Our recent Baptisms Joshua Leo Larkin, Moat Commons.  Zoe Kate Ward, Ottomy Close.  Bailey Christopher Wilson-Barry, Bodenstown.  Ella Patricia Behan, Painstown.  Conor Brendan McGlynn, Firmount.  Culainn Malachy Corcoran, Clonwood Heights.  Sofia Mai Anna Byrnes, Firmount West.  Millie May Byrne, Brooklawns.  Congratulations to their parents and families.  Special thanks to the members of our Baptism teams for their ministry during the year.

Your baby's baptism is a time for celebration and joy.  And, naturally, you want the best for your baby.  We want to help you plan and prepare for the baptism in the best possible way.

Much to do
It's likely that at the moment you are concerned about he birth of your baby.  Either it's an event you are waiting for; or you are still recovering form it.  Before the baby arrives there is so much to think about; where will the baby sleep, baby's cothes, will the baby be completely healthy, perhaps even the prospect of twins?  Then, all of a sudden, there is chaos.  The baby finally arrives and their is no time to thin.  There is so much to get done.  Some people think of bptism simply as something else to "get done".  They speak of baptism as having the baby "done".  That's very sad.  For baptism is a birth into the Christian community and is in every way as solemen and important as birth itself.  It's an event that needs to be prepared for.

Your faith is important.
Your most important preparation is to look at your own faith.  Your baby will be born with your features and will pick up your mannerisms.  As he or she gets older your child wil grow up, too, with your faith.  That is why, when you approach the church about having your child baptised you will be encouraged to think through your own faith and the part it plays in your life.  The very fatct that you have asked to have your baby baptised shows that you recognise the importance of God in your life.  From the earliest days children too young to answer for themselves have been baptised, usually as they accompanied their parents into the Church.  For the church recognises the desire of Christian parents to share the life of Christ with their children.  Jesus Christ, like you, wants the best for your child.

Growing in God's Love
Your efforts iwll not only help your baby to grow up in the love of God: they will also help ou to grow.  As you tach your chid to pray you yourself will deepen your prayer; as you teach you child to appreciate the Mass your own fiath will be enriched.  Your bab's baptism is only the beginning of a new life in which you will grow closer to one another in the family and closer to God.  The Church welcomes your child into its midst with love and prayers for the future peace and happiness of your family in the years ahead

The signs and symbolism of Baptism

Sign of the Cross
A sign on something shows its orgins or ownershiop.  The sign of the cross is the mark of Christians for Jesus Chirst died on the cross.  parents and god-parents trace it on the child's forehead to show that the baby belongs to Christ, who now offers his help and grace to face and overcome the sufferings of life.

Water
This is for cleansing and is a sign that our sins are washed away.  Baptism cleanses us of original sin with which we are all born and, in the baptism of adults, of every sin committed prior to baptism.  Water is also necessary for life and so is a sign, too, that the life of the risen Christ is ours.

Oils
Oil of Baptism is olive oil rubbed on the breat of the baby, just as athletes used to rub themselves with oil to strengthen and prepare for the fight ahead.  Oil of Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam (sweet-smelling ointment) and is rubbed on the crown of the head.  It is a sign of sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  The profession of faith which you make on behalf of your child at baptism will later be confirmed personally by your child in the sacrament of confirmation when Oil of Chrism iwll be used again.  The oils are blessed by the bishop aroudn the time of Maundy (or Holy) Thursday.

White Garment
This garment (usually a new shawl) is a relic of the new clothes worn by Chritians after baptism in the first centuries.  It is a sign of innocence and the new life of resurrection.

Candles
These symbolise Christ - the Light of the World.  The baptismal candle is lit formt eh paschal candle, which stands near the altar at Easter as a sign of the risen Christ.  The baptismal candle reminds us that the light of Christ has entered the chld's life; and its flame symbolises the flame of faith which will burn through the life of your child.

Baptismal Register
Your baby's baptism will be recorded in the parish Baptismal Register.  In the years ahead proof of baptism may be obtained in form of a certificate issued on the basis of this registration.  Your child's confirmation, marriage or ordinatio will also be noted alongside this entry in the register.

Baptism
Hush little baby,
fear no harm.
Shawl of white
to keep you warm.
Shawl of white
as bright as snow,
like God's great love
who loves you so.

Hush little baby,
have no dread.
Soothing oil
upon your head.
We sign you
with a cross to show
God chose to love you long ago.

Hush little baby,
make no sound.
Your loved ones gather
all around.
Water sprinkling
now to show
God will always
help you grow.

Hush little baby,
have no fear.
The light of Christ
is drawing near.
This light will guide you every day
and lead you always in God's way.
By Christy Kenneally

O gracious God, who
so generously lavishes
our lives with
goodness, create in our
hearts a deep centre of
gratitude, a centre that
grows so strong in its
thanksgiving, that
sharing freely of our treasures becomes the norm and the pattern
of our existence.
Remind us often of
how much you cherish
us, of how abundantly
you have offered gifts
to us, especially in the
hours of our greatest
need.  May we always
be grateful for your reaching into our lives
with surprises of joy,
growth and unearned
love.
Amen
By Joyce Rupp OSM