Baptism

Through the gift of the sacrament of baptism Jesus shares his life with us. He makes us members of his Body, and enables us to die to sin and rise to new life in him. The sacrament of Baptism is celebrated as a response to the Lord’s invitation, made to each human being, become his disciple, to live as a witness to the gospel, sharing in the life of the Church.

Adults who are considering whether they wish to make such a commitment are helped to reach their decision through taking part in meetings of the parish Journeys in Faith group. This group shares in prayer and reflection on the scriptures and the teaching of the Church. The experience provides those ‘journeying in faith’ with an opportunity, sometimes their first, of sharing in the life of the Church in the parish.

Infants, aged 3 and under, are baptised on the basis of the faith of their parents. It is the parents who in a solemn moment of the baptism ceremony take on the responsibility of bringing their children up in such a way that they are familiar with and are able to fulfil the commands of Christ, to love God and our neighbour. A baptism preparation course is provided to help parents understand and prepare for their responsibility.

Children of an older age are prepared for baptism in a way which respects their ability actively to participate in the ceremony of baptism, in ways suited to the age and circumstances of the particular child.