Baptism

Celebrating the Baptism of your Child at St Anne’s Parish, Fairfield

Welcomed in the Waters of Baptism:

We are always delighted to welcome a new member into our parish community.  

For children under the age of 7, their parents and godparents make the profession of faith on their behalf. At least one of the parents must therefore be a Roman Catholic. When you ask for Baptism for your child, you make a solemn promise before God to raise your child in the practice of the Catholic faith. This means teaching them to love God and neighbour as well as bringing them to Mass regularly, so that they can become living members of the Christian community they enter through Baptism.

A child being baptised must have a practising Roman Catholic godparent over the age of 16. Other Christians may stand as Christian witnesses but must have been baptised themselves because they also must make the profession of faith.

Baptism is the beginning of the whole Christian life. We become members of Christ and members of Christ’s Church. It is a wonderful celebration in which everyone as a special part to play. This is especially true for parents and godparents. For babies and young children parents are the first teachers in the faith and godparents promise to support them in their duty as Christian parents.

When is the Sacrament of Baptism celebrated?

Your child’s Baptism will be arranged with the Parish Priest depending on your preference and available dates. Baptism is normally celebrated on Sunday, the Lord’s Day, either during Mass or shortly after the morning Mass.

Attending Sunday Mass

There is an expectation in the Diocese of Salford that parents (and children) should attend Mass on Sunday morning or Saturday evening for at least six weeks before any arrangements are made for a child’s Baptism.

Please Note

A child should normally be baptised in the parish where you live. If you regularly attend St Anne’s church but live outside our parish boundary, you must contact your parish priest to obtain his permission for the Baptism to take place here.

It is customary to make an offering to the church after a baptism. This is not retained by the priest personally but goes towards the upkeep of the parish. This is an offering and is never insisted upon, as we do not “pay” for sacraments. No-one is ever refused the sacraments because of a difficulty in making an offering.