Baptism is the first sacrament of welcome into the Christian community. In St. Joseph’s the ceremony begins at the door of the Church. Think of when people are welcomed into a home and a family. The priest spells out this significance when, at the door, he addresses the person by the newly chosen name and says ‘Mary (John or whatever) the Christian community welcomes you with great joy’. A whole richness of ceremony surrounds the sacrament. There is, for example, the reading of the Word of God, the anointings, the candle and white garment, the sign of one’s Christian dignity and the pouring of the water ‘in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit’.
“Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.” (Deus caritas est)
A welcome Mass will be held on the first Sunday of each month to welcome the new families.
Baptisms are held on the second Sunday of the month at 12.30pm
All parents must attend a pre-baptism course, please contact the parish office for details.
Please download the baptism application form below
Baptisms Lent