The birth of your child is an occasion of great joy for you and your family. Our church community shares this joy as you present you child for baptism.

You desire the best for your child and that means beginning to share your faith in a wonderful and unique way. As parents, God wants to entrust to your care your child's unique gift of faith in this sacrament. It is like the precious mustard seed, which through your careful guidance and love over the years, will grow into the magnificent tree which Jesus calls the Kingdom of God and the promise of eternal life. Through baptism your child will become a child of God in Christ. Baptism is also the first sacrament of initiation into the community of faith and the life and mission of the Church.

Collect a yellow Baptism leaflet from the back of church and fill in as much of the Registration form as possible and return it to No. 3 Windhill. If you live in another parish you will need to bring a letter of permission from your actual Parish Priest.

All baptisms must be preceded by preparation. Therefore before any dates can be arranged or confirmed the Diocese asks that you simply attend two required baptism classes. At St Joseph's we combine the two classes into one pre arranged Saturday afternoon, held about once every two months, from 2.00pm until 4.30pm.

Once your Registration form has been submitted our baptism coordinator will contact you about the next available course where you will have the chance to meet other parents from the parish.

To help you to plan an early baptism for your baby and to book the best possible date, don't put things off! In order to avoid disappointment it's much better to do all the preparation before the birth of your baby, especially if any relatives have to come from abroad.

Baptism takes place on Sundays at 12.30 p.m., but not during Advent or Lent.

Your child's name is unique and careful thought goes into choosing it, but of course the name should have a Christian sentiment. It goes without saying that the best names to choose from are those of the saints. It means that we have a patron (a friend in heaven) praying for us.

The role of Godparents is a very serious one. They will help you nurture the seed of faith in your child and help you see that they are brought up in the practice of the faith.

Therefore they must be people who are able to be role models for your child in the living out of the faith. Godparents are very welcome to attend the preparation class. One or two Godparents is sufficient. If there are two one should be male and the other female. The Godparents should be practicing Catholics who have been confirmed.

It is customary to make an offering to the Church on these occasions. As a guide the amount should be in proportion to the other expenses involved in the baptism and is for the support of the church.