served by the Assumptionist Fathers (AA)
|
|
Our Lady Immaculate & St Andrew | ||
| Roman Catholic Church, Hitchin served by the Assumptionist Fathers (AA) |
|||
|
Pastoral Office: |
Baptism at Our Lady Immaculate & St Andrew
Since the Sacrament is the entry into the
local Catholic Christian Community our first priority is to the people
of God who live and reside in Hitchin and the surrounding villages and
who worship at our Church on a regular basis. There is a form to apply
to join the Course, available from the Parish Office.
We welcome those people who come from other
parishes, who are willing to commit themselves to becoming part of our
Community and who have spent six months or so getting to know us and become
involved with us. A written letter of consent from the Parish Priest of
the home Parish is required before admission to our Baptism Preparation
Programme. A form to request this step is available from the Parish Office.
The Programme runs two or three times a year, depending on numbers.
The course lasts for three/four Sessions, lasting
roughly 90 minutes each Session. The days and times are announced in the
Newsletter.
The Course is presented in accordance with the present Diocesan Policy and leads up to the celebration of the Child's Baptism within a Sunday Mass or at another time, according to
pastoral or family needs or wishes.
The Course will provide an opportunity to: Reflect on your own Faith experiences;
Discuss how this will affect your experiences as a parent; Meet other parents and share ideas, worries and concerns; Find support and encouragement for those in a similar situation; Explore the Sacrament of Baptism and the meaning behind the Rituals and the Ceremony; Link the Sacrament to REAL LIFE. At the last Session, a form requesting the Sacrament is issued for further reflection and then, when the parents are ready, an appointment is made with one of the Priests to discuss any issues which might arise, look at the ceremony and then decide about a date. God Parents: MUST BE BAPTISED, CONFIRMED AND PRACTISING MEMBERS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, WHO ARE IN REGULAR CONTACT WITH THE CHILD, AS THEY ARE
THE PEOPLE WHO ACCOMPANY THE YOUNG PERSON FOR RECONCILIATION, EUCHARIST AND CONFIRMATION. Their role is a long term commitment: 15 - 18 years, with involvement in the preparation for
the other Sacraments : Reconciliation and Communion, as already mentioned.
It is possible to have Witnesses to the fact that the Baptism has taken place, who are not members of the Catholic Church, but who should be regular
attenders at the Church of their tradition and who are again in regular contact with the child as it grows up, sharing the values and ideals of that Christian denomination.
Baptism is the key to membership of the Church, parents continue to share their Faith and live it with their family, leading to the other Sacraments
of Initiation to full Membership: Confirmation and Eucharist, with preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation included, at the appropriate ages.
The child imbibes the values and example of the parents: so regular sharing in the Community Masses, praying with the child and talking about God are
essential parts of its ongoing religious development.
A Baptismal Certificate is one of the requirements for admission to our School: Our Lady RC Primary School, Old Hale Way; 01462 - 622555.
The Baptism Certificate for the Catholic parent will need to be seen, before any arrangements are made. If both parents are Catholic, only one Certificate need
be produced.
|
|
|
 |
|||