Baptism/Baiste

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church, Par 1213

Infant Baptism

Congratulations on the birth of your new baby! Please contact the Parish Office at
066 9151208 to make the necessary arrangements to have your child united to Christ and welcomed into the Catholic Church through baptism.

Baptism Times

The baptism times in our three parish churches are as follows:

  • St Mary’s, Dingle – Saturday at 11am and Sunday  at 12.15pm (after 11.30am Mass).
  • N. Eoin Baiste, Lios Póil – Sundays at 10.45am (after 10am Mass)
  • N. Caitlín, Fionn Trá – Saturdays at 5.30pm (before 6.15pm Mass)

The above days and times are the normal days of Baptism, however, other days may be arranged by contacting the parish office.

Baptisms in Fionn Trá are celebrated in Irish; those in Dingle and Lios Póil can be celebrated in either language.
Those attending Sunday baptisms are warmly invited to attend the Sunday Mass prior to the Baptism.

Before the Baptism

Having arranged the time of the baptism, you will receive a form from the Parish Office which gathers all the information required for our Baptismal Register.  It should be returned to the office along with the customary offering before the Baptism, along with a photocopy of the child’s baptismal certificate.
First-time parents will need to meet with one of the parish clergy before the baptism for a pre-baptismal preparation talk.  This is normally arranged when the baptism is booked.

Candidates Living Outside the Parish

If the child being baptised normally lives in another the parish, we will require a letter from the clergy of that parish giving permission for the child to be baptised everywhere and confirming that the parents of the child have gone through the normal pre-baptismal preparation.

Godparents

The decision about who should be asked to ‘stand’ as Godfather and Godmother for your baby is an important one.  Their main duty is to support the child’s life of faith and they will have to make promises to that effect during the baptismal ceremony.  They should therefore be practising Catholics and at least sixteen years of age.  The parents may chose one baptised, but non-Catholic sponsor to ‘stand’ for their child, provided that the other godparent is Catholic.

Resources

Adult Baptism/RCIA

Adults interested in baptism or considering conversion to the Catholic Faith are invited to contact the Parish Clergy in full confidence.