We are truly delighted when parents come forward to have their child baptised, and thus to become a much-loved child of God. Parents have the awesome privilege of bringing their child to Jesus, and we are very happy to help them begin that journey.
In preparation for this life-changing event, we invite parents to look afresh at their own faith, the faith they will be passing on to their child. Using parts of the acclaimed SYCAMORE programme (www.sycamore.fm) and Zoom, we are able to meet virtually with parents at convenient times in the comfort of their own homes. There are opportunities to raise all manner of questions about our Catholic faith and to consider what it means to live as a Christian today.
As a sign of his love, Christ instituted the seven Sacraments, beginning with baptism, that are offered through his Church. Through them he invites each one of us into a personal relationship with himself, and gives us the grace to become like him as we grow in love for God and our neighbour. Once we are baptized, his Holy Spirit dwells within us, and he further enriches us in the Sacrament of Matrimony to help us live our vocation as Christian parents. He himself reaches out to each one of us regularly through the Mass when we receive him in Holy Communion.
Just as parents model their Catholic faith for their child, godparents are intended to do the same, thus supporting parents in the task of passing on the faith. Godparents should therefore be practising Catholics of at least 16 years of age, while a non-Catholic can serve as a Christian witness alongside a Catholic godparent.
Since Mass is a vital part of the practice of our faith, we hope you will join our parish community at Sunday Mass regularly, along with your children, including very young ones, who are always welcome. The ideal time to contact us about baptism is therefore after one of the Sunday Masses (Sat. 6pm, Sunday 11am and 6pm). Please speak to Fr. Keith as you leave Church and he will give you a form to fill in with your child’s details. (Please note he is usually not there for the 6pm Mass on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.)
If for any reason you are unable to meet him after Mass, please email him on keithbarltrop@rcdow.org.uk