Baptism
CongratulationsThe Christian community congratulates you on the birth of your child. We share your joy and that of your family and friends. It is natural that you want what is best for your child and that you want to share your faith with him or her. That is why you present your child for baptism.
Your Faith is important
Your most important preparation is to look at your own faith. Your baby will be born with your features and will pick up your mannerisms. As he or she gets older your child will grow up, too, with our faith. When you approach the church about having your child baptised you will be encouraged to thin through your own faith and the part it plays in your life. The very fact that have asked to have your baby baptised shows that you recognise the importance of God in your life. From the earliest days children too young to answer for themselves have been baptised, usually as they accompanied their parents into the Church. For the church recognises the desire of Christian parents to share the life of Christ with their children. Jesus Crist, like you, wants the best for your child.
Growing in God's Love
Your efforts will not only help your baby to grow up in the love of God: they will also help you to grow. As you teach your child to pray, you yourself will deepen your prayer; as you teach your child to appreciate the Mass, your own faith will be enriched. Your baby's baptism is only the beginning of a new life in which you will grow closer to one another in the family and closer to God. The Church welcomes your child into its midst with love and prayers for the future peace and happiness of your family in the years ahead.
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 their family. On the day of baptism, they are 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
- A son/daughter of God the Father
- A brother/sister of Jesus Christ
- A temple of the Holy Spirit
- A member of God’s family, the Church.
Sign of the Cross
A sign on something shows its origins or ownership. The sign of the cross is the mark of Christians for Jesus Christ died on the cross. Parents and god-parents trace it on the child’s forehead to show that the baby belongs to Christ, who now offers his help and grace to face and overcome the sufferings of life.
Water
This is for cleansing and is a sign that our sins are washed away. Baptism cleanses us of original sin with which we are all born and, in the baptism of adults, of every sin committed prior to baptism. Water is also necessary for life and so is a sign, too, that the life of the risen Christ is ours.
Oils
Oil of Baptism is olive oil rubbed on the breast of the baby, just as athletes used to rub themselves with oil to strengthen and prepare for the fight ahead. Oil of Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam (sweet-smelling ointment) and is rubbed on the crown of the head. It is a sign of sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The profession of faith which you make on behalf of your child at baptism will later be confirmed personally by your child in the sacrament of confirmation when Oil of Chrism will be used again. The oils are blessed by the bishop around the time of Maundy (or Holy) Thursday.
White Garment
This garment (usually a white shawl) is a relic of the new clothes worn by Christians after baptism in the first centuries. It is a sign of innocence and the new life of resurrection.
Candles
These symbolise Christ – the Light of the World. The baptismal candle is lit from the paschal candle, which stands near the altar at Easter as a sign of the risen Christ. The baptismal candle reminds us that the light of Christ has entered the child’s life; and its flame symbolises the flame of faith which will burn through the life of your child.
Baptismal Register
Your baby’s baptism will be recorded in the parish Baptismal Register. In the years ahead proof of baptism may be obtained in form of a certificate issued on the basis of this registration. Your child’s confirmation, marriage or ordination will also be noted alongside this entry in the register.
Celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism in St Patrick's Parish
From September 2024 Baptism will be celebrated on the following dates & times1st & 2nd Sunday of the month - St Fiacre's Church 1 pm
3rd Saturday of the month - St Joseph's Church (Foulkstown) 5 pm
4th Saturday of the month - St Patrick's Church 5 pm
See all dates below...
Pre - Baptism Meeting
Parents who wish to have their Child Baptised are required to attend a pre Baptism Information / Registration evening which is held on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 pm in St Patrick's Parish Centre. One or both parents must attend in person.
Families living outside of St Patrick's Parish must present a letter from their parish priest indicating his awareness that the baptism will be celebrated elsewhere.
Families living abroad who originate from St Patrick's Parish & wish to have their children Baptised should organise their travel schedule to coincide with parish baptism dates.
*All Baptisms must be booked at least one month in advance*
Bookings for Baptisms / `registration forms are only available at the Baptism meeting and not over the phone through the Parish Office
The maximum number of families per Baptism Liturgy is four.
Notes
Baptisms are celebrated in the late afternoon on Saturday to avoid clashing with funerals and weddings Baptisms are not celebrated Monday - Friday
The parish reserves the right to change the date and time of the celebration of Baptism and families will be given at least three weeks notice should this be necessary.
Please note Baptism Meetings or Celebrations of the Sacrament of Baptism do not take place during the month of August.
The Sacrament of Baptism is not celebrated during Holy Week (palm Sunday - Holy Saturday inclusive), on Holy days, on Christmas Day
'Private' Baptisms are not celebrated as celebration of the Sacraments are faith community celebrations.
Visiting Priests who are family members or friends are more than welcome to celebrate Baptism on the dates and at times given above.
In the interest of treating every family equally and given the variety of dates now available the celebration of Baptism is restricted to the dates and times outlined above.
