sacraments

Sacramental preparation 2026/2027

First Holy Communion & First Reconciliation

Families of children in Year 3 or above who have been baptised in the Catholic Church (or who are preparing to be baptised) are eligible to join the First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion preparation programme.

In each session, we do some things together as a whole group and other activities in family groups. There is also always a break with drinks and biscuits!

The programme normally starts in November, with First Reconciliation generally taking place in late January and First Holy Communions usually in May.

Applications are now open!

For St George’s and St Theresa’s, the deadline is Tuesday 6th October 2026.

Please return completed application forms to the Parish Office at St Theresa’s.

[Download the Application Form – Word]

[Download the Application Form – PDF]

Confirmation

Young people are normally eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation from Year 9.

Preparation begins informally. Candidates are encouraged to attend Sunday Mass regularly and to take an active role in parish life, for example, by welcoming others, serving at Mass, helping with music, or assisting with refreshments after Mass.

Once a commitment to parish life has been established, candidates will be invited to take part in the more formal preparation, which begins in the spring term. Preparation takes place at Sacred Heart Church, in conjunction with other Catholic communities in Hove.

Confirmation usually takes place later in the summer term at Arundel Cathedral, together with the other candidates from the wider parish.

Adults seeking Confirmation

Adults who have been baptised but have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation are invited to join the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).

Reconciliation (Confession)

Fr Tony is normally available to hear Confessions after any Mass, particularly after the 11:00 am Mass at St George’s. If you would like to go to Confession, simply ask.

We also have a Penitential Service during Advent and Lent, usually on the afternoon of the 3rd or 4th Sunday of Advent and on Palm Sunday. The service is short and is followed by an opportunity for individual Confession, with two or three priests normally available.

Sacrament of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Sick, also known as the Anointing of the Sick, is sometimes confused with the “Last Rites”. The Last Rites are, strictly speaking, Viaticum (Holy Communion given to someone who is dying, literally meaning “food for the journey”) and the Prayer of Commendation. Anointing may also be given at this time if a priest is present, but the Sacrament of the Sick is not only for those who are dying.

The Sacrament of the Sick can be celebrated for anyone experiencing serious illness, including those living with a chronic illness, those who are frail due to age, or anyone preparing for surgery, particularly surgery involving a general anaesthetic.

The Sacrament can be celebrated during Mass, in church outside of Mass, or in hospital or at home.

We hold an annual Mass for the Sick, usually around the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, when the Sacrament of the Sick is offered to anyone who wishes to receive it.

If you or someone you know is going into hospital, please let us know. Do not assume that the hospital will contact us on your behalf. We can pass the information on to the hospital chaplaincy team so that pastoral and spiritual support can be arranged.

For Baptisms and Marriages, please contact the Parish Office after you have read the information below about these sacraments.

Baptism

For children under seven years old, we offer a short preparation course for parents and, where possible, Godparents. This normally takes place over two evenings.

Baptisms can be celebrated during Sunday Mass or at another time, usually on a Saturday or Sunday. To discuss the arrangements, please contact Fr Tony, Fr Paul or the parish office.

For children over seven, preparation involves the child as well as their parents. This normally takes place through the First Holy Communion programme, or, if the child is in Year 8 or above, through the Confirmation programme. Baptism would then be celebrated shortly before the child receives Holy Communion or Confirmation.

Adults seeking Baptism

Adults who wish to be baptised are invited to join the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).

Marriage

Couples wishing to get married in the parish, as well as couples who live in the parish but are marrying elsewhere, should contact Fr Tony as early as possible.

The Diocese normally requires at least one year’s notice for marriage, allowing sufficient time for the necessary preparation.

Marriage preparation includes the required civil and ecclesiastical paperwork, as well as preparation not only for the wedding day but for married life.

Preparation is carried out partly with Fr Tony and partly through a marriage preparation course, together with other engaged couples and led by married couples.