Sacraments & Services
Baptism
Baptism is the first sacrament of Christian initiation; it is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213). With Baptism, we start a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship.
The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins. Through Baptism, we are born into the new life by which we become adoptive sons and daughters of the Father, members of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact, the person baptised is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1279).
It is a solid and ancient tradition that the Catholic Church baptises both adults and infants. Children are baptised because of the strength of their parents' and godparents' faith. Adults are baptised because of their own faith and desire to follow Jesus.
Want to receive the Sacrament of Baptism?
Infant Baptism (Under 8 Years)
We are delighted to accompany parents who wish to have their child baptised at St Joseph. Baptism is not only a celebration for your family, but also a joyful moment for our parish community.
Parents are asked to complete a Baptism preparation process before a date can be confirmed. This helps you reflect on the meaning of the sacrament and the responsibility of raising your child in the Catholic faith.
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At least one parent should be a practising Catholic
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Parent(s) to attend Infant Baptism preparation sessions at the parish
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Either one godparent, or two (one male and one female), must be a practising Catholic who has received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist
How To Begin
To request Baptism for your child, please complete the registration form below. The preparation sessions and available dates are announced in the newsletter; the parish can also inform you by email.
In baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ’s call to become holy like our Father in heaven is holy. We are invited to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom.
We are to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love and become his witnesses in the world.
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The Rite of Baptism involves immersing the candidate in water or pouring it over his/her head, while invoking the Name of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1278).
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The Episcopal Conference of England and Wales has a list of non-Catholic Churches in which Baptism administered as described above is recognised as valid. In those churches, doubt of validity can arise only if the minister of Baptism fails to observe his own church’s regulations.
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If you are not Catholic but have received Baptism as described above, we consider your baptism valid. It is, however, recommended that you talk to the priest to make sure all is right. You will not be baptised again if you choose to join the Catholic Church. Rather, you will be initiated into full communion with us through the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
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In case of necessity, any person can baptise, provided that he has the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pours water on the candidate's head while saying: “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1284).
For Children Aged 7 to 18
Please contact your parish priest for more information
Please contact your parish for more information and assistance in your preparations.
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If you are seeking baptism in a parish other than the one in which you live, you should contact your own parish priest in the first instance. [the end]