THE SACRAMENTS
Baptism
By Baptism we are freed from orginal sin, are born again as children of God, are anointed to Christ to share in his mission as Priest, Prophet and King by an indelible character and are incorporated into the Church.
Please speak with Fr David if you wish to be Baptised, or you wish to have your child baptised. It is expected that you either live in the parish, or that you attend mass regularly. If you live outside the parish then we will require a letter of permission from your parish priest.
Adult Baptism
Adult Baptism is part of the RCIA programme (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.) and occurs after a period of instruction and reflection together with the other Sacraments of Initiation – Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Infant Baptism
For the baptism of Infants we offer parents and godparents a preparation course which is held once a month. Please speak with Fr David to discuss your interest and sign up for a place on the course. The course normally happens on the second Sunday of each month at 5pm in the parish hall and lasts about an hour and 30 mins.
Requirements for Baptism
Parents of the child to be baptised…
and those who are to undertake the office of godparents, are to be suitably instructed on the meaning of this sacrament and the obligations pertaining to it.
For an infant to be baptised lawfully…
both parents must give their consent and at least one of them must be a practicing Catholic. There must be a well-founded hope that the child will be brought up Catholic.
The role of the godparents…
is together with the parents to present the child for baptism and to help the child to live a Christian life befitting the baptised and faithfully to fulfil the duties inherent in baptism – to follow Christ in love and service.
Godparents must be…
a practicing Catholic no less than 18 years of age who is in good standing with the Church. A non-Catholic can only act as a witness, and will not appear on the Baptism certificate or register.
Baptism of Older Children
Children between the ages of 7 and 14 are regarded as children of catechetical age. They are prepared for the sacrament following the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC).
Please contact Fr David if you wish to start the RCIC.