BAPTISM

Congratulations on the birth of your child. By reading this it must mean that you are thinking of having them baptized?

What is Baptism?

‘Baptism’ is a Greek word which means to submerge. In this case it means to plunge in to water. By water and the Holy Spirit your child will die in the waters of baptism and receive new life. They become a new creation as a child of God. In this way they join with all the other people who have been baptized and form a people known as the Church. The word ‘Christening’ refers to the anointing that takes place after Baptism.

Consent

Jesus called and invited people to follow him. By these words of His being written down (the gospels) and through the community of followers (the church) this invitation to follow Him  is heard by you. Jesus never forced anyone (even though He was God) He invited and then allowed for a choice to be made. He asked the Church to do the same…

‘Go therefore…. Make disciples… baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’

Notice, he asks the Church then, to make disciples. Baptism comes after (not first) and is only given to disciples! To those who choose to follow Him.

Your child does not make that choice. They don’t know who Jesus is, they have not chosen to be a follower. That responsibility rests with you and the God parents…..
The Church baptizes the children of followers  (disciples) only if they promise before God to raise their child to follow Jesus in the Holy Catholic Church. By bringing them to Mass every week, by teaching them about Jesus and the Church, by following His teaching and through a life of prayer and service. The Godparents assist the parents of the child in this task. Therefore it is necessary for at least one parent to be a Catholic and for the *Godparents to be Catholic. After all they will be stating in Church that they believe the Catholic faith (not an individual’s version of it, but as the Church teaches it) It would be wrong to ask someone who does not believe or who belongs to another Christian tradition or religion or someone who has no faith in God to say that they do.

Some things to think and talk about….

At this point it is not about the faith of your child, but rather YOUR faith...

Do you accept the meaning and obligations of Baptism?

Do you know Jesus personally? And have you chosen to follow Him? And do you practise your Catholic faith?

Why do I want to have my child baptized?

How do I tell others about Jesus? How will I fulfil my promise to tell my child about Him?

Next steps….

You will need to come to Church, to introduce yourself in person to the Priest and to ask for Baptism. Mass times are 6pm (Sat) and 9.15am and 11am (Sun).

You will need to belong to the Church that you want your child to belong to.**

You will need to attend a session, either with the Priest or a Catechist (teacher of the faith) They will fill out a form with you and may arrange a date for the Baptism.

*Proof/evidence of baptism is required.
** You must reside within the parish boundaries to have your child Baptised at Our Lady of the Angels.  The Parish of Our Lady of the Angels covers Nuneaton town centre and the surrounding areas of Caldecote, Weddington, St. Nicolas Park, Horeston Grange, Whitestone, Attleborough, Chilvers Coton and Stockingford. If you have any questions please contact the parish office.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
These classes take place, in the parish Hall Lounge, from November every Tuesday from 4pm to 5pm for children who do NOT attend Catholic Schools . You MUST reside within the parish boundaries for your child to attend these classes (if in doubt please contact the parish office by email for clarification). Here they are given instruction for their First confession and First Holy Communion. These children are also invited to attend a retreat day with Our Lady and St Joseph's school before they receive their Sacrament. These classes are taken by Jane Goodyear and Christine Scullion.

CONFIRMATION
These classes take place every Wednesday from January, in the parish Hall Lounge, for children who do NOT attend Catholic schools. You MUST reside within the parish boundaries for your child to attend these classes (if in doubt please contact the parish office by email for clarification). Here they receive instruction on Confirmation and are given the opportunity to attend a retreat day with Our Lady and St Joseph's school. These classes are taken by Jane Goodyear and Carol Wright.