The Christian life begins with Baptism. A new Christian can only live and grow in the Faith through the spiritual help which God provides through His Church. This help comes to the newly baptised particularly through the life and worship of the local Church. Children are baptised ‘on the understanding that they will be brought up as Christians within the family of the Church’. Parents and Godparents promise that they will help them and encourage them by their prayers, their example and their teaching.
To receive the full benefit from a gift, much depends on the person who receives it, as well as the giver. The gift of ‘grace’ in Baptism needs faith and worship to develop a living relationship with God.
Children and infants are baptised at a separate service from that of the Sunday Mass. This is normally at 12noon on a Sunday. The service lasts approximately 20 minutes.
Adults wishing to be baptised are normally done so in conjunction with confirmation (a ceremony confirming one’s intention of practicing the Christian faith). This service is normally done within the context of a Mass, and is performed by the Bishop. No-one is too young, or too old to be baptised.
If you would like to find out more about being baptised, please contact one of the clergy who will be happy to talk to you.