• Office Hours 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri)
  • ruislip@rcdow.org.uk
  • 73 Pembroke Road, Ruislip, HA4 8NN

baptism

The beginning of our life of faith

The sacrament in which—by pouring water upon a person, or immersing in water, and using the words “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”—the one baptised is:

  • cleansed of Original Sin and (in the case of one who has reached the age of reason) of actual sins
  • incorporated into Christ and made a member of His Body the Church
  • infused with the sanctifying grace and receives the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity.

If you do not live in the parish but wish to be baptised at The Most Sacred Heart, Ruislip, you must have a letter of permission from your own local parish priest, as well as permission from Fr James. Conversely, if you live in the parish but wish to be baptised outside of the parish, the same conditions apply and you will require a letter of permission from Fr. James.

BAPTISM REGISTRATION FORM

Please contact Fr. James if you would like to have a baptism in our church.  Once you have permission from Fr. James you will need to attend a baptism class, details below. At the class you will be given a baptism application form to fill in and the information submitted will be used to enter your baby’s details in the church register which is a permanent record of baptism. A Baptism certificate with the details from the register will be given to you on the day of the ceremony. Please see baptism available dates below.

BAPTISM BY AGE GROUP

BAPTISM OF INFANTS

Attendance at a baptism class, details below, is mandatory before a baptism can take place.

BAPTISM OF OLDER CHILDREN

  • Children presented for baptism or seeking baptism between the ages of 7 and 14 are regarded as children of catechetical age. They should be prepared for the sacrament following the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Children, part of the RCIA.
  • Children under the age of seven, presented for baptism by their parents, should be baptised following the usual preparation appropriate for infants but may need some simple instruction from Fr. James as to what will happen on the day.
  • Young people from the age of 14 should be prepared for the sacrament following the normal adult RCIA process.

BAPTISM OF ADULTS

The norm for adults seeking baptism is to follow the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults in our parish and to be baptised at the Easter Vigil when it is discerned they are ready, following the scrutinies of the RCIA.

BAPTISM PREPARATION COURSE

Parents of children to be baptised are expected to attend a Baptism preparation . The course is very relaxed. Non-Catholics are also most welcome and there are no exams or tests! It is also a perfect opportunity to meet other parents in the parish. Places are for those whose children are to be baptised in the parish only and places for attendees must be pre-booked via the Parish Office.

Dates of 2026 Baptism classes, all at 8pm in the coffee lounge

Sept 2nd
Oct 14th
Nov 11th
Dec 16th

GODPARENTS/SPONSORS

ACCORDING TO CANON LAW

Canon Law is the body of laws and regulations that govern the Catholic Church and all its members.

  • Can. 872: In so far as possible, a person to be baptised is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptised person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfil faithfully the obligations inherent in it.
  • Can. 873: One sponsor, male or female, is sufficient; but there may be two, one of each sex.
  • Can. 874 §1: To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person MUST:: be designated by the one to be baptised, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function
    have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;
  • be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken; not labour under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared;
  • not be the father or mother of the one to be baptised.

CAN WE HAVE NON-CATHOLIC GODPARENTS?

See the above requirements of Canon law regarding Godparents. A Godparent MUST be a Confirmed Catholic, who has received the Blessed Eucharist and who is a practising Catholic. You need at least ONE Catholic Godparent. Any other person of another religion will still play an important role in the life of your Child but is recognised and recorded in the Baptism Register and on the Baptism certificate as a Christian ‘Witness’ and not a Godparent.

FURTHER INFORMATION

BAPTISM AVAILABLE DATES
Most baptisms will be held on Saturdays at 12.30pm

Saturday Dates Available:

2026

September 5th, 12th

October 3rd, 10th, 24th, 31st

November 7th, 14th, 21st

December 5th, 12th, 19th

ON THE DAY OF THE BAPTISM

Please ensure that you are seated at least 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony. We provide a baptism candle for your child but you are also welcome to provide your own if you have a special one. The candle is lit from the Paschal (Easter) candle, symbolic of the light of Christ, to shine forth in the life of the baptised.

What the child should wear: It is important that you bring a white garment with you (a baby shawl or white blanket will suffice), which is placed over the child at the appropriate moment in the ceremony. The white garment symbolises that your Child has ‘put on Christ’. It is symbolic of new life in Christ, to be worn throughout our lives.

CHURCH OFFERING

It is customary to make an offering to the church on these occasions although there is no charge to receive a sacrament. A donation envelope will be available should you wish to make a contribution.