Each of the sacraments is an invitation to encounter the person of Jesus our Risen Lord.  In this encounter, Jesus calls each of us by name to share in his new life through the power of his Holy Spirit. Using words, ritual actions and symbols we make visible the loving actions of Jesus that point to what he is doing in us. In baptism we use water as a sign of God’s Living Water, eternal life,  a life of union and friendship with Christ and all who are baptised into the Body of Christ, namely the Church.  We also use sacred oils as signs of God’s anointing and the gift of his Spirit.  The oils remind us that God our Father chooses us to be members of his family.  The white garment, sometimes called the ‘Christening Robe’, is wrapped around the child who has been baptised.  This clothing of the child in the christening robe reminds us that the child is now a child of God, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a friend of Jesus, called to grow in faith, hope and love.  Then a member of the family receives a baptismal candle that has been lit from the Easter candle.  It symbolises the friendship and nearness of Jesus in the life of the young child.  In baptism,  Jesus touches the child and calls him/her by name to live as a member of the Christian community, bringing the light of Christ’s love to everyone.  With family and friends to guide the child by word and example, he/she will come to a deep friendship with Christ.If you wish to have a child baptised in St Malachy’s church please complete the proforma below.  Thank you.

The sacrament of Confirmation completes Baptism; when the sacrament is conferred, the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon us.  Anyone who freely decides to live a life as God’s child and asks for God’s Spirit under the signs of the imposition of hands and anointing with Chrism oil receives the strength to witness to God’s love and goodness in what they say and do. When we choose to be confirmed we are committing ourselves to grow in our friendship with Father , Son and Holy Spirit. We are saying, “ Yes, I believe in you my God; I wish to receive the gift of your Spirit so that I can witness to your love and presence in the world all the days of my life.”  and God says, “Yes I believe in you too and I will give you my Spirit.  I give myself entirely to you.  I am all yours!  Nothing will ever separate you from me.  I will be with you in your body, mind, heart and soul.  Even if you forget me, I will always be with you, for you, on good days and bad.” If you wish to find out more about Confirmation and what is required to become a confirmed Catholic,please contact the parish office – 028890321713 or email - info@saintmalachysparish.com

After Baptism and Confirmation, the Eucharist is the third sacrament of initiation of the Catholic Church.  During the celebration of the Eucharist, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross is made present during the words of consecration.  The bread and wine are transformed into to body and blood of Christ.  He is fully present to us in his humanity and divinity, body, mind, heart and soul – Jesus our Risen Lord offers himself to us to live in us.  It is as though he is saying to us, “I am all yours. I give myself to you.”At the same time we give ourselves to Christ so that we can be united to him as members of his Body, the Church.  In the Eucharist we are transformed into the Body of Christ.  Our transformation is a life long journey in which we become more like Christ, seeing other people as he does, and having a heart like his heart; a heart full of love and compassion for the world. At the end of the Eucharist we are sent out with the following words – “Go and announce the gospel of the Lord.”  It is a reminder to us that we are to play our part in transforming our families, communities, society and world with faith, hope and love in our hearts.  In this way, Jesus sends us out to ‘live the Eucharist’ in our daily lives for the good of all people and all creation.

Jesus himself said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.’  In this way Jesus instituted the sacrament of reconciliation.  Why do we need this sacrament?  Can we not just go to God in prayer and ask for forgiveness?  We can ask God for forgiveness as individuals.  But we are also members of Christ’s Body, the Church.  When we sin we sin not only against God but against the Church community. The priest represents not only Christ but also the Church community.  When he says the words of absolution, the sinner is reconciled not only with God but with the whole Church community.In preparation for the celebration of the sacrament, we need to examine our conscience and honestly face up to our wrong-doing.  There must also be a genuine desire to amend our lives and a resolution not to sin again.  Once we have confessed our sins, the priest requires us to carry out a penance that will help us grow in faith, hope and charity. Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated in St Malachy’s Church at 5.15pm -5.50pm each Saturday and at other times to be announced.  It can also be celebrated by private arrangement – call 02890321713

The sacrament of matrimony comes about when a man and a woman commit themselves through the exchange of marriage vows in the presence of the priest and the two witnesses in Church. Because God himself forms the bond of sacramental marriage, it is binding until the death of one of the partners.  The marriage bond comes into existence only if the man and the woman enter the marriage of their own free will, without pressure from anyone and if they are not prevented from marrying by other natural or ecclesiastical ties, (for example, an existing marriage, a vow of celibacy). The marriage of a Christian couple reflects the faithful union between Jesus Christ (the bridegroom) and the Church (his bride).  The hallmarks of this marriage are  - faithfulness, permanence, exclusivity, and openness to new life. If you wish to find out more about the requirements for a wedding to take place in St Malachy’s Church, please contact 02890321713
An Information Brochure with information on marriage preparation programs, music, flowers, times, fees, etc. is also available at the Parish Office. Please complete the form and a copy can be sent to you.
May we wish you all the very best in your wedding preparation.

The sacrament of Anointing is received by those whose health is in a critical state.  The sacrament imparts consolation, peace and strength to the sick person.  In some cases the sick person recovers from their illness.  However, if God is calling the sick person home to heaven, the sacrament of the sick helps to prepare the sick person for  the physical, and spiritual battles ahead on their final journey.  In any case, the Anointing of the Sick has the effect of forgiving sins. Only bishops and priests can administer the sacrament, for it is Christ himself who touches and blesses the sick person in and through the actions of the bishop and priest by virtue of their ordination.