The Catholic Church and the Sacraments
First, a Sacrament is a means by which God comes into our lives to deepen our relationship with Him. The Catholic Church recognises seven Sacraments, namely Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Marriage, Ordination, Anointing of the Sick and Reconciliation. The seven sacraments touch all stages and all the important moments of the Christian life.
So let us look at what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say about the sacraments:
"Christ now acts through the Sacraments he instituted to communicate his grace. The Sacraments are perceptible signs (words and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace that they signify." (1084)
"Celebrated worthily in faith, the sacraments confer the grace that they signify. They are efficacious because in them Christ himself is at work: it is he who baptizes, he who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacrament signifies." (1127)
We believe Jesus himself gave us each of the sacraments and each one flows from his life and ministry. Through each sacrament we are given the grace of God and drawn closer to him. Each sacrament is a visible sign of God's unconditional love for us. A visible sign where God comes to us, and enters into our life and brings us closer to him through his grace.
The sacraments are arranged into three groups:
[list special-6]- Sacraments of Initiation
- Sacraments of Healing
- Sacraments of service
[h2 dotted]The sacraments of Initiation[/h2]
The sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist - lay the foundations of every Christian life. "The sharing in the divine nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity”. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1212)
Baptism
Baptism is the gateway to all the other sacraments, it is our new life with God, the beginning of our initiation into the Church. Baptism also frees us from all sin including original sin. During the rite of Baptism, water is poured on the head as the Priest or Deacon Say’s “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The water and these words (matter and form) are the signs of the sacrament of Baptism. The newly baptised are also anointed with oil, just as Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet and King. The first anointing is with the oil of Catechumens to strengthen the child with the power of Christ. The second anointing is with the oil of Chrism, the Christian’s consecration. There are two other symbolic actions during the baptism they are clothed with a white garment and also the lighting of a candle. The white garment is the outward sign of the Christian’s dignity; this garment is wrapped around the child as a sign of then being clothed in Christ. The lighted candle, which is light from the Paschal candle is entrusted to the godparents for them to keep it burning brightly as the new Christian has now been enlightened by Christ.
[button color href="/index.php/spiritual-centre/the-sacrament-of-baptism"]Baptism Infomation[/button]
Eucharist (Holy Mass)
Eucharist is the sacrament of Jesus' Body and Blood. Jesus is really present in the Eucharist. Jesus gave us the gift of His own Body and Blood at the Last Supper, and we remember this meal when we gather at Mass and receive Holy Communion. The signs of Eucharist are our gifts of bread and wine, which the priest through the power of the Holy Spirit changes into the Body and Blood of Christ during that part of the Mass that we call the Consecration. Eucharist is intimately related to the other sacraments. Only those who have been baptized and have had their sins forgiven may receive the Blessed Sacrament in Holy Communion.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the sacrament in which we are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and are strengthened to give witness to the Good News of Jesus. In Confirmation we speak for ourselves as we renew the promises our parents and godparents made for us at our Baptism. Confirmation is celebrated during a Mass with a bishop, but sometimes the Bishop may delegate this to a priest. A high point in the rite of Confirmation is the laying on of hands. The bishop extends his hands over those to be confirmed, praying in part, "Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their Helper and Guide. Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence."
Then the bishop dips his thumb into blessed oil that is called holy Chrism. He makes the sign of the cross on the foreheads of those being confirmed, anointing them as he says, "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit."
This anointing with oil is the most important sign of the sacrament of Confirmation. Those who are being confirmed choose another name in addition to the one given to them at Baptism. They choose a saint whom they have read about and admire. Sponsors for each candidate are present at the rite of Confirmation to give support to those who are making an adult commitment to their faith. The Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Clare’s parish is celebrated for those young people in school year six.
For one reason or another you may not have been Confirmed, if this is the case contact one of the priests at the parish by following this link.
RCIA – Right of Christian initiation of Adults
RCIA – is a course designed for the reception of adults into the Catholic Church, this course is also adapted for young people who wish to be received into the Catholic Church.RCIA is also called the ‘Catechumenate’ and there are a number of stages and ritual steps leading up to the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. Some people may already have been Baptised in a Christian church whose Baptism is recognised by the Catholic Church, in which case they would receive Confirmation and Holy Communion.
Becoming a Catholic is a big step; it is literally a life changing experience, and one which shouldn’t be entered into lightly, nor should anyone ever feel pushed or coerced into becoming a Catholic because their future husband or wife is one, or because it may be easier to enrol children into a Catholic school. Becoming a Catholic should be something that you feel God is calling you to and something that you desire yourself.
The Sacraments of Healing
Sacrament of the Sick / Anointing of the sick
Sacrament of the Sick / Anointing of the sick - "By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1499)
A sign of life some people have the idea that this sacrament is like the sign of death or approaching death or only offered when all hope is lost. In fact the reverse is true, it is a sign of life, the eternal life promised by Jesus Christ, here and now as well as in the future. Christ came to show us how we can have life to the full in whatever situation we find ourselves. His Spirit, active and dynamic in our sickness and frailty as well as in our health and strength, is a real presence. The sacrament of the sick confirms this in a tangible way.
Advanced Years The frailty of old age is recognised too. An older person may not be seriously ill but the years do impose burdens upon the elderly which can be difficult to adjust to and which can make the older person feel isolated and at times lonely. Again this sacrament helps and strengthens the Christians in this stage of life so that they can continue to be an active part of the family of God, for older people have so much to offer younger Christians.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation - "Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offence committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labours for their conversion."(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1430)
Our Lord Jesus came into our world to win for us the forgiveness of our sins, to show us God’s love and to lead us home to the Father. He achieved this by his death on the Cross of Calvary and by his Resurrection. We gain that forgiveness, first of all, through the Sacrament of Baptism and then it is renewed as often as necessary through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In that Sacrament Jesus waits to reconcile us to friendship with the Father.
To receive God’s forgiveness in this Sacrament a contrite heart is necessary; we have to be sorry for our sins. Those sins must then be confessed to the priest who sits in the person of Christ and also represents our brothers and sisters who have been hurt by our sins. The priest will then confer Absolution, the Holy Spirit coming to live within us displacing our sins and filling us with his life. And, finally, as an outward sign of sorrow, we perform the penance given to us by the priest. This does not make up for the sins committed but rather helps us to begin a new life.
[button color href="/index.php/spiritual-centre/the-sacrements/233-reconciliation"]Reconciliation[/button]
The sacraments of Service are Matrimony and Holy Orders
Matrimony / Marriage - The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1601)
In the Scriptures the relationship between God and God’s people is often described in terms of a marriage. This joining and sacramental sign, which the husband and wife give each other, they also give to the entire faithful community of witness. The fidelity of Catholic husbands and wives is a reflection of a commitment to God and to each other; our human lives are interconnected, like a fabric, woven together by many commitments.
Holy Orders - Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1636)
Episcopate is the order of Bishops, Presbyterate is the order of Priest and Diaconate is the order of Deacons.
The first Deacons where chosen in the Acts of the Apostles. The most famous of these was Stephen who was martyred. Today in the Catholic Church there are two types of Deacons, permanent and transitional.
The first of the Holy Orders is that of Deacon
Permanent Deacons - Permanent Deacons are men who feel called by God to serve the Church. He can be single or married. If the latter, he must be married before being ordained a Deacon. Permanent deacons, especially those who are married, have secular jobs to support their families and also help the Priest of the parish to which they are assigned.
Transitional Deacons - Transitional deacons are seminarians, students in the last phase of training for the Catholic priesthood. After being a deacon for a year, they’re ordained a priest by the bishop.
Deacons help and serve bishops by serving the needs of the Church, proclaiming the gospel, teaching and preaching, baptising, witnessing marriages, and assisting the priest celebrant at liturgies.
[button color href="http://www.lancasterdiocese.org.uk/Groups/157457/The_Diocese_of/People_and_Places/Vocations/The_Permanent_Diaconate/The_Permanent_Diaconate.aspx"]The Permanent Deaconate[/button]
The second of the Holy Orders is that of Priest
Jesus chose 12 men to be apostles. After Jesus' ascension, the apostles had the important mission of spreading the news about Jesus, but they were lacking one member. At a gathering of Jesus' disciples, Peter told the group that a replacement for Judas was needed. The man to be chosen needed to have been a witness to Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Two men were proposed, Justus and Matthias. Peter and the apostles prayed for the Lord to show them whom to choose. Matthias was chosen and became the new apostle (Acts 1:15-26).
All members of the Church participate in the priesthood of Jesus Christ through Baptism. However, some men are called to serve Jesus and the Church today through the ministerial priesthood through the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Through their leadership in the Church, they help continue Jesus' presence on earth in the tradition of the apostles.
Priests serve the community in various ways. They may be called to serve in their dioceses or as religious order priests, carrying out the mission of a particular religious community. They preside at liturgies, preach, administer the sacraments, counsel people, serve as pastors, and teach.
Priests receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders in the Rite of Ordination. The bishop lays his hands on the head of the candidate and says a prayer asking for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In one part of the rite, the candidate lies in front of the altar while the Litany of the Saints is sung or recited. In another part of the rite, a priest's hands are anointed with chrism.
[button color href="http://www.lancasterdiocese.org.uk/Groups/157456/The_Diocese_of/People_and_Places/Vocations/The_Priesthood/The_Priesthood.aspx"]The Priesthood[/button]
The third of the Holy Orders is that of Bishop
A Bishop receives the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. He is the head or Ordinary of the local church. The local area entrusted to him is called a diocese. A bishop is also a member of the episcopal college this is all the Bishops who, with the Pope, guide the Church.
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Our Lord Jesus, came into our world to win for us the forgiveness of our sins, to show us God’s love and to lead us home to the Father. He achieved this by his death on the Cross of Calvary and by his Resurrection. We gain that forgiveness, first of all, through the Sacrament of Baptism and then it is renewed as often as necessary through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In that Sacrament Jesus waits to reconcile us to friendship with the Father.
To receive God’s forgiveness in this Sacrament a contrite heart is necessary, we have to be sorry for our sins. Those sins must then be confessed to the priest who sits in the person of Christ and also represents our brothers and sisters who have been hurt by our sins. The priest will then confer Absolution, the Holy Spirit coming to live within us displacing our sins and filling us with his life. And, finally, as an outward sign of sorrow, we perform the penance given to us by the priest. This does not make up for the sins committed but rather helps us to begin a new life.
5 Tips That Will Change the Way You Think About Confession
HOW TO PREPARE TO
CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENT
Before going to see the priest
a period of reflection and prayer are necessary.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God, I have come here today to seek to be reconciled to you and your Church through the ministry of your priest. As I spend these moments in prayer, help me to bring to mind all the areas where I have failed to let your love shine through me. Give me the grace to make a good confession so that I may be restored to your friendship and may serve you faithfully in my brothers and sisters. I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Spend some moments now thinking over the time since you were last at Confession. Note with praise of God the times you co operated with His grace. Note too, those times you fell into sin so that you can seek forgiveness in those areas.
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
— When making important decisions do I put God first?
— I am so caught up with getting on in this world that I give no thought to the things of God?
— Have I risked losing my faith by setting aside the Church’s teaching and going my own way or by not asking for guidance or by cowardice, concealing the fact that I am a Catholic, out of fear of ridicule?
— Have I really trusted God especially in difficult times?
— Have I prayed morning & evening?
— Have I prayed in times of temptation?
— Have I been guilty of blasphemy, or the use of foul language, swearing?
— Is Sunday a day when I try to give time to the things of God particularly by taking prayerful part in the Mass?
— Is my heart set on money, on my own amusements at any cost?
— Have I taken part in any superstitious practices?
— Do I use other people for my own ends, treating them with contempt, not caring whether I scandalise them in what I say and do?
— In my family life do I really try to fulfill my responsibilities as mother/ father/ son/daughter etc? Do 1 make my home a happy and loving place, by being tolerant and forgiving, giving others consideration and support?
— Do I show proper respect for other members of my family, recognising that disobedience can be a sin when deliberately defying parents?
— As a parent have I done my best to provide for the spiritual and material needs of my family?
— Have I tried to ensure a Christian upbringing for my children?
— Do I scandalise them by what I say or do in their presence?
— Do I make it harder for them to grow up responsibly? Do I put temptation in their path?
— Have I been faithful to my spouse?
— Do I spend my wages properly on my family or do I use too much money on myself?
— Do I take a fair share of responsibility for the older, infirm members of my family?
— Do I spend time and money on those less fortunate than myself, victims of oppression or poverty?
— Do I despise others, particularly those of other races or religions?
— Do I do my fair share in working for the good of my parish?
— Do I avoid getting involved with the people in my own area or at work. Do I ignore obvious injustices?
— Have I paid my taxes?
— In my work am I just, hard working & honest? Do I cheat?
— Do I break the law, do I drive dangerously, do I refuse to pay my bills?
— Have I been truthful & fair? Have deceived others? Judged them rashly? Injured their reputation or revealed secrets?
— Have I been guilty of physical violence, caused damage, maliciously treated others or caused them grave unhappiness? Have I been cruel?
— Do I hate people? Do 1 insult others, quarrel with them and lose my temper?
— Have 1 been responsible for advising or procuring an abortion?
— Have I planned to or stolen the property of others? Have I made restitution of what I have taken?
— Have I forgiven injury or sought revenge?
— Do I accept responsibility for my own life & destiny?
— Do I read about & pray about my faith?
— Do I regularly receive the Sacraments?
— Am I greedy or envious or proud or domineering?
— Have I been chaste and pure? Or have I toyed with temptation to impurity? Have I dishonoured my body by fornication, impurity, foul talk, lustful thoughts, unchaste actions?
— Is my married life according to God’s will and law?
— How do I use my gifts and talents?
— Do I complain about misfortunes, or accept them as a share in Christ’s Passion?
— Have I failed to follow my conscience out of fear or hypocrisy?
HOW TO CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENT
When you are prepared, go to the priest.
You may either remain anonymous or sit with the priest.
The priest will greet you and then you begin.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Please Father give me a blessing, it is .... weeks since my last Confession.
Now is the time to talk to the priest about those areas where you need to seek God’s forgiveness.
When you have finished your Confession the priest may speak about certain aspects of it or offer advice. Then he will give you a penance to perform after you have left Confession.
The priest will then ask you to pray the Act of Contrition:
O MY GOD, BECAUSE YOU ARE SO GOOD, 1 AM VERY SORRY THAT I
HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU AND MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS; AND BY
THE HELP OF YOUR GRACE I WILL TRY NOT TO SIN AGAIN. AMEN.
Use this or another Act of Contrition or use one of your own making. The priest will then pray the prayer of forgiveness ( Absolution) which ends:
I Absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father + and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The priests will then tell you to go in peace. When you leave Confession spend some time thanking God and then perform the penance the priest has asked of you..
IN THANKSGIVING
Lord Jesus, thank you for leading me back to the Father. Thank you for dying for my sins and granting me the forgiveness I seek. Lord, help me to live a life of thankfulness avoiding all that leads me away from you. Grant me the power to use the Grace which you have given to me in this Sacrament so that I may stay close to you the source of life and love. Amen.
Remember to pray for the priest.
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This information has been provided to help parents understand the process of having their child baptized into the Catholic Church. We have included guidelines and some frequently asked questions, which will be helpful with the preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism here at St Clare's Parish. Please read this information carefully. If you have any question please do not hesitate to contact one of the Priests at St Clare's, who will be more than happy to help you.
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This information can also be downloaded as a PDF document below:
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Introduction & Prayer
As parents of a new baby or a baby eagerly awaited, the responsibility and wonder you sense is something we want to celebrate with you as you bring your child to the Church for the Sacrament of Baptism. Our parish family is very happy to have a new member already here or on the way. Your child is important to our community as he/she will bring new life to you and to our Church.
Like all parents you hope to give your child all that is best for them, so that your child will grow to be a good and complete human being, achieving their God given potential and fullness of life. This will include a desire for your child to share in the life of Christ as a member of the Church. As you are aware the first step to sharing in the life of Christ and his Church is Baptism.
Baptism is a wonderful gift to offer your child. Through this Sacrament, your child will be incorporated into the Body of Christ and become a member of our household of faith, here at St Clare's. In your home, we hope your child will come to know, love and serve God. The following guidance is our way of assisting you and your child on your journey of faith in the Catholic Church.
We must point out that Baptism is not simply a "naming ceremony" or even just a blessing for a new baby. It is the beginning of the Christian life and the gateway to eternal life. It is our intention that this booklet will help you to understand this more fully and equip you to be able to decide if you wish your child to be baptised here at St Clare's
The Parish of St Clare's looks forward to welcoming your new arrival into our community of faith.
Best wishes
Prayer
Lord we ask that you be with our family and send your Holy Spirit to help us to make the right decision for our child with regard to baptism. We also ask that you help us to be an example to our child through our faith journey.
We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen
What is the Sacrament of Baptism?
First a sacrament is a means by which God comes into our lives to deepen our relationship with him. The Church recognizes seven sacraments, namely, Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Marriage, Ordination, Anointing of the Sick and Reconciliation. The seven sacraments touch all stages and all the important moments of the Christian life.
First let us look at what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say about the sacraments:
"Christ now acts through the sacraments he instituted to communicate his grace. The sacraments are perceptible signs (words and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace that they signify." (1084)
"Celebrated worthily in faith, the sacraments confer the grace that they signify. They are efficacious because in them Christ himself is at work: it is he who baptizes, he who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacrament signifies." (1127)
We believe Jesus himself gave us each of the sacraments and each one flows from his life and ministry. Through each sacrament we are given the grace of God and drawn closer to him. Each sacrament is a visible sign of God's unconditional love for us. A visible sign where God comes to us, enters into our life and brings us closer to him through his grace.
Baptism is always the first sacrament to be administered and as such is often referred to as the "gateway to the sacraments" because Baptism incorporates us into Christ and forms us into God's people. Baptism as the first sacrament pardons all our sins, rescues us from the power of darkness, and brings us to the dignity of adopted children, a new creation through water and the Holy Spirit. Hence we are called and indeed we are the children of God.
Before we begin to discuss the baptismal process, we would like you to have an understanding of the symbols of Baptism: sign of the cross, water, oil, white garment, and candle. This is so that when the time comes to begin preparation for your child's baptism, you will have a better understanding of how these symbols relate to this very important sacrament.
Sign of the cross
The sign of the cross is traced on your child's forehead; this is the moment when the Church in the name of Jesus Christ welcomes your child.
Water
Water is a symbol of both life and death. When we are baptised we are baptised into the death of Jesus, we die with him upon the cross. When Jesus dies so do sin and death. Our baptism does not end in death but continues in life. As Jesus is raised from the dead by the Father and given new life, so are we through the waters of baptism, raised to life in Jesus Christ. The water of baptism washes away original sin and makes us a new creation.
Oils
During the Sacrament of Baptism your child will be anointed twice with oil, the first anointing is with the oil of the catechumens. A 'catechumen' is somebody who is preparing to become a Christian, and so this oil is used to accompany the Rite of Baptism. Anointing at Baptism is a symbol which points to the gift of the Holy Spirit, which comes to the newly baptized person as it did upon Christ at His Baptism in the Jordan. In Baptism we are "born of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5), the Holy Spirit which is the gift of Christ to His Church. Then there is the second anointing this anointing also reminds us at Baptism that we are made inheritors of the Kingdom of God. The head of the person is anointed with the oil of Chrism. (Kings and Queens are anointed at their coronations.) Holy Chrism is the oil used to anoint people at their Confirmation, and is also used to anoint priests at their Ordination. It is also used in the consecration of altars and Church buildings. 'Consecration' means making holy or setting apart for God's purposes. It differs from the other oils in that it alone is not pure olive oil. A scented balsam is mixed with the oil to make the Chrism.
White Garment
Once we have been claimed for Christ through the water of life, we are clothed in a white garment. This white garment, the Church, tells us is an outward sign of our Christian dignity. Once we have put on Christ, we are to always walk as His followers.
Candle
The light of Christ is passed on to us in the form of a lit candle, which is lit from the Paschal candle that was blessed at the Easter Vigil. We are called to be the light of Christ in the world, and we are asked by the Church to keep that light burning brightly.
As with all things Christian, God chooses the ordinary things of this world, and by His Grace makes them Holy. He then uses them to make His presence felt in the world. He does this when through the Holy Water of the font He gives new and eternal life to His people. He does this supremely when He takes the bread and wine at the hands of a priest and returns them as the Body and Blood of Christ. He does this when, by the means of Holy Oils, He pours His healing and life- giving Spirit into the Church and upon her members.
Now that you have the basic understanding of the Sacrament of Baptism and the associated symbols, we would like to cover some frequently asked questions.
Some frequently asked questions
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[toggle state="closed" title="How soon can I / we have my child baptised?"]Children should be baptised within the first few weeks or months after birth. Arrangements can even be made before the child is born. It is wrong to put off the Baptism simply in order to have a more elaborate celebration party afterwards. It is better to have the Baptism sooner and make the celebrations simpler. A date and time for your child's Baptism can be provisionally given once you have completed the parish form and have met all the criteria. The Baptism date and time will only be confirmed once you have completed the Baptismal Preparation Course.[/toggle] |
| [toggle state="closed" title="Must I / we be Catholic to present a child for baptism? "]At least one parent must be a Catholic to have their children baptized in the Catholic Church..[/toggle] |
| [toggle state="closed" title="I / We are not married, can my child still be baptised?"]Yes, and I know I do not need to remind you of the importance of marriage for yourselves and the Church. We are also aware that there are many reasons why people are either together and not married or separated. This is not the time or the place to discuss this, but please feel free to talk to one of the priests about this subject.[/toggle] |
|
[toggle state="closed" title="Who can be a godparent and how many can we have?"]The choice of godparents is important, as these will be the people who support you bringing up your child in the Catholic faith. A godparent represents the Catholic Church, and then serves as the role model for your child by living a fully Christian life, providing a lifelong example of Christian living, encouraging your child in the experience of our Catholic faith. Therefore the godparents should be people whose faith lends itself to this living example. There are usually two godparents, but there must be one and no more than two will be permitted. If two godparents are desired, one must be male and the other female and if there is one this can be either male or female. According to Canon Law, the law governing the Catholic Church, godparents must be at least 16 years of age, practicing Catholics and should have received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation, meaning they are fully initiated into the Catholic Church, and be living a life in harmony with the Catholic faith. There are occasions when it is permitted to have one Catholic Godparent and a Christian witness at Baptisms. A Christian witness must be a practicing baptized member of another Christian denomination accepted by the Catholic Church. [/toggle] |
| [toggle state="closed" title="Is there any preparation course that we need to attend before out child is baptized?"]Participation in our Baptismal Preparation Course is a pre-requisite to your child being baptized here at St Clare's. The preparation course is run throughout the year and lasts for three sessions one of which the Godparents will be required to attend. The course is designed to give parents and godparents an even greater appreciation of this sacrament and will present you with suggestions on how to pass on the beliefs and values of the Catholic Church to your child.[/toggle] |
| [toggle state="closed" title="Do we have to make any payment for the Baptism?"]No fee is charged for administering the Sacrament. It is however customary to make a donation.[/toggle] |
| [toggle state="closed" title="Baptism and parents responsibilities"]
Because of the lifelong nature and consequences of Baptism, the Church is insistent that the sacrament should only be administered if the child's parents are committed to what they are undertaking and have also been prepared in such a way that they clearly understand the nature of Baptism and are able to demonstrate this. Parents are responsible for instructing and forming their children in both the teaching and practice of the Catholic faith. Although Catholic schools exist to help parents in this regard, they are not a substitute for it. The best instruction that you can give your child is through commitment and good example in the ways of prayer and Christian living. The atmosphere at home is especially important. The Church views the family as the basic building block for itself and the wider society. Baptism is the great moment that begins the spiritual journey. It is the way of life that you are seeking for your son or daughter. It is wonderful that you desire your child to share in the sacramental life of the Church. As you make this request for your child, it should also be a reality in your own life for example: Do you participate in the sacramental life of the Church? Do you regularly attend Mass? Do you make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Are you fully initiated into the Church through Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation? We understand that life can get complicated and we are not here to judge. But, we expect that parents lead by example. The birth of a child often raises questions and issues about the faith life of adults. [/toggle] |
If after reading this information you feel ready to present your child to the Church for baptism please fill in our online form on the next page or see one of the priests after Mass. Once your form has been submitted one of the priests will contact you to make an appointment for you to come and discuss your child's Baptism. After the initial meeting with one of the priests and on acceptance onto the Baptism Preparation Course one of our baptism preparation team will be in contact with you to confirm the details of the next course dates and times.
With all our best wishes and prayers during this important time in your family's life.
Baptism Request Form
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Who can be a godparent and how many can we have?
The choice of godparents is important, as these will be the people who support you bringing up your child in the Catholic faith. A godparent represents the Catholic Church, and then serves as the role model for your child by living a fully Christian life, providing a lifelong example of Christian living, encouraging your child in the experience of our Catholic faith. Therefore the godparents should be people whose faith lends itself to this living example. There are usually two godparents, but there must be one and no more than two will be permitted. If two godparents are desired, one must be male and the other female and if there is one this can be either male or female. According to Canon Law, the law governing the Catholic Church, godparents must be at least 16 years of age, practicing Catholics and should have received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation, meaning they are fully initiated into the Catholic Church, and be living a life in harmony with the Catholic faith. There are occasions when it is permitted to have one Catholic Godparent and a Christian witness at Baptisms. A Christian witness must be a practicing baptized member of another Christian denomination accepted by the Catholic Church. |
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