THE  SACRAMENT  OF  BAPTISM    

PLEASE  READ  CAREFULLY  BEFORE  COMPLETING  THE  APPLICATION:    Many  thanks  indeed  for  seeking  the  sacrament  of  Baptism  for  your  child.  It  is  right  for  parents  to  make  choices   for   their  children.  Parents  choose   food,  clothes,  schooling,  and  healthcare  among  many  other  things  for  their  children.  Parents  hand  down  to  their  children  traditions  and  customs  so  that  they  can  flourish  and  mature  into  society.  It  is  right  and  just  that  parents  hand  down  to  their  children  the  great  gift  they  have  –  the  gift  of  the  Catholic  Faith  and  its  culture.  Well  done  for  choosing  to  do  this.    Baptism  is  the  first  step  of  a  life  of  Grace.  It  means  living  in  this  world  but  not  belonging  to  it.  It  means   seeing  and   feeling  what   those  around  us   see   and   feel  but  being  able   to   see  beyond   the  horizon  of  life  and  appreciate  the  presence  of  our  loving  God  in  all  that  goes  around  us.  It  means  living  firmly  grounded  in  our  society  but  with  our  minds  lifted  to  heaven  –  to  the  dignity  offered  to  us  by  God  –  that  of  being  his  children.  Baptism  is  the  moment  of  “adoption”,  we  truly  become  sons   and  daughters   of   God,   brothers   and   sisters   of   the   Lord   Jesus   Christ   and  members   of   our  truly  wonderful  and  holy  family  –  the  One,  Holy,  Catholic  and  Apostolic  Church.  

 By   choosing  Baptism  you   take   it  upon  yourselves   to   share   with   your   child  God’s   love,   teaching   her/him   the  principles   of   life   that   we   find   in   the  bible,   bringing   them   to   Church,  teaching   them   to   pray,   handing   over  to   them   what   we   are   about.   In   this  process  we  are  not  only  teachers  but  also  learners.  We  learn  as  we  seek  to  teach   and   we   learn   from   what   our  children   tell   us   and   share   with   us.  This   is   truly  a  wonderful  dignity  and  joy   that   God   shares   with   you   and  your  child.    When   it   is   time,   bring   your   child   to  

receive   the   First  Holy   Communion   and  later   on   the   sacrament   of   Confirmation.  Words   help   us   to   teach,   but   the   real   teacher   is   your  example;  and  you  have  started  already.    We  are  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  Most  Holy  Trinity:  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Spirit.  Baptism  leads  us  directly  to  live  in  the  intimacy  of  God!  When  baptism  happens  to  a  child,  this  intimate  life  is  communicated  through  the  parents,  through  you.  The  priest  and  the  Church  community  are  here  to  help  and  support  you,  but  never  to  do  it  for  you.  That  is  your  right  and  duty.  A  right  and  duty  that  no  one  on  earth  has  the  right  to  take  off  your  hands.    So  as  we  prepare  for  this  Sacrament,  keep  praying,  learn  more  about  it,  but  above  all  else,  keep  smiling  as  God  really  loves  you.    Fr Ivan

Fr  Ivan  Aquilina  E:  ivanaquilina@rcaos.org.uk      T:  01959563226  

Please  detach  this  part  and  return  it  to  Fr  Ivan  as  soon  as  possible.  

The  Catholic  Churches  of    Biggin  Hill  and    Westerham  

 Application  for  Baptism  of  a  Child  

   Name:  _______________________________________________              Date  of  Birth:  _______________________    Suggested  day  of  Baptism:  __________________________________    Father’s  Name:      _______________________________        Mother’s  Name:    __________________________    Mother’s  Maiden  Name:  ________________________________    Address:  _______________________________________________________________________________________    __________________________________________________________________________________________________      Telephone:  _______________________________________    Mobile:  ___________________________________    E-­‐mail:  ______________________________________________________________________    Parents’  Church  of  Marriage  and  date:  ______________________________________________________    Godfather:  _____________________________________    Godmother:  _________________________________    (According  to  Canon  Law  both  Godparents  have  to  be  baptized  and  confirmed  Catholics)  We  are  asking  for  our  child  to  be  baptized  and  we  shall  promise  to  continue  to  live  our  Catholic  Faith.  We  see  in  our  child  a  precious  gift  from  God  and  we  will  do  our  utmost  to  bring  our  child  up  in  the  joy  of  the  Catholic  Faith  by  our  own  example,  support  and  encouragement.  We  shall  introduce  our  child  to  the  life  of  prayer,  the  Sacraments  and  especially  by  participating  in  Sunday  Mass.    Signature  of  Parents:    _______________________________        Date:      __________________                                                                                    _______________________________                                  __________________      

 I  give  my  consent  and  permission  for  the  Catholic  churches  of  Biggin  Hill  and  Westerham  to  securely  store  and  use  my  personal  information  for  the  furtherance  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  in  these  parishes,  and  in  connection  with  the  normal  day  to  day  running  of  the  parish.  These  

personal  details  entrusted  to  the  Diocese  will  not  be  used  for  any  other  purpose  and  will  not  be  given  to  any  other  party,  body  or  organisation  without  consent.    

 I  give  consent  for  photographs  of  myself  to  be  taken  and  published  on  the  website  or  newsletter.