009. Relax, reflect, enjoy…

The tree of life my soul hath seen, Laden with fruit and always green: The trees of nature fruitless be Compared with Christ the apple tree.

His beauty doth all things excel By faith I know, but ne’er can tell The glory which I now can see In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought And pleasure dearly I have bought: I missed of all; but now I see
‘Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I’m weary with my former toil, Here I will sit and rest awhile: Under the shadow I will be,
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

From “Divine Hymns or Spiritual Songs”, compiled by Joshua Smith 1784

Christ the King bidding prayers, 30 December 2018 (Feast of the Holy Family)

bidding prayers, Christ the King

Priest: On this Feast of the Holy Family we turn to our Father and ask him for our needs.

Reader: We pray for the Church, for its people and for its clergy. May we all help to spread the love of Jesus throughout the world.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. Let us pray that we may be supportive and forgiving in our own families. 

 Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let us pray that the Peace of Christ will overcome hate and resentment, and that people will learn to respect each other,

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Many people feel low at this time of the year.We pray that people who are lonely or depressed may be warmed by the Light of Christ. 

 Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all our Parishioners, friends and relatives who have died and gone before us in faith. We remember especially Nich Pearson whose funeral will take place here on Friday and Paul Grant who has died recently, May they rest in eternal peace.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let us ask Mary, mother of the Christ Child, to pray for us: Hail Mary…

Let us pray in silence for our own intentions.

Priest: God our loving Father we ask you to listen to all our prayers because we make them in faith and in the name of Jesus your Son who is Lord forever and ever. Amen.