BAPTISM
The baptism of infants and young children is celebrated at least once a month, on Sunday, except during the season of Lent. Baptismal liturgies begin at 12:15 pm in the church. A meeting with a member of the parish staff is required before any date for Baptism may be set – please call the parish office to arrange an appointment. Attendance at a preparation session is also required. This takes place at 10 am on the Saturday morning before the Baptism and is held in the church. Regular mass attendance is encouraged. Each child must have at least one godparent (there may be a maximum of two). Godparents must be practicing Catholics (baptized and confirmed) who are in good standing with the Church.
Children who have completed grade 2 undertake more preparation and receive Full Initiation – being Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion – at the same time. These celebrations take place once a year, usually at Pentecost. Please telephone the parish office early in the school year to begin this preparation.
Children who have been baptized in another Christian tradition may be received into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church after a period of adequate preparation. Please telephone the parish office. (Click here for The Baptism of Children – Flyer)
Adults seeking Baptism also receive the sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion at the same time. This follows a period of extensive preparation and usually takes place at the Easter Vigil. Regular mass attendance is required. Please telephone the parish office before the end of September to arrange an appointment with the pastor.
Adults who have been baptized in other Christian traditions and wish to enter into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church are considered individually, according to the amount of preparation required. Please telephone the parish office to arrange a meeting with the pastor, who will determine the preparation appropriate for you.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Children are customarily prepared to receive their First Holy Communion while in grade 2. For those enrolled in Catholic elementary school, this involves a period of preparation combining school work and home catechesis, together with regular participation at Sunday mass. Children not attending Catholic elementary school are prepared through catechesis at home and in the church. Parents should attend the Information meeting, held in the church on an evening in January. Watch the bulletin for particulars.
CONFIRMATION
Young people are usually prepared to complete their Christian Initiation by receiving the sacrament of Confirmation during grade 7. For students in Catholic elementary school, this involves a period of preparation at home and in school. Parents and students should attend the Information meeting that takes place in the church early in the school year. Please watch the bulletin for dates and times.
RECONCILIATION
Confessions are normally heard in the church every Friday from 8:30 – 9:30 am, Saturday from 4:30 – 5:00 pm or by appointment at anytime.
MARRIAGE
Any Catholic who is, at present, registered in our parish or who lives within our parish boundaries – and who is free to marry – may be married at St. Patrick’s Church. Only one partner must be Catholic in order to celebrate a Catholic marriage. Couples should telephone the parish office and arrange an appointment with the pastor before any dates are set or other wedding arrangements made. A minimum of 6 months notice is required in most cases. A recognized marriage preparation course is required in the Diocese of Hamilton.
Couples who have been married outside of the Catholic Church are encouraged to speak to the pastor about the necessary steps to have their marriage recognized and blessed in the Catholic Church.
ANNOINTING OF THE SICK
The laying on of hands and the anointing of the sick, either at home or in hospital, may be arranged by telephoning the parish office. If possible, please contact the parish before the individual’s situation becomes critical. Cambridge parish priests are on-call for the CambridgeHospital to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day.
HOLY ORDERS
Men who are contemplating a vocation to the priesthood or to the permanent diaconate – together with men and women who are prayerfully considering a vocation to the religious life – are encouraged to speak to the pastor, or to contact the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton. Please visit vocationinfo.ca or call the chancery office at 905-528-7988.
THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS
Catholics should, whenever possible, be buried from their parish church. This is normally done within the context of the mass. The funeral directors of Cambridge will be able to assist bereaved families with planning and arrangements for the funeral liturgy. Please notify the parish office as soon as possible upon the death of a loved one and before announcing dates and times of funeral rites. Families are encouraged to contact Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery at 519-752-5525 when considering cremation services or locations for the burial of a loved one.