We would like to congratulate you on the birth of your new baby. This is a wonderful time for you and your family and should be a time of great rejoicing. A new human child, made in the image and likeness of God, has been brought into the world by you. Please God he/she will grow up to make you proud by what he/she comes to achieve but especially by the way he/she brings love and peace to all that enter his/her life. As a baptised member of the Christian community he/she will have the help he/she needs to this end.
In order to receive the salvation won for us by Christ, all we have to do is to turn our backs on sin and welcome God’s grace into our lives. Baptism is the the sacrament of initiation by which the Church allows us to do so. We thereby become members of the christian community which has the task of continuing the mission of Christ in proclaiming the Gospel and enabling God’s kingdom to come about. Jesus is at heart of the christian community and so what is really important for parents is to help their child to come to know him and be guided by his Spirit.
Arranging a Baptism.
Times Of Baptisms.
Saturday @ 12.00 noon
Sunday @ 1pm
Please call in to the Sacristy to book a baptism. (Sacristans are available Mornings 8.30Am – 11.30 AM)
There is at least two weeks notice required.
A copy of the State Birth Certificate and Proof of Parents ID must be produced when a Baptism is booked.
Baptism bookings cannot be taken over the phone.
Requirements for the Day
Please try to arrive well before the time arranged for the Baptism as delays can occur and then others are left waiting. In order that all present may experience God’s presence on the occasion give a good clear response when required, and also encourage your family to observe reverence in the Church especially when the water is being poured on the children of other families. Photographs may be taken only at that stage or after the ceremony is over. Please remember to bring a white baptismal shawl and a baptism candle.
Godparents
One godparent who is a baptised Catholic and at least 18 years of age is required. There can be only one godfather and one godmother and the parents themselves cannot fill this role also. It is an important role and those chosen should be carefully selected. They will be expected to support the parents by taking a special interest in the child’s upbringing as a Christian until he is /she is confirmed. The name given to the child should also reflect this concern.
After the Baptism
Now that you have undertaken to pass on the faith to your child, and that she now is a baptised Christian, you will surely be looking forward to the day when he/she will receive Jesus in Holy Communion. It is is largely your responsibility to prepare him/her for this. So take practical steps like having religious pictures in your home, medals on their person and by trying to deepen your own relationship with Jesus. Read the Bible, pray and follow your conscience. If you can get more actively involved in the christian community, do so, as this will will help your child to want to play his/her part also.
Adult initiation and Baptism of older children
We welcome enquiries from adults who take an interest in our religion and would be glad to meet them and if they think they might like to join our Christian community we will arrange to meet them further. Adults who are preparing for Baptism follow the Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) which normally takes a year or more to complete. Children of 6 years or over are also required to be prepared, and this can only be done if one of the parents is already a Catholic.