How Do I Get My Child Baptised In The Parish

Congratulations

If you are reading this, you are likely about to have a baby or have just brought a new child into the world.

We Are Here To Help

We are here to help you and your child enjoy being part of a wonderful network of families, including many other new parents. We are here to support you and your child in any way that we can, all centred in the love of Jesus Christ.

Your child is welcome to be Baptised here if at least one parent (or adoptive parent) is a Catholic. Of course, you should also live in the parish or have a link to our church (perhaps if you were brought up here). And that’s it. 

They are the only criteria. So if there is any circumstance that worries you, or where you think we might not baptise your child, please do not be anxious. Simply get in touch, have a chat with Fr John, and we will be there for you.

Baptism

For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Baptism is the first sacrament of Christian initiation. Through Baptism we are freed from sin, we become adopted sons and daughters of God and are embraced into the family of the Church.

The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus. Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist. The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters. . . . Jesus did not need to be baptised because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin. However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptise all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin – Original and actual – and begin to live a new life with God.

Baptism transforms us. It marks our soul for life and eternity. In baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ’s call to holiness. In baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love.

Although we Catholics believe that every human being is made in the image and likeness of God, it is through baptism we become sons and daughters of God and are brought into that most mysterious communion with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Rite of Baptism

Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: ‘Baptism is the Sacrament of regeneration through water in the Word.’’ Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213



The Rite of Baptism involves immersing the candidate in water or pouring it over his/her head, while invoking the Name of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (CCC 1278).

If you are not Catholic but have received Baptism as described above, we consider your baptism valid. So, you will not be baptised again if you choose to join the Catholic Church. Rather, you will be initiated into full communion with us through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

Godparents

For the Baptism, you’ll also need Godparents – at least one, and they need to be baptised, confirmed and practising Catholic, over the age of 18.

This will all be discussed at the preparation evening, where hopefully, any questions you have will be answered.

Once again, congratulations. Please call or email the parish office, and we look forward to welcoming your child into the community with the wonderful grace of Baptism.

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