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.
As of September 2021, parents must attend an evening course before the baptism of their child. Courses will take place on Thursday evenings on alternate months at 7pm in St Ann’s Parish Room, Vicarage Avenue, Cheadle Hulme, SK8 7JW (the list of course dates is below).
When you register for the baptism course you will be sent a link to complete a registration form. After you have attended the course, we will contact you with available dates for the baptism. To baptise a child brings a serious commitment before God to raise the child in the practice of the Catholic faith. With this in mind, we would strongly encourage regular attendance at Mass and expect to see you at Mass from now on. After the baptism course, you will need to attend Sunday Mass in the parish where the baptism will take place a minimum of 6 times before the baptism.
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. It is possible to have only one Godparent and a maximum of two Godparents. Baptisms are normally done in the parish where the child resides. To be baptised outside the parish requires written permission from one’s parish priest. Please check St. Ann’s Parish Boundary Map to verify that you live within our parish boundary.
Baptisms take place at 3pm on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. Please note that baptisms do not take place during Lent.
(The Baptism courses for 2027 will take place as follows: 7th January, 4th March, 6th May, 1st July, 2nd September, 4th November in the parish room of St Ann’s Church, Cheadle Hulme, SK8 7JW. The meeting lasts about one hour.)
Frequently Asked Questions Here
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 8 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.
