Baptism
Congratulations on the birth of your child whom we are delighted to welcome into our Christian community here in Corofin/Belclare.
In Baptism, your child will be acknowledged and affirmed as a child of God.
Baptism is the first step in your child’s faith journey.
By requesting the Sacrament of baptism for your child, you are giving a commitment that you will bring your child up in the practice of the faith.
We in turn are committed to supporting your family on this journey and we look forward to celebrating the Sacraments of First Penance, First Holy Communion and Confirmation with your child in due course.
Parents requesting Baptism for their child should therefore be practicing Catholics who bring their children to mass regularly.
Baptism Dates and Arrangements
Baptism is celebrated on the first and third Sunday of the month in Corofin Church and on the second and fourth Sunday of the month in Belclare church at 1pm.
Choosing Godparents for your child.
Your child’s godparents are required to be members of the Catholic Church who have celebrated all three sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Communion and Confirmation.
Godparents play an important role in supporting the parents in handing on their faith to their child so they themselves should be practicing Catholics.
However, at the request of the parents, a baptised and believing Christian, not belonging to the Catholic Church, may also act as a Christian witness along with a Catholic godparent.
Baptism Ceremony
At the beginning of the ceremony, the parents formally request the Sacrament of baptism for their child and give a commitment to bring their child up in the practice of the faith.
The godparents commit to supporting the parents in helping the child to grow in faith.
This part of the ceremony concludes with the sign of the cross being traced on the child’s forehead, a lovely gesture of welcome, blessing and belonging.
The Symbols Used in the Baptism Ceremony…
Oils:
In the Celebration of Baptism TWO different oils are used;
1. The Oil of Catechumens – The child is anointed on the chest with this oil as a sign that the Lord is giving them strength for the Christian journey they are beginning.
2. The Oil of Chrism – A very sacred oil, which the child is anointed with on the top of the head. Oil is used to anoint kings and monarchs, it sets people aside for a mission. We are set aside for the Christian mission on the day we are baptised.
Profession of Faith:
You have requested baptism for your child. In doing this, you are making a commitment to bringing up your child in the faith. – We promise to live by Christian values and pass on those values to our child. We promise to bring our child to Mass and the Sacraments, for this is what it means to belong to the Christian family. Therefore we profess the faith that we promise, before the community gathered, to pass onto our child. We pray for the grace to live as good Christian witnesses before our child.
Water:
Water is essential for life! In Baptism, water symbolises the new life we receive in Christ. Just as we nurture and care for a plant or shrub, in order for it to live a healthy life, we too must nurture and care for our faith in order for it to grow healthy and strong.
Baptism Robe/Shawl:
The White Robe is a symbol of Christ. After they were baptised, the early Christians used to clothe themselves in white garments to show that they had “put on Christ”. In the same way, the child, during the baptism ceremony, is clothed in the white shawl to show that they are “clothed in Christ” or “wrapped up” in the love of Christ!
The Baptism Candle:
The large Easter Candle (or Paschal Candle) is lit for the Baptism ceremony. This light symbolises Christ, the Risen Lord, who overcame the cross and rose to new life. It is a symbol of hope! A smaller Baptism Candle is lit from the Easter Candle. This light, love and hope of Jesus is being passed on to the new Christian through You the parents.
AFTER THE BAPTISM CEREMONY…
Your child’s baptism will be recorded in the Baptism register which will also record your child’s confirmation and marriage (or ordination) in due course.
If you wish your child to be baptised into our Christian Community, please complete the baptism request form and return it to the parish office along with a copy of your child’s birth certificate. .
