Baptism
ARRANGING A BAPTISM OF YOUR CHILD AT
Our Lady and St John the Baptist?
Please give at least One Month’s Notice before the date of Baptism to the Parish Priest Fr Patrick of Our Lady and St John the Baptist church.
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Attend Sunday Mass with the child to be baptised for at least four Sundays preceding the date of the baptism and introduce yourself to the parish priest.
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Complete a Baptism Application form at the bottom of this page and summit it and the parish priest of Our Lady and St John the Baptist?, Aberdeen will contact you as soon as possible.
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Attend a Baptism preparation course to be arranged before the date of the child’s baptism.
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If you are not a regular member of Our Lady and St John the Baptist?, you will be expected to make a minimum donation of £50 for the baptism of your child.
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Please endeavour to read the short passage on the significance of the Sacrament of Baptism on this page.
OBTAINING A COPY OF BAPTISM CERTIFICATE?
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Please supply us with the full name (including the surname as it was on the date of baptism) of the baptised, and the date of baptism.
Supply us with the full names of parents and Godparents of the baptised.
This information will enable us to supply you with the correct record of your baptism from the baptism register.
If you are not a regular member of Our Lady and St John the Baptist Parish you will be expected to make a donation to the parish to cover the cost of acquiring the document for you.
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SEEKING PERMISSION TO BAPTISE YOUR CHILD IN ANOTHER PARISH?
Please contact the parish priest of St Columba’s Parish in person for a written permission to have your child baptised in a different parish.
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The Significance of the Sacrament of Baptism
Congratulations on the birth of your child and thank you for bringing him/ her to be baptised.
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The Sacrament of Baptism: Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments, which Christ instituted. Through this sacrament we are born to a new life; we come to share in the life of the Blessed Trinity, and so become children of God in Christ Jesus, heirs of heaven, and members of the Church. In this sacrament, we are cleansed of original sin and all personal sins, endowed with faith, hope and love, and sealed as members of Christ’s kingdom.
A person is only fully initiated into the Catholic Church when he or she has received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist.
The celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism is a family occasion, a time for rejoicing and thanking the Almighty God for the gift of a new life.
Please try to keep things simple so that the real spiritual meaning and significance of the Sacrament is not overshadowed or lost sight of.
A candle is required during the Rite of Baptism. The Church may provide this special candle if requested and you will be allowed to take it with you after the Baptism as a reminder of this important occasion.
There is no charge for the Sacrament of Baptism. The grace of God and the Sacrament cannot be bought for any amount of money. However, it is customary to leave an offering for the church. The amount is left to your discretion.
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Christian Name: Try to give some thoughts to the Saint’s name(s) that you give to your child. It is important to choose a Saint who is an example of a virtue or quality that you would like to be kept at the forefront your child’s mind later in life.
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Godparents: Godparents are called to be examples of the Catholic Faith and to support parents in the spiritual upbringing of their child. It is therefore important that godparents are reliable and trustworthy; and at least one of them should be a practising Catholic who attends Mass every Sunday.
The other godparents must be a Christian.
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Catholic Education: Baptism marks the beginning of the ongoing process of spiritual development and education of Catholic children. Parents therefore have the obligation to bring their children to Mass regularly. They are also encouraged to send their children to Catholic schools where such an education is guaranteed. The head teacher of any of the Catholics Schools in the city of Aberdeen will be happy to talk to parents about their child’s future education. Please do not hesitate to contact any of the schools, however young your child may be.
The parish of Our Lady and St John the Baptist warmly welcomes you. Thank you and God bless.
