‘Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.’
Matthew 28:19-20
Baptism is a significant step in the life of a family. It is the beginning of a journey of faith towards knowing and understanding the meaning of God’s love for us.
Baptism means to ‘immerse, plunge or dip’. Jesus himself was baptised or ‘plunged’ in the river Jordan by John. The sign of the Holy Spirit was seen, and the Father’s voice was heard, “This is my Son, the Beloved; in whom my soul delights.” (Matt.3:17)
The essential rite of Baptism consists of the priest immersing the baby or person in water or pouring water on his head, while pronouncing ‘I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.’
Baptism is conferred once and conveys a permanent sign that the new Christian is a child of God. It is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation that mark the movement of new Catholics to full membership of the Church Baptism celebrates the beginning of a person’s movement to the reception of Jesus Christ in Eucharist as food for their journey. Likewise the Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens and seals the person as they continue to journey to receive the Lord’s Body and Blood from the Eucharistic table.
Celebrating baptism is more than a private family celebration. It is the sacrament whereby a person becomes a member of our Christian family and enters the Pascal mystery of Christ. To bring this out, we recommend that the sacrament be celebrated on Sunday, even at Mass so that the entire community may be present and the necessary relationship between Baptism and Eucharist can be clearly seen.
We are delighted to baptise people who wish to become part of Christ’s Church on earth and thereby part of our faith family. Baptismal preparation occurs within the parish.
In the parish there are a number of two processes for the reception of the Sacrament of Baptism depending on the age of the person wanting to be baptised: