Are you looking to receive our Lord in the Eucharist?

Primary School children in Years 3 – 6 can receive Holy Communion following a period of preparation through our First Communion programmes.

Secondary School age children who would like to start receiving Holy Communion will prepare by attending our Young Disciples group.

Adults who have not yet made their First Communion and now wish to start receiving Holy Communion should prepare through our Journey in Faith.

Are you a young person looking to be confirmed?

You are invited to join our Young Disciples youth group. At Our Lady of the Valleys we understand that it is often hard for our young people to stand up in faith and remain devout to God with so many influences and pressures in the world around them. This is why we have adapted to better support our young people, creating the Young Disciples youth group for secondary school aged (11-18) young people who are wanting to receive the sacraments, but also to continue to be strengthened in faith after receiving the sacraments. If the time or venue is not practical for you, please make an appointment with Pastor Gareth to look at alternatives.

Are you an adult looking to be confirmed?

For adults who never been confirmed, it is appropriate to spend a period of time reflecting on the Catholic faith before approaching this Sacrament as an adult. Our Journey in Faith is one appropriate way of doing this, another way is taking part in other parish courses or regular groups would be another.

Parish Priests are not automatically given permission to confirm those who are already baptised Catholics, which is properly the role of the Bishop. In 2026, the Bishop is not scheduled to visit any of our parishes so we will go to another place where he is celebrating Confirmation.

Do you need anointing of the sick?

The Sacrament of the Sick (Anointing, sometimes known as Extreme Unction or the “Last Rites”) is the Church’s blessing for Catholics who are seriously impaired (physically or mentally) by old age or illness, and for those who are in danger of death through any bodily condition (including the risk posed by a major operation).

If you need this for yourself or someone you know, please contact Pastor Gareth, our parish priest, or in an emergency, any local Catholic priest.

Do you wish to arrange a funeral at one of our Pastorate Churches? Or conducted in a crematorium, or at home or in a funeral parlour chapel?

Many combinations of service are possible to honour a person who has died. Some families choose to bring the body of their loved one to rest in church the night before; others bring the body to church at the start of the only church service. It is also possible to have a service only in the Crematorium (be aware that this may be limited to 20 minutes unless you book a double slot) or in another suitable place. A funeral in Church can include the celebration of Mass (allow an hour) or just a ceremony of readings and prayers (allow 30-45 minutes depending on content). A church or home service will be followed by a short service of prayer at the graveside or crematorium.

Pastor Gareth conducts funerals across all four parishes. Sr Berenice conducts funeral services (not Masses) in the Rhondda parishes. We also have lay celebrants available who may be offered to you when Pastor Gareth is not available or where they might be the most appropriate celebrant.

To arrange any kind of funeral, please contact your chosen undertaker and ask them to contact Pastor Gareth (01443 402 439) or Sr Berenice (01443 421 929). Please do not finalise any arrangements until your celebrant has confirmed their own availability, and where relevant, the availability of the church.

You may also find this checklist useful.