The Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism is a great gift by which we become sons and daughters of God! It is the gateway to begin our whole Christian journey.  

We are delighted that you are considering baptism for yourself or your child. It is a beautiful treasure that the Lord offers us, and we are happy to be able to share it with you. It also brings responsibilities along with it, which is why we ask you to undertake some preparation before receiving the sacrament. To request baptism for your young child (under the age of 7), please come to the next baptismal preparation meeting. The dates are announced in the parish newsletter. 

If you wish to be baptised over the age of 7, we have two pathways: the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). For those who are in between the two (e.g. older teens), we will discuss with you on a case-by-case basis which would be more appropriate.

The RCIA programme runs for around 9 – 10 months each year, starting in September. Please check the parish newsletter throughout September to see how to register. If you have a child you would like to enrol on the RCIC programme, please contact the parish office. 

What is Baptism and Why Is It Important?

Baptism is the first and foundational sacrament of the Church. It is through baptism that we

are united with Christ and become members of His Church. This sacrament opens the door

to the entire Christian life and enables us to receive all the other sacraments.

In baptism, we receive what is called a sacramental character, a spiritual mark on the soul

that cannot be erased. Through this, we are configured to Christ and share in His threefold

mission as priest, prophet, and king. This means we are called to offer our lives to God in

prayer and worship (like a priest), to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel (like a prophet),

and to serve others with love and justice (like a king).

Baptism also has profound spiritual effects. It cleanses us from all sin, including original sin,

and fills us with sanctifying grace, the very life of God in our souls. It also gives us

justification, meaning we are made right with God and begin a new life in Christ. These are

not merely symbolic acts but real spiritual transformations.

As previously mentioned, Baptism marks the beginning of our journey of faith. Just as the Israelites passed through the Red Sea, leaving behind their slavery in Egypt to begin their journey to the Promised Land, so we, too, pass through the waters of baptism, leaving behind the slavery of sin. Freed by grace, we begin the pilgrimage toward eternal life.

The Scriptures are full of images that point to baptism. In the Book of Genesis, the Spirit of

God hovers over the waters at creation. In the story of Noah, the flood waters cleanse the

earth and give rise to a new beginning. These prefigurations, or early signs, show us how

baptism brings new life, cleansing us from sin and making us a new creation.