House Blessing

“Whatever house you enter, let your first words be: ‘Peace to this house!’” (Luke 10: 5)

House Blessings are traditionally requested by residents who move into new homes and wish to have their houses blessed by a priest. As members of the family and community gather during this joyful event, house blessings serve as a special opportunity to give thanks to God, from whom all blessings flow, for the gift of a new home. House blessings assure home owners of the blessings, protection and holy presence of God in their lives and residences.

If you would like to invite a priest to bless your new home, please contact the Secretariat.

Sacrament of Matrimony

The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life. (CCC 1661)

Some preparations that are required before receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony:

• Couples must inform the priest at least six months before booking the Church for the Wedding Mass/Service.
• Couples must take the Marriage Preparation Course (MPC) or Engagement Encounter (EE) programme.

The Anointing of the Sick

“If one of you is ill, he should send for the elders of the Church, and they must anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord and pray over him. The prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up again, and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.”

– James 5:14-15

The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects: the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church; the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age; the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance; the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul;  the preparation for passing over to eternal life. (CCC 1532)

To receive this sacrament, please make an appointment with the Secretariat before proceeding for surgery. You are strongly advised not to wait until the person is in critical condition to apply for this sacrament.

Funeral Mass

“Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the Scriptures; that He was buried; and that He was raised to life on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures; that He appeared to Cephas and secondly to the Twelve.”

– 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

“If in union with Christ we have imitated His death, we shall also imitate Him in His resurrection.” (Romans 6:5)  

Through Christ’s death and Resurrection, all who are baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are incorporated into His body. A Catholic funeral is a religious service held for someone of the Catholic faith who has passed away. It serves an important function for us, who believe that the soul lives on after death: “Life is changed, not ended.” (Preface for Christian Death I)

Please contact the Secretariat for help and advice before contacting a Funeral Director.

More information can also be found on the Archdiocese Funeral Guide & Policy