baptism-2

Congratulations on the birth of your baby! To bring new life into the world is a very special gift. We welcome your baby into our parish community.

Baptism is the first step in your child's journey to God. Your own faith is essential for the steps which follow. You will be promising to bring up your child in the practice of the faith, knowing God as a loving Father. You are asking the parish family to help you with this. In baptism your baby becomes part of a wider family - the Church.

 

When booking your child’s Baptism, the parish requires:

  • A Full State Birth Certificate
    • Names of Parents, Godparents etc that will be needed for the parish register

 What you will need for the ceremony

  • A Baptism Candle
  • A Baptismal Garment

 Godparents

Choose your child’s Godparents with care

  • One Godparent should be male and the other female
  • They must be practising Catholics who have received their Confirmation
  • They must be at least 16 years old
  • They will be undertaking to help you with your responsibility in handing on the practise of the faith
  • They must regularly receive Holy Communion and live a life of faith that befits the role to be undertaken
  • They should be living near enough to you to get know the child growing up

Why Baptise?

The final command of Jesus to his followers was:

“Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations: baptise them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Baptism then is a personal response to the invitation of Jesus.

 

 

What happens at Baptism?

At Baptism, through the pouring of water and anointing with Chrism, the child becomes a member of the Church.

Baptism is only a beginning. It will be your duty and privilege to help your child grow up in the knowledge, love and grace of God. For the seed of faith sown in Baptism to flourish, it needs your love and care. The way you live, the way you love each other, your attitude and beliefs, your worship at Mass each week and the prayer you say, morning and evening, will all contribute to your child’s experience of what it means to be Christian – to grow up in the love of God.

An explanation of the symbols in the ceremony 

  • Water – Water is the central symbol of baptism. It symbolises new life, nourishment and growth.
  • The White Baptismal Garment – The white garment is the uniform of the newly baptised. It is a symbol of their new identity as members of God’s family. Early Christians dressed in white for a week after they received their Baptism; it was a sign to others that they had made a new beginning with Christ.
  • The Candle – The living flame of the Easter Candle is a sign of the risen life that the baptised share. This is a symbol of our faith in Jesus who is the light of the world.
  • The Readings – The Word of God speaks to us as it did to the first believers.
  • Sign of the Cross – At the beginning of the Baptism ceremony, the priest traces the Sign of the Cross on the baby’s forehead and the parents and Godparents do the same, symbolising that the child belongs to Christ. The cross is a symbol of our faith in Jesus
  • Anointing with Oils – In the celebration of baptism two different oils are used:

                  I. the oil of catechumens protects and strengthens the child for the Christian life.

              II. the oil of chrism – a sign of a special calling to witness Christ in their lives.Chrism is also used during the child’s Confirmation