BAPTISM Baptism is the fundamental Christian sacrament: we celebrate becoming part of God's family and the family of the Church. All the other sacraments build on baptism.
Both parents must attend an evening course before the baptism of their child. Courses take place on the first Thursday of the month at 7 pm in St Ann’s Parish Room, Vicarage Avenue, Cheadle Hulme. Please check dates below.
Booking is required for a meeting to take place. Please email to confirm your attendance: stannscheadlehulme@gmail.com
Please bring the completed St. Ann Baptism Form with you or one from St. Chad's on that evening. A proposed date for the baptism will be confirmed after the office has received the form. Parents attending to receive baptism in other parishes will need to make arrangements with their Parish Priest.
To baptise a child brings a serious commitment before God to raise the child in the practice of the Catholic faith. If there is no hope that this will occur, then the baptism is to be deferred. Only the parents of the child can make that decision and commitment.
The Catholic Church requires that both parents of the child be Catholic. An exception may be made if at least one of the parents is a practicing Catholic committed to forming the child in the faith and teaching of the Church.
Godparents must also be Roman Catholics since their role is to assist the parents in forming the child in the Catholic faith.
There may only be one godmother and one godfather whose names will be entered in the baptismal register. Others may act as witnesses at the ceremony.
The Baptism is normally carried out in the parish where the child resides. To be baptised outside the parish requires written permission from the parish priest. This may be in an email and passed to the Parish Priest at St. Ann's.
Baptisms will take place on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at 3.00 p.m.
Please check St. Ann Parish Boundary Map to verify that you live within our parish boundary.
(Upcoming courses: September 5th, October 3rd, November 7th, December 5th in the parish room of St Ann’s Church, Cheadle Hulme. The meeting lasts about one hour.)
CONFIRMATION The bishop normally visits the Local Pastoral Area each year in early summer to offer the Sacrament of Confirmation. A substantial amount of time is needed for the preparation programme, so Confirmation candidates (Year 9 or above) or their parents should contact Father Louis or Julie Hindmarch as soon as possible after the announcement appears in the parish newsletter early in the year. St James' School will also publicise the date once it is known, though the preparation takes place in the parish, with the help of a team of catechists.
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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The preparation for First Communion for Year 3 children takes place in Cheadle Catholic Junior School, with support from the parishes and of course from parents themselves, who will have meetings at their parish to help them help their children. Children who do not attend Cheadle Catholic Junior School can be prepared for the Communion (and before that for First Forgiveness).
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MARRIAGE Father Louis will be delighted to discuss a proposed wedding with engaged couples. Normally at least 6 months notice is required of a wedding. The preparation takes time in order to fulfil both civil and church laws. Please don't arrange an irrevocable date with a chosen reception venue without first checking with the church!
HOLY ORDERS If you are considering the Priesthood or another Religious Life as a vocation then contact Fr. Jonathan Mitchell (e-mail: frjonnmitchell@cantab.net. ) If you are considering the Permanent Diaconate as your vocation then please speak to Fr Geoffrey O'Grady at St Ambrose, Stockport. (E-mail: geoffogrady@talktalk.net. ) Or begin by having a word with Father Louis.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Available on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 4.45 p.m. or by contacting Fr. Louis for appointment.
The preparation for First Forgiveness for Year 2 children takes place in Cheadle Catholic Infant School, with support from the parishes and of course from parents themselves, who will have meetings at their parish to help them help their children.
Guide to making a good confession HERE
SACRAMENT OF THE SICK Anyone needing the Anointing of the Sick at home should contact Father Louis. Holy Communion at home for the housebound is also available, as often - within reason! - as desired, with the help of the parish Eucharistic Ministers. If you, or a member of your family, are in hospital, please ask to see the Catholic Chaplain; hospital staff are no longer able to automatically supply chaplains with lists of Catholic patients. There should also be lay hospital visitors from the churches, who will normally be able to arrange to bring Holy Communion.
