We welcome your child on behalf of all in our Christian Family. May all children come to know that they are sons and daughters of God and members of the Church. May they be faithful followers of Jesus and true witnesses to the Gospel.
Parents
“The Christian community welcomes you with great joy” – these words will be used at the ceremony of Baptism to welcome your child into the faith community which is the Catholic Church. Our Parish rejoices to offer these words of welcome to your child and prays for you and your child at this time: may the flame of Christian faith be alive in your hearts.
Baptism Ceremony
Baptisms take place in Ballybrown Church on the first and third weekends of the month and in Patrickswell Church on the second and fourth weekends of the month. The baptismal ceremony takes place in both Ballybrown and Patrickswell on Saturdays and Sundays.
Times for Baptisms: Patrickswell on Saturdays at 2.00pm and Ballybrown at 3.00pm, Patrickswell and Ballybrown on Sundays at 12.30pm.
Due to Covid-19 the number taking part in the Baptism needs to be limited (ideally not more than 20 persons).
It is possible to have a midweek baptism if the priest is available.
One month’s notice is required. Please ring or email the Parish office to book your child for baptism. You may contact our Patrickswell sacristan Maria if you wish to have your child baptised in Patrickswell Church.
Baptisms normally take place in the community where you live. If you wish to have your child baptised elsewhere you will need to obtain a letter of consent from the parish of your residence.
Baptism Preparation meetings
Due to Covid-19 Restrictions these meetings can no longer take place, however a member of the Parish’s Baptismal Teams will contact you by phone to discuss the Sacrament of Baptism as well as practicalities around the Ceremony.
Baptismal Team Coordinator – Patrickswell: Maria Bucke.
Baptismal Team Coordinator – Ballybrown: Angela Cliffe.
Notes:
The Church asks parents, godparents and priests to ensure that the child’s name is not “foreign to Christian sentiment” [Canon 855]. It is recommended that at least one name would be the name of a Saint.
One godparent is sufficient and may be either male or female. A godparent must be:
- Not less than sixteen years of age
- A Catholic who has received the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation
- Living “a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken” [Canon 874].
Godparents
During the Baptism ceremony, the godparent(s) will be asked if they are willing to undertake the role of godparent (i.e. to support the parents in handing on the Christian faith to the child) and they will also be asked to profess publicly the Christian faith.
The duties and responsibilities of a godparent are as follows:
- Be an example of what it means to live the Christian life;
- Help the child to grow in the Christian faith;
- Encourage the child to pray and to practise the Christian faith;
- Help the child as he/she prepares for other Sacraments;
- Pray for the child.
Registration of Baptism
After the Baptism the parish records the baptism of your child in the Baptismal Register of the parish.
