Baptism
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 sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, § 1213
Baptism is a sacrament that can only be celebrated once. The reason for this is baptism bestows upon us a gift that can never be lost, we call this (1) the baptismal ‘character.’ What this means is that the sacrament of baptism maps on to the human soul the image of Christ, his likeness drawn at the centre of who we are, and that can never be lost. Now because in baptism we are given the likeness of Christ several other things happen as a result of this. (2) We are freed from original sin, because we now bear the image of the Jesus, the new Adam, rather than the old Adam who first sinned. If someone is baptised as an adult all their other sins up until that point are forgiven as well. (3) We become children of God. Because our soul has been marked with the image of the only Son of God we now share in that relationship with God, he becomes our Father, because we are a part of his Son. (4) We become members of God’s Church, the Church is the ‘body of Christ’ and so by sharing in his image we are made a part of it. (5) Finally we are bonded to other Christians. The same image of Jesus that is drawn on the soul when we are baptised is found at the heart of everyone who has been baptised. We share something very precious in common and that creates a special bond between us.
If you wish to have your child baptised, the first step is to take part in a baptism preparation course. These courses are held regularly across the Parish, and information about upcoming dates can be obtained by contacting the Parish Office.
Please note that baptism should usually take place within the Parish where you live, or in the church where you regularly attend Mass. Please do not make plans for the baptism until a date and time has been agreed with the priest, which will happen after the completion of the preparation class.
Baptisms are typically celebrated on Saturdays in our churches, but this may vary. To begin the process or to enquire further, please get in touch with the Parish Office.
Prepare for Baptism by scheduling an appointment through the Parish Office. Whether you are considering Baptism for your child or for yourself, this is an important and meaningful step in your journey of faith. A member of the parish team will guide you through the preparation process and provide support with all necessary arrangements for this significant sacrament. The parish community is here to accompany you as you take this step towards deeper life in Christ. To find out how to contact the Parish Office and set up your appointment, please click here.
