What is a sacrament?

Sacrament, religious sign or symbol, especially associated with Christian churches, in which a sacred or spiritual power is believed to be transmitted through material elements viewed as channels of divine grace.

Sacraments are vital celebrations for who we are as Catholic Christians.
Each time we celebrate a Sacrament we respond in a deeper way to Jesus’ call to discipleship. Since Sacraments are so important to us, we take them very seriously and prepare to receive them thoughtfully and thoroughly.
All Sacraments are personal and community events and this is reflected in the preparation and celebration of the Sacraments here at St Augustine’s.

Responsibility of Parents in the Sacraments.

Parents are the “first teachers” of their children in the vision and practice of the Christian way of life.
It is in the home that children primarily experience and come to know about God. When children experience the loving care of their family members, when they are challenged to be the best people that they can be by their parents, and when they witness a family’s unceasing striving for healing and reconciliation, then children learn about the Faith. Parents are, whether they realise it or not, the “Sacrament” of God’s presence in their children. Therefore, in all Sacramental preparation programmes, one of the aims is to nurture a stronger partnership between families and the Church. Working together with families, the parish and parish schools assist parents and the Church provides the immediate preparation for all Sacraments.