Baptism is the first Sacrament of initiation, celebrating welcome into the Christian family and the beginning of a new life in Jesus Christ. For adults seeking Baptism, the diocese has a special preparation programme, details of which can be obtained from the Parish Office.
If you have a new born baby and are seeking information about Baptisms in our parish, congratulations on the birth of your child. Our parish community will be delighted to welcome your child into our Christian family.
By asking for your child’s Baptism, you are publicly thanking God for the gift of your child and making a commitment to bring him/her up in the Christian faith. As you do so we offer you our prayers and support.
How the Church sees Baptism
The Church sees Baptism as the first important step on the Christian journey. On the day your child was born, he/she was welcomed into your family. On the day of Baptism a child is welcomed into the bigger family of the Lord, the Church. In Baptism we enter into a unique and special relationship with the person of Jesus Christ and we try to live out that relationship in and through the people around us. Or put another way … In Baptism we become
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A son/daughter of God the Father
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A brother/sister of Jesus Christ
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A temple of the Holy Spirit
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A member of God’s family, the Church.
The Symbols Used in the Baptism Ceremony…
The Sign of the Cross:
A stamp or imprint on something is a sign of its origin or ownership. The sign of the Cross which we make at the beginning of the ceremony on the child’s forehead, claims him/her for Christ.
Oils:
In the Celebration of Baptism TWO different oils are used;
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The Oil of Catechumens – The child is anointed on the chest with this oil as a sign that the Lord is giving him/her strength for the Christian journey of life.
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The Oil of Chrism – A sacred oil with which the child is anointed with on the top of the head. Oil is used to anoint kings and monarchs; it sets people aside for a mission. We are set aside for the Christian mission on the day we are baptised.
Profession of Faith:
YOU have requested Baptism for your child. In doing this YOU ARE MAKING A COMMITMENT to bringing up your child in the faith. – We promise to live by Christian values and pass on those values to our child. We promise to bring our child to Mass and the Sacraments, for this is what it means to belong to the Christian family. Therefore, we profess the faith that we promise, before the community gathered, to pass onto our child. We pray for the grace to live as good Christian witnesses before our child.
Water:
Water is essential for life! In Baptism, water symbolises the new life we receive in Christ. Just as we nurture and care for a plant or shrub, in order for it to live a healthy life, we too must nurture and care for our faith in order for it to grow healthy and strong.
Baptism Robe/Shawl:
The White Robe is a symbol of Christ. After they were baptised, the early Christians used to clothe themselves in white garments to show that they had “put on Christ”. In the same way, the child, during the Baptism ceremony, is clothed in the white shawl to show that he/she is “clothed in Christ” or “wrapped up” in the love of Christ!
The Baptism Candle:
The large Easter Candle (or Pascal Candle) is lit for the Baptism ceremony. This light symbolises Christ, the Risen Lord, who overcame the Cross and rose to new life. It is a symbol of hope! A smaller Baptism Candle is lit from the Easter Candle. This light, love and hope of Jesus is being passed on to the new Christian through YOU the parents.
AFTER THE BAPTISM CEREMONY…
As your children grows it is important to pray with them, share some bible stories (maybe purchase a Children’s Bible), visit the Church to light a candle for someone who is sick, attend Mass…etc.
We pray God’s Blessing upon you in the challenge ahead of bringing up your child in the faith….
Registration of Baptism
The parish records the Baptism of your child in the Baptismal Register of the parish. This record includes the full names of the child, parents and godparents, the child’s date of birth, the date of the Baptism and the name of the officiating priest or deacon. A Certificate of Baptism can be issued by the Parish Office to you on the day of the Baptism and as when required thereafter.