Our community is delighted when parents wish to raise their children as a Christian, as members of the Roman Catholic church. We will do all we can to offer support to their children’s growth and development in the faith. But no-one and nothing can replace the role of a parent.
To help parents prepare for the baptism and the responsibilities which flow from it we provide a baptism preparation course.
In our parish preparation for baptism has three parts:
Resources that you might find helpful:
To help parents prepare for the baptism and the responsibilities which flow from it we provide a baptism preparation course.
In our parish preparation for baptism has three parts:
- An introductory meeting for parents at which you will meet other families preparing for baptism, and our parish Baptism Preparation team. Together we reflect on the importance of our names; why baptism is important to us, and what it means for the Church; the ministry of Godparents and who is eligible to be a godparent. This meeting is also the form-filling meeting!
- A home visit from Fr Allen Following the introductory meeting Fr Allen will arrange to visit you at home - which gives you an opportunity to discuss with him any particular matters concerning the baptism of your child.
- A second group meeting for parents, and at which godparents-to-be are also welcome. This begins with an 11am celebration of Sunday Mass which will include prayer and a Blessing for you as parents. After Mass there is a meeting of about 45 minutes in which we reflect on family life, and have a 'walk through' the baptism service. The session gives a little space to reflect on the responsibilities (and joys!) of being a father, a mother, a family; on how a family can share faith together and help deepen its Christian identity or (as in a family where members have different faiths or none) how the faith of the Christian members may be fostered while being respectful of the needs of other family members.
Resources that you might find helpful:
- Background information about Baptism in our parish (PDF) including a form that you are asked to complete and bring to the first preparation meeting. (This sheet is also available in the church porch.
- Brief description of the Baptism rite (PDF), which may be helpful to give to those you may wish to invite to the Baptism, wbut who are not Christian or familiar with the form of the celebration.
