OLI Parish

The statue of The Blessed Virgin Mary above the altar

"Being in the image of God the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone."
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Section 357

Baptism

Baptism is by arrangement and usually takes place at 12:30pm on Sunday. Occasionally, Baptism can be celebrated during one of the Sunday Masses.

There is a Baptism Course for parents, which is run on the 1st and 2nd Sunday of each month, between 10am and 11am. Couples are invited to attend this course, led by a group of catechists with the Parish Priest, before their child's baptism. Children are normally baptised in their own Parish. Parents who wish to have their baby baptised in another Parish should discuss this with their own Parish Priest as well as the Priest in the Parish where the baptism is to take place.

Below are a number of frequently asked questions :

How do I arrange a Baptism?

Parents should contact the Parish Office to discuss the Baptism and make arrangements. You will be sent confirmation of the date of Baptism by post along with details of the next Baptism Course.

How soon should I have my child baptised?

Children should be baptised within the first weeks after birth. You are very welcome to come and arrange a date for the Baptism before the child is born. The priest will then also be able to give the blessing for an expectant mother and pray for the safe delivery of the child.

How do I arrange a Baptism for older Child?

If children are over the age of five they will require some instruction before they can be baptised. Please contact the Parish Priest for details. Arrangements for Baptism can be made when the instruction is nearing completion

I am not married. Can my child be baptised?

Yes. A child may be baptised so long as there is a well-founded hope that they will be brought up in the practice of the Catholic faith. If you have any questions about marriage in the Catholic Church, please ask the priest because there are often misunderstandings in this area.

I do not live in the parish. Can I have my child baptised at Our Lady Immaculate?

Yes, if you regularly come to Mass here. If you are not coming to Mass, you need to decide which will be the Church you are going to start attending. It will usually be more appropriate (and more convenient) for you to start going to Mass at your local parish and to arrange the Baptism there.

How many Godparents should we have?

The Church's Canon Law states that there should be one or two Godparents. If there are two, they should be a Godfather and a Godmother.

Who can be Godparents?

Godparents should be Catholics over 16 years of age who themselves regularly come to Mass and have been confirmed.

What about non-Catholics?

Alongside the Catholic Godparent(s), a non-Catholic who is a baptised Christian may stand as a Christian witness, similar to a Godparent.

Neither I nor my spouse is Catholic. Can our child(ren) be baptised Catholics?

Only if one of the parents decides to become a Catholic themselves. This is a process which involves prayer, instruction and sharing in the life of the Catholic community over several months at least. The most appropriate conclusion to this process is for the family to be baptised together. Please ask the priest for further details.

Are there places in the Catholic school?

Catholic schools are often over-subscribed. Baptism alone will not be any guarantee of a place. First priority is always given to those who come regularly to Mass.

I had a child baptised but I never got a Baptism certificate. How can I get one?

Every parish keeps a Baptism register in its permanent archive. A certificate can always be provided for you by the parish where your child was Baptised.The easiest way to get one is to send a note to the Parish Priest. Give the child's full name, date of birth and date of baptism and enclose a stamped addressed envelope.

Can adults be baptised?

Yes. An adult will be baptised as part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

PLEASE NOTE :

If the name has changed, be sure to give both the present name and the name at the time of the baptism;
If you do not know the date of the Baptism, say roughly when it was, the year and, if possible, the month;
If the child was adopted, you will be referred to the Adopted Children's Register which is held by the Archdiocese. But the Parish Priest may give a brief note to affirm that the child was baptised, if this is necessary for an application to a Catholic school.