Arranging a Baptism

Baptisms in Our Lady's usually take place every Sunday at 12.30pm - but other arrangements can be made if required. To arrange a Baptism please contact Fr Pat, who will explain the preparations and sort out a date. The Bishop of Middlesbrough has written a letter, printed below, which helps to explain the meaning and importance of this special event. Dear Parents It is always a great joy for the Church when you present a child for Baptism. The Church takes Baptism very seriously, and wants the very best for your child and your family. Baptism is the beginning of a new Christian life, and opens the way to all the other sacraments, so parents are asked in the Baptismal Ceremony to promise that they will do their best to bring up their children in the knowledge and practice of the Faith. There are so many pressures on our lives today that perhaps we forget how important it is, not only for our own good, but also for the good of our children that we have the support and guidance of the Christian Community as we strive to fulfil the promises made at Baptism. The Church provides this support through its Sunday Mass and various other parish activities, and of course, through our schools. So I want to take this opportunity of your child's Baptism, to ask you to give some serious thought and consideration to your religious life and practice. I know very well that it isn't always easy to come to Mass on Sundays, or take an active part in the life of your local Parish, and no one expects the impossible, but without your presence, our parishes are deprived of the many qualities you can offer to help them grow and continue to serve the community. Your own religious Faith also suffers if you rarely nourish it by prayer and worship with the rest of the local Catholic people. It does you good, and it does us all good, to see our families joining in the Sunday celebrations, and playing their part in making our Church a living community of Faith and Love. Remember, the Church is at your service. We are here to support and assist you in any way we can. You are always welcome to call on your local Parish Priest if you wish to discuss anything with him. Whatever the circumstances of your life, the Church always wants to offer you her help in any way she can, so don't hesitate to ask. .... ..... And we look forward to seeing you at our Sunday worship and in our schools. God Bless, + John Bishop of Middlesbrough