Baptism
Requesting a Baptism Certificate
If you require a Baptism Certificate please print off and complete the form using the link below:
Congratulations and Thanks
We extend a warm welcome to all who visit our parish website and a very special welcome if you intend to have your child baptised in our Parish.
Congratulations on the birth of your child! Life is glorious and all life is sacred!
The Parish Community shares your joy. Thank you for wanting to have your baby join the family of the Church through Holy Baptism. By asking for your baby’s Baptism, you are publicly thanking God for His gift to you and making a commitment to bring up your child in the Catholic faith. Baptism is the beginning of your child’s journey of faith. Your efforts will not only help your baby to grow up in the love of God; they will also help you to grow in God’s love.
Your Baby’s Baptism
Why have you requested Baptism for your child in the Church?
There may be many reasons… Seems to be the thing to do? Someone else in the family wants it? It’s on my “to do” list? I’m afraid something might happen to my child? It’s a significant step that starts the faith journey?
How the Church sees Baptism
The Church sees Baptism as the first important step on the Christian journey. On the day your child was born, he /she was welcomed into their family. On the day of Baptism they are welcomed into the family of the Lord, the Church. In Baptism we enter into a unique and special relationship with the person of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word and we try to live out that relationship in and through the people around us, the Body of Christ.
Parish Role
Application Form:
To request Baptism for your child, please contact the Parish Priest: pp.stmaximiliankolbe@dioceseofleeds.org.uk
For regular members of the congregation there is a requirement of five weeks notice before a formation session can take place during which a date for your child’s Baptism will be discussed.
For those parishioners who do not attend Mass regularly then the Deanery policy is that parents endeavour to attend Sunday Mass for six months.
A copy of your baby’s Birth Certificate must accompany the application process, which must be signed by both parents.
If you live outside the Parish you must seek the permission of your Parish Priest.
Date and Time of Baptism:
Baptism Liturgy – to be discussed with the Parish Priest.
(There are no Baptisms during the season of Lent.)
Godparents’ Role:
Choose your child’s godparents with care: they must be practicing Catholics, confirmed, and be at least sixteen years of age. They will be undertaking with you to share the responsibility of handing on the faith to their godchild, as he / she grows up. The basic requirement for Baptism is one godparent. A Christian of another denomination cannot be a godparent but they can be a Christian Witness at a Catholic Baptism. The child will still need a Catholic godparent.
The Symbols Used in the Baptism LITURGY …
The Sign of the Cross:
A stamp or imprint on something is a sign of its origin or ownership. The sign of the Holy Cross which we make at the beginning of the liturgy on the child’s forehead, claims him / her for Christ.
Oils:
In the Celebration of Baptism TWO different oils are used;
- The Oil of catechumens – The child is anointed on the chest with this oil as a sign that the Lord is giving them strength for the Christian journey they are beginning.
- The Oil of Chrism – A very sacred oil, with which the child is anointed on the top of the head. Oil is used to anoint kings and monarchs; it sets people aside for a mission. We are set aside for the Christian mission on the day we are baptised.
Profession of Faith:
YOU have requested Holy Baptism for your child. In doing so YOU ARE MAKING A COMMITMENT to bring up your child in the faith. You promise to live by Christian values and pass on those values to your child. You promise to bring your child to Mass and the Sacraments, for this is what it means to belong to the Christian family. Therefore you profess the faith that you promise, before the community gathered, to pass on to your child. You pray for the grace to live as good Christian witnesses before your child. You are a vital ingredient, together with your son’s / daughter’s godparent(s), to shape the image and likeness of God in your cherished offspring. Glory!
Water:
Water is essential for life! In Baptism, water symbolises the new life you receive in Christ. Just as you nurture and care for a plant in order for it to live a healthy life, you too must nurture and care for your faith in order for it to grow healthy and strong.
Baptism Garment:
The white garnment is a symbol of Christ. After they were baptised, the early Christians used to clothe themselves in white garments to show that they had “put on Christ”. In the same way, your child, during the Baptism Liturgy, is clothed in a white shawl to show that he / she is “clothed in Christ” or “wrapped up” in the love of Christ!
The Baptism Candle:
The large Easter Candle (or Pascal Candle) is lit for the Baptism. This light symbolises Christ, the Risen Lord, who overcame the Cross and rose to a new life. It is a symbol of hope! A smaller Baptismal Candle is lit from the Easter Candle. This light, love and hope of Jesus is being passed on to the new Christian through YOU the parents.
AFTER THE BAPTISM LITURGY …
As your child grows it is important to pray with them, share some Bible stories (maybe purchase a Children’s Bible), visit the church to light a candle for someone who is sick, attend Mass…etc.
We pray God’s Blessing upon you in the opening of glory ahead of bringing up your child in the faith….
Registration of Baptism
The Parish records the Baptism of your child in the Baptismal Register of the Parish. This record includes the full names of the child, parents and godparents, the child’s date of birth, the date of the baptism and the name of the officiating Priest. A Certificate of Baptism is issued by the Parish Priest on the day of the Baptism.
Requesting a Baptism Certificate
If you require a Baptism Certificate please print off and complete the form using the link below:
If you would like more information, please contact us.