Sacraments and Funerals

Celebrating the sacraments is at the core of our parish life.

Baptism is a necessary pre-requisite for the reception of all other sacraments. To facilitate young people who are not baptized and who may wish to receive the sacraments, the parish will arrange for both children and their parents to receive instruction on the sacraments prior to being baptized. Such instruction will take a minimum of twelve months.

Here we provide all the details for the celebration of the sacraments in our parish.

Celebrating the Sacraments 2022

Dear Parents,

If you would like to register your child for First Holy Communion or Confirmation you can do so now by registering online.

It is very important that you fill in all details accurately, If your child was baptised in St Mary & Peter’s Arklow, St David’s Johnstown or St Patrick’s Castletown you must give exact date of Baptism.

If your child was baptised outside the parish and you don’t have a copy of their Baptism Cert you can request one from the parish they were baptised in.  It is very important that you submit the copy of the Baptism Cert to us the same week you apply online as the application will not be processed without the Baptism Cert.  You can email the Cert to [email protected] or drop it into the Parish Office, Árus Lorcain, Castlepark, Arklow, Co Wicklow. If you have any further queries please call Siobhán on 085 2534718 or (0402)31335

Class of 2022 - Register Here

Baptism Arrangements

Read more about dates and the Sacrament of Baptism

Marriage Arrangements

Congratulations on your decision to get married.  For details on all aspects of your Church marriage arrangements and preparation please click on the link below.

Read more about arrangements and the Sacrament of Marriage

Reconciliation (Confession)

Confessions take place after 10a.m. Mass and 7p.m. Mass each Saturday.

Read more about the Sacrament of Reconciliatione, I wish you and your family well.

Housebound and Sacrament of the Sick

The Eucharist at home is an important pastoral service. It allows the housebound to receive the Blessed Sacrament in their own homes to make them feel included and cared for by the Parish.

Specially trained Ministers of the Eucharist administer Holy Communion to these people and also Priests of the Parish try to visit as many of the house bound as possible on the first Friday of each month.

The Priests would like to be informed of parishioners, who may be ill at home or in hospital, so that they can arrange visitations and include the sick in the prayer life of the parish.

Contact the parish office or one of the priests of the parish.

Read more about the Sacrament of the Sick

Funeral Arrangements

At a time, which is generally sad and emotional for the family and friends of the deceased, we are ready and anxious to assist in any way possible. Arrangements for Church Liturgies are made with the priests of the parish. The Rite of Christian burial normally consists of (a) Reception of Remains in Church, (2) Funeral Liturgy in Mass or Funeral Liturgy without Mass, (3) Final commendation and burial.

All funerals Masses in Arklow are celebrated with the help and full participation of a parish organist and congregational singing using the special Parish Hymn Sheet.

One of the other recognised Liturgical Funeral Rites: A Memorial Mass (funeral liturgy when the deceased has been buried elsewhere) can be arranged directly with the priests of the Parish. Also available is a special booklet containing guide lines and a choice of reading for funeral liturgies.

To arrange a funeral ceremony please contact  one of the priests.

Mass Intentions and Remembrances

The ministry of prayer is very important in the life of the parish and the worshipping community includes in the Prayers of the Faithful intercessions for particular need and intentions. For example, for anniversary prayers of loved ones during weekday Masses, there is the tradition of handing in the names at the sacristy or placing on the Lectern before Mass.   Mass bookings for the various occasions should be made well in advance of the date required as there is a particularly big demand for Masses, expecially weekend Masses.  Masses can be booked in the Sacristy after all Masses or at the Parish Office during normal working hours Monday to Friday.
Mass Cards available from the parish office will be signed by a priest of the parish.

Holy Orders – Ministry of the Priest

If you have an interest in finding out more about the path to priesthood or the permanent diaconate in this diocese, you are very welcome to contact our Diocesan Vocations Director. Click below for details.
Read more about the Sacrament of Holy Orders

Special Liturgies

Throughout the year in the parish, there are regular and particular liturgical celebrations which include:

• Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, 1st Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliations (Rites I and II).
• Special Liturgies: Engaged Couples Blessing, 10th, 25th, 50th and 60th Celebrations of Marriage.
• November Mass for Bereaved and Deceased, November Recording of Names (Altar List).
• Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time Liturgies
• Liturgies of Commitment, Liturgy of the Sick and their Carers.
• Cemetery Mass, 1st Friday in July.
• Ecumenical Son Rise Service on south beach on Easter Sunday morning.
• Special Mass for deceased members of the sea faring community.
• Mass in Old Abbey graveyard on the Eve of the Feast of the Assumption.
• Thanksgiving Service for the harvest takes place in October.
• Annual Christmas Carol service.
• Mass for the opening of the Music Festival.