We welcome your child on behalf of all in the Christian family. May all children come to know that they are sons and daughters of God and members of the Church. May they be faithful followers of Jesus and true witnesses to the Gospel.

Parents

“The Christian community welcomes you with great joy” – these words will be used at the ceremony of Baptism to welcome your child into the faith community which is the Catholic Church.  Our Parish rejoices to offer these words of welcome to your child and prays for you and your child at this time:  may the flame of Christian faith be alive in your hearts.

Baptism Ceremony

Baptisms take place in the parish Church. The baptismal ceremony takes place on Saturdays at 5.30pm.

One month’s notice is required. Please ring or email the Parish priest for availability of the desired date and to register your child.

Baptisms normally take place in the community where you live.  If you wish to have your child baptised elsewhere you will need to obtain a letter of consent from the parish of your residence.

Baptism Preparation meetings

These meetings are conducted by one of the parish’s Baptismal Teams.

Notes:
The Church asks parents, godparents and priests to ensure that the child’s name is not “foreign to Christian sentiment” [Canon 855].  It is recommended that at least one name would be the name of a Saint.

One godparent is sufficient and may be either male or female.   A godparent must be:

  • Not less than sixteen years of age
  • A Catholic who has received the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation
  • Living “a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken” [Canon 874].

Godparents

During the Baptism ceremony, the godparent(s) will be asked if they are willing to undertake the role of godparent (i.e. to support the parents in handing on the Christian faith to the child) and they will also be asked to profess publicly the Christian faith.

The duties and responsibilities of a godparent are as follows:

  • Be an example of what it means to live the Christian life;
  • Help the child to grow in the Christian faith;
  • Encourage the child to pray and to practise the Christian faith;
  • Help the child as he/she prepares for other Sacraments;
  • Pray for the child.

Registration of Baptism

After the Baptism the parish records the baptism of your child in the Baptismal Register of the parish.