Baptism
Congratulations and Thanks
Congratulations on the birth of your child! The Parish Community shares in your joy. Thank you for wanting to have your baby join the family of the Church through Baptism. By asking for your baby’s Baptism, you are publicly thanking God for His gift to you and making a commitment to bring up your child in the Christian faith. We will help you carry out your decision by giving you our wholehearted support.
Baptisms are conducted weekly at 2:00p.m.
on a Saturday and at 12:30p.m. on a Sunday.
Call the parish office and arrange a day and time for the Baptism
Please give at least one months notice.
Preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism https://youtu.be/qdzipxyxp7m
Through the Parish Pastoral Council, a Baptismal Training Team has been formed. Before the sacrament of Baptism, parents are required to attend a scheduled training session in the parochial house. The aim of the training session is to inform the parents on the sacrament of baptism and what to expect at the baptismal ceremony.
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made shares in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word" (Catechism of the Catholic Church)
Baptism is the Sacrament by which we are initiated into the life of Christ and become a member of God's household. Baptism may take place at any age after proper catechetical instruction. For Adults this process is through R.C.I.A (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). The norm here, however is Infant Baptism. Parents of Infants or small children are required to call the parish office and arrange a day and time for the Baptism - Please give at least two weeks notice. The parish has a Baptismal Visitation Team whose Ministry is to visit those preparing for Baptism. Arrangements for their visit will be made at the time of your booking.
All of the Sacraments of the Church are considered acts of public worship and as such ought to be performed on the Sabbath with the Community of believers present. When we are baptized we become God's children through adoption and co-heirs with Christ to the promise of Salvation. As such we join the family of the Church. As there are a large number of children to be baptized each year your cooperation is appreciated.
The Catholic Church requires 2 Sponsors for Baptism, commonly referred to as 'Godparents". The Church asks that there be one male sponsor and one female sponsor. At least one of these must be a Catholic who has received the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, eucharist and be at least 16 years of age. If the individual is married they must have been married in a Catholic Ceremony recognized by the Catholic Church. If you choose one of the sponsor who is not a Catholic that person must be a Christian who has received the Sacrament of Baptism, they are not properly speaking a sponsor or godparent but referred to as a Christian Witness. The sponsor has no legal guardianship rights over your children.  The purpose of the sponsor is to assist the child in the development of their faith, for this reason you are asked to choose someone who practices their faith and not simply as an award to a faithful friend or relative. Once a godparent has been chosen and the baptism has been performed the record cannot be altered later if you have a falling out with the godparent or Christian witness, again choose the person wisely.
Should you have a special circumstance, for example a teenage pregnancy, an older child, a child with a disability, etc. please speak with one of the priests. Scheduling problems with the caterer are not considered special circumstances.
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