Baptism

Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the spirit and the door which gives access to the sacraments.

Congratulations on being a parent.

Your child is a great gift from God and your baby’s baptism is a time for celebration and joy.  We are here to support you as parents to plan and prepare for the baptism in the best possible way.

The Sacrament of Baptism

Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God, we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the church and made sharers in her mission. Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and the word.

The sacrament of Baptism is a serious matter and needs careful thought and preparation. The rite itself is quite explicit about the role and responsibility of parents who wish to bring their child into the family of the church through Baptism. In asking to have your child baptised you are accepting the responsibility of training him/her in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring up your child to keep God’s commandments, as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbour.

Baptism

Arranging Your Baptism

  • To have your child baptised in one of the above churches you must live within the boundaries of that parish.
  • One of the child’s parents must be a practising Roman Catholic.
  • The Parish Priest must be satisfied that the parents have a clear understanding of their responsibilities in having their child baptised into the Catholic Church.
  • Attend one of the Baptism Catechesis Programme before the Baptism of your child

Godparents

  • Two are necessary for the child getting baptised.
  • They must be at least 16 years old and baptised Christians with at least one of them being a practising Roman Catholic.
  • Godparents must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptised on the road to Christian life.
  • A parent of the child to be baptised cannot also be a Godparent.
  • A non-Catholic may be a sponsor providing another person fulfils the role set out about.

Baptism Catechesis Programmes
Before the Baptism of your child, we ask that you attend a meeting to prepare for the sacrament. The meeting is informal & relaxed and is run by young parishioners who are parents themselves. Godparents are very welcome to attend the meeting with you if they wish. We hope you will enjoy the opportunity to explore the significance of Baptism and the chance to meet other parents whose children are to be baptised around the same time as your own.

You can attend the meeting before or after the birth of your baby. If you come along after the birth you are very welcome to bring the baby with you but we ask that you do not bring other children along. The meeting usually takes place in one of our churches.

The next Baptism course is on Tuesday 7th 7-8.30pm November at St Margaret Clitherow.

Please contact Parish Office for the upcoming schedules.

Baptisms in our community take place at any of our churches:

  • Holy Spirit, West Bridgford
  • Our Lady of Grace, Cotgrave
  • St Anne, Radcliffe on Trent
  • St Margaret Clitherow, Keyworth

Baptisms are usually scheduled during the normal weekend Masses or at another time during the weekend.

Cost:
£20 enrolment fee to cover the materials for the Baptism Catechesis Programme. It is customary to
make an offering to the officiating minster. The minimum suggested donation is £50.

Next Step:
Complete the Parish Baptism Form and return it to the Parish Office if you would like your child baptised.

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