PREPARATION PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN
To support our children in their journey towards full membership of the Catholic Church Community, the Willunga Parish implements the Policy for the Initiation of Children into the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Adelaide. If you would like more information regarding the Preparation Program for children, please contact Willunga Parish Office (8556 2132 or 0447 421 948 when Office not staffed).



BAPTISM
Baptism is the first sacrament of Christian initiation. Through baptism we are freed from the darkness of our world, we become sons and daughters of God and are embraced into the family of the Church. Catholic families are encouraged to baptise their children soon after birth, however sometimes people are baptised later, or even as adults.

Baptisms are celebrated in all three Mass Centres at times suitable to both the family and the available Priest.

The request for an infant Baptism should be made at least three weeks before the date the parents prefer. Contact is made in person or by phone, to the Parish Centre. Particulars for the Parish register are recorded and an appointment made for the pre-Baptism preparation. The aim of the preparation is to discuss the implication for the child's faith development in the request for Baptism and to be aware of the rites of the sacrament. In the case of the first child, it is desirable that both parents be present for the preparation, and if possible, the godparents.



RECONCILIATION
This sacrament is a sign and experience of God's unconditional forgiveness. We are called to be one people united with Christ and one another. Sadly, in our weakness this unity is often ruptured through failures to love (i.e. we sin). Yet God's love for us does not cease when we fail. By expressing our sorrow for our sin in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we experience forgiveness and healing. Our relationship with God and our unity as Church is made whole again. In our parish Catholic children usually make their First Reconciliation at age 7. They prepare for this through the Children's Sacramental Program.

Reconciliation is offered in two ways in the parish:
FIRST RITE
A one-to-one interaction with the priest, in the reconciliation room ('confessional') which is located in the church. Reconciliation (First Rite) is always available before Mass and by request to the Priest. It is also offered every Saturday at 12.00noon at St Luke's at Noarlunga.

SECOND RITE
A communal ceremony which also includes a brief one-to-one interaction with the priest as sins are confessed and absolved.
Reconciliation is a sacrament which can be celebrated repeatedly throughout one's life, and indeed Catholics are encouraged to receive this sacrament frequently. They are obliged to receive this sacrament at least once a year. Communal Reconciliation ceremonies (Second Rite) are held before Christmas and Easter and at other times of the year, as publicized in the parish bulletin.



FIRST COMMUNION
The sacrament of Eucharist brings to completion the Christian process of initiation. In this sacrament we remember what Jesus did for us in his life, death and resurrection. We remember particularly the Last Supper, that final meal Jesus shared with his disciples. At that meal Jesus gave us the Eucharist so that we could remember him in a special way. When we receive communion, we believe that we receive the person of Jesus into our very beings. We become one with him, and we become one with each other. As a community we become 'the body of Christ'.

The Sunday Eucharist (Sunday Mass) is the highpoint of our worship as a parish. Communion is taken to the sick and housebound after each Sunday Mass by Ministers of Communion.

Because the Eucharist is our great sign of unity as a community, one must be a Catholic to receive the Eucharist.

Catholic children usually make their first Eucharist (First Communion) at age 7. They prepare for this through the Children's Sacramental Program.

When an adult is baptized, he or she normally makes their First Communion in the same ceremony as their baptism. Their preparation for this is usually through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) or a similar process.



CONFIRMATION
This sacrament of initiation is closely linked with baptism and brings to further fulfilment what was begun in baptism. Confirmation is a sacrament of empowerment. It gives the strength to follow Jesus and to become involved in the mission which Jesus left to the Church. It is especially associated with the story of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down upon the Apostles, Mary and the other disciples. Children in our parish are eligible to receive Confirmation if they have been baptised (or received) into the Catholic Church and are at least 7 years of age. They prepare for this through the Children's Sacramental Program.

ADULT CONFIRMATIONS
1. For those who are already baptized Catholic but have not yet been confirmed:
To enrol for adult confirmation, please complete an Adult Confirmation Form and return completed form to the parish office. Someone from the office will be in touch to confirm details.

2. For those who are not yet baptized or received Catholics:
In this case Confirmation can be celebrated by the local priest in the same ceremony in which the Baptism or Reception takes place. Their preparation for this is usually through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).



ADULT INITITIATION (RCIA)
Each year there are adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church within the Willunga Parish. The process by which they are prepared for full communion is known as the Rite of Christian Iniitiation of Adults (RCIA). The value of this process, as distinct from the previous one-to-one instruction by the Parish Priest or a lay worker, is that it is community-based.

Candidates participate in many weeks of discussion and prayer with their individual sponsors. This allows the candidates to learn the basics of Catholicism and at the same time hear how everyday Catholics live out their faith.

The process culminates at the Easter Vigil Mass when the candidates are baptised, receive the Eucharist for the first time and are confirmed, bringing them into full union with the Church.

SPONSORS
A sponsor is any Catholic who is prepared to share his or her faith with a candidate during the RCIA process. Sponsors are an integral part of this process and act as friends, confidants and guides for their respective candidates. Being a sponsor is an extremely rewarding experience and past sponsors have found that they too, have grown in faith by participating and assisting in the RCIA process.

For further information on becoming a Catholic through the RCIA process, or being a sponsor, please contact the Parish Office for information - ph 8556 2132 (when Office not staffed phone 0447 421 948) or email [email protected].



ANOINTING THE SICK
When a Catholic is very sick, the Church anoints the person with oil in a special ritual of healing called Anointing of the Sick. This rite is one way in which the Church continues the healing ministry of Jesus. The healing offered by this anointing is forgiveness of sins, hope and inner peace, sometimes physical healing, and an assurance of God's steadfast care, even in death.

In the past, this sacrament was often kept strictly for those close to death. In more recent years the Church has encouraged greater use of this sacrament for illness which is not necessarily life-threatening. As with all the sacraments, this anointing has significance for the whole Church. It reminds us of our call to wholeness and our call to be a sign of salvation to the world. Wherever there is brokenness, we are to be instruments of Christ's healing touch.

A person may be anointed during any weekday Mass before surgery or medical treatment, and at other times by request to a priest.



MATRIMONY
In the Catholic Church, marriage is an important religious event. As such, preparing for marriage often means some deep reflection on how God fits into your life, your future and of course, your marriage. The wedding ceremony will express your belief that God will be with you to support you in your life together. There will be an opportunity to talk about this with the Priest as you prepare for your wedding.

Bookings may be made up to two (2) years in advance.

All bookings for weddings in the Parish, at any of the three Churches, must be made through the Parish Office. Please contact the Parish Office for information - 8556 2132, (0447 421 948 when Office not staffed), or email [email protected].

For more information regarding weddings in the Willunga Parish, please download the .PDF version of our "Getting Married" booklet.

FUNERALS
Please contact the Parish Office for information - phone 8556 2132, or email [email protected] In the event that the office is unattended, and you need to speak to someone immediately, please contact our Parish Priest, c/- Noarlunga Downs Catholic Presbytery - phone 8382 1717.

Information regarding our Parish cemeteries at Normanville and Willunga can be obtained through the Cemeteries link.