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Sacraments

Baptism

If you wish to have a baby baptised, we ask that you attend a short preparation course so that you can better understand the promises which the Church asks you to make on behalf of your child. Please contact the parish office for details.

If you have already completed a baptism preparation course in this or any other parish, please contact us to arrange the baptism.

While we do try to accommodate availability of godparents, please note that not all desired dates are available, and we do not normally conduct baptisms during Lent, so please do not presume your desired date and time will be available until confirming it with the parish.

Note also that only baptised Christians who worship regularly can be official godparents, and at least one godparent must be a baptised and practicing Catholic. You are, of course, free to have as many family friends as you wish as "unofficial godparents" but their names will not be recorded in Church records.

First Holy Communion

This sacrament is normally offered to baptised children when they reach the school year in which they turn 8 ("Year 3"). Application forms are available via the parish office. The children's preparation course runs in co-ordination with the catechist. 

If your child has not already been baptised, we will arrange baptism with you at a suitable time while the child undertakes the course. Older children seeking first communion are dealt with according to individual circumstances.

Confirmation

Young people who have been baptised and made their First Holy Communion may ask for the Sacrament of Confirmation when they reach the school year during which they will turn 13 ("Year 8"), or at any time thereafter. Application forms are available via the parish office. If the number of applicants is too low to run a course, applicants may be invited to wait for a year or participate in a neighbouring parish's programme.

Older children who wish to participate in the confirmation course may do so, but those over 18 should instead take part in our adult course (read on).

Becoming a Catholic (adults) & Adult Confirmation

Adults who wish to explore becoming a Catholic, or who simply wish to find out more about the Catholic faith, are welcome at our RCIA group. This course is also suitable for Catholic adults who now wish to be confirmed.  Please contact the parish office for details.

Want to know more about being Catholic? Check out Life4Seekers!

Ministry to the Sick

The Sacrament of the Sick (Anointing, sometimes known as Extreme Unction or the "Last Rites") is the Church's blessing for Catholics who are seriously impaired (physically or mentally) by old age or illness, and for those who are in danger of death through any bodily condition (including the risk posed by a major operation).

A Catholic aware of being seriously impaired, or in danger of death, should request this sacrament; or if incapacitated, anyone who is caring for them should summon a priest on their behalf. The Catholic does not need to be conscious in order to receive this sacrament; but it is only given to those who are still alive. A priest should be called to a Catholic who is dying as a matter of ugency.

If a Catholic has already died, the Sacrament of the Sick is not given, and there is no need to contact a priest unless the family members express a desire to speak with the priest or have prayers said around the body of their relative. Otherwise, the family should make contact with a Funeral Director.

A Catholic in hospital requiring the Sacrament of the Sick should make arrangements through the Hospital Chaplaincy.

A Catholic at home or in a nursing home in the Caerphilly area requiring the Sacrament of the Sick should contact our parish office on 029 2088 3192; if there is no reply and the need is urgent, contact the Pontypridd Presbytery on 01443 402 439, Ynyshir Presbytery 01443 682 689, Rhondda Parish on 01443 432 142, or Abercynon Presbytery on 01443 740 353. If all these options fail, contact any Cardiff parish.

A deacon may perform an emergency baptism or lead prayers after someone has died.

Catholics who are sick or housbound and who reside in the Caerphilly area should contact the parish office, so arrangements can be made for you to receive Holy Communion regularly at home.

Funerals

The normal form of funeral for a Catholic is a Requiem Mass, which lasts approximately one hour, followed by a short service of prayer at the burial or cremation. In some cases it is appropriate to have a shorter form of service which does not include Mass. Family members making funeral arrangements should bear in mind whether the decased would have wanted a Mass celebrated for their funeral, and whether the deceased was well-known to Catholic parishioners (who deeply desire to celebrate a Requiem whenever a member of the parish dies).

Many families wish to have the body of their loved one brought into St Helen's the previous evening; this can usually be arranged with the parish. Please note that Funeral Directors often charge higher fees if this is done after 5 p.m..

If the funeral is not to be a Requiem Mass, it may take place in St Helen's Church, in the family home, or entirely in the chapel at the cemetery or crematorium.

To arrange any kind of funeral, please contact your chosen undertaker and ask them to make the arrangements through St Helen's. Please do not finalise any arrangements until the minister taking funerals has confirmed the availability of himself and the church. You may find this National Liturgy Office leaflet useful. Note also that only Christian music is appropriate at Catholic funerals, and all readings are taken from the Bible. The most appropriate place to read poems or play your loved one's favourite music is at the reception afterwards. 

Cremation is no longer forbidden by the Catholic Church; you are threfore free to arrange either burial or cremation. Out of respect for the human body, the Catholic Church buries ashes after cremation. Your Funeral Director will be pleased to arrange a rite of burial with your chosen minister. There is no Catholic rite of scattering ashes.

If you feel you need more support after your bereavement than your minister and parish can offer, you may find the help you seek through these support groups.

May God support you and comfort you in your time of loss.