At St. Mary’s there are approximately seventeen Faith Friends, who meet on the first Thursday of each month in our Parish Centre.

The family whose baby is for baptism makes the initial contact with the parish by advising the Priest of the Parish. Following this advice, a Faith Friend will be asked to pay the family a visit to help them prepare. A telephone call to the parents to arrange a mutually suitable appointment time is made, and a visit with both parents follows.

On meeting the new parents, the Baptism ceremony is explained, and the faith friend encourages the parents to ask questions they may have regarding any aspect of the ceremony.  A form is given to the parents for registration, and the information supplied on this when returned to the sacristy, is for the Baptismal Certificate, which is given to the parents on the day of the Christening.

Baptisms are performed every Sunday and on the last Saturday of every month.

On the day of the child’s christening chosen by the parents, the faith friend designated to each child is present in church to welcome the baby, parents, family and friends, and to assist in the preparation of all for the ceremony.

On any Baptismal Sunday the number of babies to be christened varies from just one to four, or even ten little souls.

Each year, usually in January on the feast of the Baptism of The Lord, we hold a special blessing ceremony for all the babies who were baptized during the past year.

For more information, contact:

Parish Centre
Phone: 01-6217041 - 9.30am to 2pm Mon, Tues, Wed and Friday

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Last Updated: April 2010