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THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
It is desirable that children should be baptised as soon as is reasonably possible after birth, however we are always delighted to welcome older children and adults into the Catholic Church. Any member of our parish team will be more than happy to chat to you about your own particular situation and circumstances. Dcn Anthony and Sr Eileen have particular responsibility for Baptism preparation.
Our informal and informative preparation talks take place during the course of three evening sessions held over a two week period. Each session lasts about an hour. The first two are always held in one of our five primary schools and the final one in church. Details of these meetings are shown below.
BAPTISM PREPARATION 2008
PROGRAMME 4
Session 1 Monday 16th June - 7.30pm
St James' School
Session 2 Tuesday 24th June - 7.30pm
St James' School
Session 3 Monday 30th June - 7.30pm
St Mary's Church
Session 1 Tuesday 16th September - 7.30pm
St Edmund's School
Session 2 Tuesday 23rd September - 7.30pm
St Edmund's School
Session 3 Tuesday 30th September - 7.30pm
St Richard's Church
Session 1 Tuesday 11th November - 7.30pm
St Francis' School
Session 2 Tuesday 18th November - 7.30pm
St Francis' School
Session 3 Tuesday 25th November - 7.30pm
St Francis' Church
At least one but preferably both parents must attend all three meetings. Godparents are also welcome to participate. Once parents have completed the course a date can then be given for their child's baptism.
Baptism normally take place in each church on the last Sunday of the month immediately following Sunday Mass and usually within two months of the completion of the course.
There is no need to book a place on the course, just turn up at the first meeting and we will take all of your details then. We look forward to meeting you!
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1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),4 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."5
1214 This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out: to baptize (Greek baptizein) means to "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature."6
1215 This sacrament is also called "the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit," for it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one "can enter the kingdom of God."7
1216 "This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their understanding . . . ."8 Having received in Baptism the Word, "the true light that enlightens every man," the person baptized has been "enlightened," he becomes a "son of light," indeed, he becomes "light" himself:9
Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift. . . .We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship.10
