Baptism
Baptism is the way out of the kingdom of death into life, the gateway to the Church, and the beginning of a lasting communion with God. Baptism is the foundational sacrament and the prerequisite for all other sacraments. It unites us with Jesus Christ, incorporates us into his redemptive death on the Cross, thereby freeing us from the power of original sin and all personal sins, and causes us to rise with him to a life without end. Since Baptism is a covenant with God, the individual must say Yes to it. In the baptism of children, the parents confess the faith on behalf of the children (YOUCAT 194).
Unbaptised adults entering the Roman Catholic Church would receive baptism with First Holy Communion and Confirmation through the RCIA catechises in the local parish, with a special formation program culminating with their reception into the Catholic Church at Easter. To enter the RCIA program, one needs to approach one of the priests or deacons at the parish.
For unbaptised children seeking baptism, special arrangements would be made incorporating it into their junior catechism. For infants, parents would make an appointment for an interview with one of the priests or deacons. This is followed by three sessions to help the parents understand the meaning of the sacrament.
Baptism is a community event when a person joins the family of God, hence baptisms are normally done at a Sunday Mass at St Paul’s Somerset West. Once the parents are prepared, the infant is then booked for a group baptism celebrated once every quarter. The dates for these in 2023 are: 28 May, 27 August, 26 November. Other arrangements may also be made in the other parish churches.