Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism

Congratulations on the birth of your child! The Parish Community shares in your joy. The Baptism of a child is a very special occasion in the life of a family. It is also a very special occasion in the life of the Church. Just as we welcome a child into our families, so too the Church welcomes children into the family of God. Baptism is the Church’s sacrament of welcome and the gateway to all the other sacraments.

Baptism is the sacrament which initiates a person into the Christian Community, making them children of God and members of the local parish. In it we celebrate God’s love for us and are affirmed as followers of Christ.

The central role in passing on faith belongs to parents/guardians. It is they who will be the role models of faith for their children. It is in the home that children need to learn and experience trust, love, faith, hope and commitment in order for their faith to grow.

The decision to baptise a child carries with it responsibilities that will last long after the celebration is over. Therefore a key question for parents is “Why do I want my child baptised?” Baptism is a sacrament, a graced moment in which we meet God, and the decision to celebrate the sacrament deserves careful consideration.

In Baptism, God gives us the gift of new life. We become his sons and daughters and belong to Christ. The child is anointed with oil as a sign of being strengthened and being chosen by God. The pouring of water over the person’s head reminds us of the cleansing and life-giving power of God’s love which is literally being poured out.

In requesting Baptism for their children, parents are accepting certain responsibilities concerning the faith formation of their children. Faith needs to be nurtured in order for it to grow; one way of doing this is to introduce the child to regular practice of the faith.

Early in the Baptism ceremony the priest says “The Christian Community welcomes you with great joy.” This is the core theme and meaning of the ceremony.

In the Sacraments we meet Jesus. Baptism is a Sacrament. Sacraments use familiar, everyday things, (like water, oil, bread, movement) to make real for us the presence of Jesus. Each day we use words and signs to communicate with one another. God also communicates with us in the sacraments through words and signs. The signs used in Baptism are water, oil, white garment and light. When someone is baptised, that person is joyfully made a child of God the Father, a brother or sister of Christ, and a member of the people of God, the Church.

Dates for Baptism Ceremonies

Baptisms take place as follows:

  • Every Saturday at 4.30pm in St Muredach’s Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Church,
  • Every Sunday at 1.15pm (following the last Mass) in St. Muredach’s Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Church.

Please call the Pastoral Centre (Telephone 096-70555) to arrange your child’s Baptism.

Baptismal Certificates

Baptismal Certificates can be obtained from the Parish Office once Identification is submitted. To facilitate us in our search for your Baptismal Certificate we need the following details as accurately as possible. Please give as much information as you can.

  • First Names
  • Family Name
  • Father’s First Name and Family Name
  • Mother’s First Name and Maiden Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Your full postal address.
  • Proof of ID.

The above information can be posted to us at:
The Pastoral Centre,
Cathedral Grounds,
Ballina,
Co. Mayo,
F26 H5 8A

Or emailed to:
ballinaparish@killaladiocese.org

Sacraments