At what age would children normally celebrate the Sacrament?
In Year Three of our Primary Schools.
When is the Sacrament celebrated?
During the summer months of May and June.

In both St Stephen’s and St Bridget’s School’s, preparation is through a School led programme of catechesis, together with the Parish Priest, Parish catechists and parents.

What about children who don’t go to a Catholic School?
Anyone wishing to celebrate the Sacrament that does not attend a Catholic School is given catechesis during the Sunday Mass and invited to join the other school children to celebrate the Sacrament together.

At what age would the children normally celebrate the Sacrament?
This is celebrated in Year Four of our Primary Schools.
When is the Sacrament usually celebrated?
The Sacrament is celebrated in church during Lent each year and though the service is communal, individual celebration of the sacrament occurs.

In both St Stephen’s and St Bridget’s Schools, preparation is through a School led programme, together with the Parish Priest, Parish catechists and parents.

At what age is the Sacrament usually celebrated?
For those who will attain the age of 13 during the School Year (Year 8 for school children) and over.
When and where is the Sacrament normally celebrated?
Usually sometime during June of each year, at St Oswald’s church and together with St Oswald’s ans St Benedict's Parish. A programme of catechesis, led by Parish catechists and the priests begins after Easter each year for all Confirmandees.

This sacrament is celebrated with the Housebound and Sick in Church four times a year

Who can receive the Sacrament?
Anyone who feels infirm in mind, body or spirit of any age who wishes to receive the sacrament can contact the priest who will come and pray with you and your family and anoint you.
We celebrate this sacrament in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and in the home as well.

What is it?
It is a programme of instruction and catechesis concerning the norms and beliefs of the Catholic Church. The programme is designed to take the candidate through the basics of Catholic faith: the sacraments, the Creed, Church history, Mary and the Saints etc. and is supported by a team of catechists.
Who is it for?
It is for anyone Christened or not, who is thinking about becoming a Catholic and for Catholic’s who would like to know more about their own faith.
When does it begin?
It begins in the October of each year, running through to the end of May, with reception into the Catholic Church occurring during the Easter Vigil.

Anyone thinking about becoming a Catholic should contact us before the end of September.

Any couple wishing to be married in the Parish of St Stephen are requested to contact the priest in the first instance to make an appointment. At that meeting a date would usually be agreed for your wedding.
Who can get married in a catholic church?
You are eligible to be married in a catholic church provided that:
at least one of the parties is a Catholic;
neither party has been married before, even civilly in a Register Office;
neither party has to have been Confirmed.
If one of you has been married before, it may still be possible for you to be married in Church. However, a talk with the priest will help to establish whether or not this is possible.
When can we get married?
Generally speaking, marriages can be celebrated any day of the week. The exception to that is during the Easter Triduum ie between the Thursday and Saturday inc. of Holy Week. It is also likely that priests would not ordinarily welcome celebrating Marriage on a Sunday. From a purely practical point of view the usual Sunday masses and Baptisms tend to take up most of that day. In addition, Marriages should normally be conducted during working hours since Civil Registrars are required to register your wedding.