Each year many people of different ages and backgrounds become Christians at St Benet’s through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.
Baptism marks our first step on the lifelong pilgrimage of faith. It begins within us the life of grace, and initiates us into fullness of life in Christ. In Baptism our sins are washed away. We become one with Christ and receive new birth through water and the action of God’s Holy Spirit.
In Confirmation the gifts of the Spirit given to us by God are stirred up afresh and redoubled by the laying on of hands by a bishop. Candidates for Confirmation publically profess their faith, and are fully initiated as members of Christ’s church, able to receive Holy Communion.
It also happens that people who were baptised and confirmed many years ago return to their faith, or find they want to profess it publicly for themselves again. In this circumstance, candidates can receive catechesis in preparation for a liturgy involving the renewal of the promises made at their baptism, and thanksgiving for the graces they have received from God.
Whatever stage people are at on their pilgrimage of faith, St Benet’s Church wants to be a help and blessing to all who seek Christ and want to be his disciples.
