sacraments

Sacramental preparation 2025/26

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. We use a programme in which the parents teach their children, with the support of the catechists. In each session we do some things together as a whole group, and other things in family groups. And there is always a break with drinks and biscuits! The programme normally starts in November, First Reconciliation is generally in late January, and First Holy Communions are usually in May. For more information contact the parish office.

Confirmation

Young people are normally eligible for Confirmation from Year 9. However, if a young person seeks Confirmation earlier than that, and is already actively involved in the Church, then please speak to Fr Tony, as we may accept them at a younger age. The preparation starts informally, with the candidates being asked to come to Sunday Mass regularly, and to participate in some way beyond just being there – perhaps helping with welcoming, or being a server, or helping with the music or the refreshments after Mass. Once they have shown a commitment to that, they will be invited to join the more formal preparation, which normally begins in the spring term. This takes place in conjunction with other church communities in Hove. Confirmation normally takes place later in the summer term, at Arundel Cathedral with all the parishes of the deanery. For more details contact Fr Tony. Adults who have been baptised but not received Confirmation are invited to join the RCIA.

Reconciliation (Confession)

Fr Tony is normally willing to hear Confessions after any Mass, in particular after the 11:00 am Mass at St George’s. Just ask! We also have a Penitential Service each Advent and Lent, normally on the afternoon of the 3rd or 4th Sunday of Advent, and on the afternoon of Palm Sunday. This is a short service followed by the opportunity for individual Confession. There are normally two or three priests available for Confession.

Sacrament of the Sick

People sometimes confuse the ‘Sacrament of the Sick’ (or Anointing of the Sick, sometime abbreviated to Anointing) with the ‘Last Rites’. The Last Rites are, in fact, Viaticum (Holy Communion given to the dying – literally ‘food for the journey’) and the Prayer of Commendation. Anointing is often given at the same time if there is a priest present (the Communion and Commendation do not require a priest). However it is not limited to that. The Sacrament of the Sick can be given to anyone with a serious illness, including those with ongoing chronic illness, those who are frail due to age, and anyone going for a surgical operation, especially one that involves a general anaesthetic. The Sacrament can be celebrated as part of Mass, in church outside of Mass, or of course in hospital or at home. We organise an annual Mass for the Sick, usually around the time of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, in which the Sacrament of the Sick is conferred on anyone who desires it. If you or someone you know is going into hospital for any reason, do let us know. Do not assume the hospital will let us know (they will not, unless you ask them – and even then, the message might get lost!). We can then pass that on to the chaplains.

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 course for the parents (and Godparents if they are able to be there), normally over two evenings. Baptisms can either take place as part of a Sunday Mass or at some other time, usually on a Saturday or Sunday. To discuss all of this, please contact Fr Tony, Fr Paul or the parish office. For children over the age of seven we need to prepare the child for the sacrament as well as the parents. This normally takes place by enrolling the child in the First Holy Communion programme, or even the Confirmation programme if the child is in Year 8 or above. Baptism would then be celebrated shortly before Holy Communion/Confirmation. Adults seeking Baptism are invited to join the RCIA.

Marriage

Couples seeking to get married in the parish, and also couples who live in the parish but are marrying elsewhere, need to contact Fr Tony at the earliest opportunity. The diocese normally requires one year’s notice for marriage in order to allow enough time for preparation of the couple. Preparation involves a certain amount of paperwork, both civil and ecclesiastical, and also preparation, not just for the wedding, but for married life. This is done in part by Fr Tony and in part through a marriage preparation course with other engaged couples and led by married people.