Registration
If you wish to have your child baptized, you must be registered in the parish. If you live outside the parish boundaries, you should approach your local Catholic church to request baptism, as that is where you will be connected as a family.
Application for baptism
If you are registered in the parish of Our Lady of Fatima, please contact the parish secretary to arrange to meet with the parish priest.
Preparation for baptism
Both parents must meet with the parish priest for a discussion about the nature and purpose of the Sacrament of Baptism. Ordinarily, he would then refer you to a couple who will accompany you for a couple of sessions on the journey of preparation, however, due to the pandemic, you will receive online material to complete at home to prepare.
Godparents
Godparents (sponsors) together with the parents present the child for baptism, profess the Christian faith, and assist the parents in their responsibility to raise the child in the practice of the faith.
"In so far as possible, a person being baptized is to be assigned a sponsor… In the case of an infant baptism, the role is together with the parents to present the child for baptism, and to help it to live a Christian life befitting the baptized and faithfully to fulfil the duties inherent in baptism." (Can. 872).
"One sponsor, male or female, is sufficient; but there may be two, one of each sex" (Can 873).
To be a sponsor or godparent, a person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it, be not less than sixteen years of age, be a catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and lives a life of faith which befits the role of godparent/sponsor and not be the father or mother of the person to be baptized. (Cf. Can 874).
"A baptized person who belongs to a non-catholic ecclesial communion may be admitted only in company with a Catholic sponsor, and then simply as a witness to the baptism" (Can 874).
Dates of celebrations
Baptisms are usually celebrated at 10.45 a.m. on the second Sunday of the month. There are no baptisms in Lent. Please don’t make any plans for celebrations before agreeing on a date with the parish priest.
Continue to Journey
Baptism is the beginning of your child's journey with the faith community. Since you chose Baptism for your child, it is up to you to accompany your child and help him or her to grow in faith. Come to Mass regularly.