Baptism
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Arranging A Baptism
To arrange a Baptism in Caragh Parish please contact Caragh Parish Office on: (045) 875602 - Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm.
Baptisms in Caragh Parish take place the first Sunday of the month at 11am and the last Saturday of the month at 5.30pm.
One month’s notice is required.
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Baptismal Certificates
Baptismal Certificates can be obtained from the Parish Office. To facilitate us in our search for your Baptismal Certificate we need the following details as accurately as possible. Please give as much information as you can.
- First Names
- Family Name
- Father’s First Name and Family Name
- Mother’s First Name and Maiden Name
- Date of Birth
- Parish in which you were baptised
- Your full postal address.
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Baptismal Ministers
Baptism Ministers have been established in Caragh Parish for over twenty years. They welcome the child on behalf of the Parish.
Families are contacted by one of the ministers the week before their Baptism is due, to arrange a home visit, to help in the immediate preparation for Baptism.
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WHAT IS THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM?
Baptism is the sacrament that initiates a person into the Christian Community, making them children of God and members of the local parish. In it, we celebrate God’s love for us and are affirmed as followers of Christ.
The central role in passing on faith belongs to parents/guardians. It is they who will be the role models of faith for their children. It is in the home that children need to learn and experience trust, love, faith, hope, and commitment for their faith to grow.
The decision to baptise a child carries with it responsibilities that will last long after the celebration is over. Therefore a key question for parents is “Why do I want my child baptised?” Baptism is a sacrament, a graced moment in which we meet God, and the decision to celebrate the sacrament deserves careful consideration.
In the early days of the Christian Church, only adults were baptised. Eventually, the practice of infant Baptism grew up and we in Ireland are more familiar with this practice. In recent years, we have seen adults come forward asking for Baptism and there have been a number of adults baptised in our parish recently.In Baptism, God gives us the gift of new life. We become his sons and daughters and belong to Christ. The child/adult is anointed with oil as a sign of being strengthened and being chosen by God. The pouring of water over the person’s head reminds us of the cleansing and life-giving power of God’s love which is literally being poured out.
In requesting Baptism for their children, parents are accepting certain responsibilities concerning the faith formation of their children. Faith needs to be nurtured in order for it to grow; one way of doing this is to introduce the child to the regular practice of the faith.
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