BAPTISM

All requests for infant Baptism should be made via the Parish Office. The preparation for Baptism includes a short Baptism Preparation Course and the actual celebration of the Baptism. 

Baptisms are celebrated at 12.30 pm on Sunday – following the 11.00am Mass.

 Adult Baptisms normally occur during the Easter Vigil Mass. All adult Baptism follow catechesis through the RCIA programme. Please contact the Parish Office, email  or speak to one of the priests if you are interested in the RCIA programme 

 FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PREPARATION

The yearly programmes will be advertised in the weekly bulletin and will give parents details of how to register for the next preparation programme.  The contact email for those registering or taking part in the programme is 

If you would like to train to be a catechist, please contact the Parish Office. (The role is subject to a DBS check)

RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION)

Reconciliation is available weekly.  Please check the Newsletter or Mass Schedule on the website for the current details.

First Forgiveness for Year 4 Children is conferred as part of First Holy Communion Programme.

COMMUNION

First Holy Communion

First Holy Communion for Year 4 children is conferred as part of the  I Belong Sacramental Programme

If you have been baptised as a Catholic but have yet to receive the Eucharist - please speak to one of the priests or contact the parish office.  Depending on the circumstances it may be that the RCIA course would be appropriate for you. 

Communion for the sick and housebound

Please pass on details to one of the priests of anyone known to you in the parish who would benefit from this provision.

CONFIRMATION

School Age

For those of school age Confirmation will take place in Year 8. The confirmation preparation programme is coordinated across the Pastoral Area and advertised in the parish bulletin. The bulletin notice will contain information on how to register.

Adults

Any adult wishing to be confirmed should contact the parish office (preferably by email). The parish office will pass these details to the catechists who will then contact you when a course in organised.  The course is held in the run up to Easter and will be advertised on the Parish Bulletin. The sacrament is normally conferred at the Easter Vigil.

MARRIAGE

St Mary's  attracts many applicants from outside our parish. 

Couples should contact the parish office who will advise couples as to whether they are eligible to marry in St. Mary's or not. 

Anyone living outside the parish must contact their own parish priest to discuss their plans, arrange for paperwork to be completed and to receive preparation for the Sacrament.

Couples wishing to marry at St Mary's  are required to attend a preparation course run by the Archdiocese.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Please contact the Parish Office. 

If you are in hospital  and wish to receive the sacrament please ask the staff to contact the Catholic Chaplaincy who should be able to organise a priest to visit. 

FUNERALS

At times of bereavement the parish makes every effort to support and accompany families during this difficult period.  In the first instance please contact a funeral director who will liase with the Parish Office. The Parish Office will then put the wheels into motion.

 Holy Orders and Vocations to Religious Life 

Holy Orders is the sacrament by which bishops, priests and deacons are ordained and receive the power and grace to perform their sacred duties. The rite by which orders are conferred is called ordination.

Priests may be secular i.e. they belong to a specific diocese or religious – ie they are part of an order such as the Redemptorists, Dominicans, Franciscans and Jesuits.

Archdiocesan Vocations

The Archdiocese of Liverpool' priestly discernment meetings called ‘responding to the call’ are advertised in the parish bulletin.

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For more information visit the vocations section of the archdiocesan website  or email

PERMANENT DIACONATE

Throughout the year the Archdiocese provides opportunities to learn more about the permanent diaconate.  Permanent deacons can Baptise, officiate at weddings, and officiate at funerals.  ‘Diaconate’ come and see evenings are advertised in the parish bulletin.

CONSECRATED LIFE

Although Holy Orders are restricted to the Priestly hierarchy, Deacons, Priests, Bishops etc, there are other ways in which one may dedicate one's life to God.  This may be as a religious brother a nun, a  sister, consecrated virgin etc The National Vocations Office has a website dedicated to providing information on the various forms of consecrated life. Click here to find out more.

RETURNING TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

If you have been away from the Church for some time you may have many questions and/or may have missed out on some of the Sacraments eg Confirmation. It may be helpful for you to speak to one of the Priests. Contact the Parish Office for an appointment or speak to one of the Priests after Mass.

Depending on the circumstances it may be that the RCIA course would be appropriate for you.

 RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS

The RCIA group aims to prepare adults for reception into the Catholic Church. The group caters for those new to the Faith and those returning who may have missed out on the Sacraments.

A group of catechists leads adults who are interested in knowing more about the Church. However, the most important aspect of the series of meetings is the sharing of faith. The programme lasts six to seven months. It culminates in a service for all who have been involved in the Metropolitan Cathedral  of Christ the King, on the first Sunday of Lent, where the Archbishop conducts the Rite of Election. At the end of Lent, those who have chosen to become Catholics are received into the Church during the Easter Vigil.

Meetings are advertised in the parish bulletin and on the website. If you wish to explore the programme of reception into the Church please contact the parish office speak to one of the priests or email