baptism Advice

tonyheaney

I have two children one girl 4 and a boy 1. Im Irish and RC by birth but don't follow but i want to baptis my children. My wife is Chinese and has no religious vies.

what do we need to do to get the ball rolling? what do we pay?

any help would be greatly accepted

Onesimus

You need to make an appointment with your parish priest and take it from there.

God bless
Onesimus

martinedwards

if you don't follow, and your wife has no interest, then why?

it won't make any difference to the children, and it means nothing to you.

this devalues baptism for those who DO believe.

Gumbi

"RC by birth". Does that actually mean anything?

doctoremma

martinedwards wrote: »

if you don't follow, and your wife has no interest, then why?

it won't make any difference to the children, and it means nothing to you.

this devalues baptism for those who DO believe.

In principle, I completely agree. But while it may not be such a problem here in the UK, I understand that, in Ireland, things like schooling can be difficult without a baptism?

Run_to_da_hills

Let the kids grow up and let them decide for themselves whether they want to be Christian and follow on the procedures of getting baptised or not.

No point of getting them involved in something that they have no choice in the matter.

tonyheaney

martinedwards wrote: »

if you don't follow, and your wife has no interest, then why?

it won't make any difference to the children, and it means nothing to you.

this devalues baptism for those who DO believe.

1. I believe in my own way and i feel i do not have to do it in a church
2. As im Irish many schools are religious Not all (but my daughter is starting in a religious school)
3. This school wants the children to be baptized, do communion and confirmation, there is no devaluation of the practice unless your totally devout and against human right to live which is that basic core of religion,

tonyheaney

yes it means i was born in to RC but follow the religion in my own personal way

tonyheaney

doctoremma wrote: »

In principle, I completely agree. But while it may not be such a problem here in the UK, I understand that, in Ireland, things like schooling can be difficult without a baptism?

Correct, even though Ireland was ruled by the British we freed our selves of the shackles of British rule only to be given new shackles from the church, we are still some what shackled by the church in many cases. This is not to insult anyone British just a historical view

tonyheaney

in Ireland, things like schooling can be difficult without a baptism?

tonyheaney

Also what is the difference between baptism & christening?

and is there a fee for either?

georgieporgy

tonyheaney wrote: »

Also what is the difference between baptism & christening?

and is there a fee for either?

baptism/christening same thing. No fee involved though it's customary to make a donation according to your means.
Do what Onesemus advised. call your local priest ( or some priest you may know personally) and tell him what you want and why you want it.
You may as well tell him the truth and don't worry, he won't bite your head off. It would be better if both you and your wife went along together.

This link may have useful info for you
http://www.catholicireland.net/pages/index.php?nd=85

tonyheaney

will it post a problem to the priest if my daughter is 4? and my son is 1?
what is the difference between a public and privet one?

georgieporgy

tonyheaney wrote: »

will it post a problem to the priest if my daughter is 4? and my son is 1?
what is the difference between a public and privet one?

Age is not an issue. A public baptism is done during Mass , usually at Easter when adult converts are publically welcomed so to speak.

But most baptisms are private affairs just involving family and friends like a wedding. You don't need to invite anybody if you want a minimum of fuss.
different parish churches may have rules like baptisms only on saturdays etc. Keep in mind they have other things to do as well. Usually you (the parent/s) will be asked to attend a pre baptism class.

If you have time and want to read more try this
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a1.htm

homer911

tonyheaney wrote: »

yes it means i was born in to RC but follow the religion in my own personal way

i love it when people say things like this...:rolleyes:

georgieporgy

homer911 wrote: »

i love it when people say things like this...:rolleyes:

most people are born sinners and try to become saints before they die.:)

eg Paul - Damascus etc

homer911

Fixed it for you there...

georgieporgy wrote: »

most all people are born sinners and try to by the grace of God become saints before they die.:)

eg Paul - Damascus etc

Gumbi

Why don't you wait for your children to grow up and make the choice for themselves? It sounds to me as if you are choosing your children's religion for them.

georgieporgy

Gumbi wrote: »

Why don't you wait for your children to grow up and make the choice for themselves? It sounds to me as if you are choosing your children's religion for them.

Would you force your children to go to a school of your choice when they are age 4/5 or do you advocate waiting till they are 18 and let them decide for themselves if they want to go to school?

Religious people generally bring up their children in their own religion. Irreligious people generally bring up their children with their irreligious beliefs.

Christians tend to follow the request of Jesus "suffer the little children to come unto me" and "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble."

georgieporgy

homer911 wrote: »

Fixed it for you there...

inally Posted by georgieporgy most all people are born sinners and try to by the grace of God become saints before they die.

eg Paul - Damascus etc

did you really mean to say all people become saints before they die? or would you like to tweek the correction a bit more?;);)

tonyheaney

im sorry what do you mean by that? if i chooses not to attend church that that is my choice. Do you have an issue with my choice?

Onesimus

tonyheaney wrote: »

im sorry what do you mean by that? if i chooses not to attend church that that is my choice. Do you have an issue with my choice?

Tony, never mind this forum. You are not going to get people who will address your original question, just comments that are largely unhelpful and very fundamentalist if you ask me.

Just go to your local parish priest. Explain to him what you told us in your OP and let him deal with it for you. Priests aint going to bite your head off, and you will get a great welcome from them I'm sure.

God bless you and take care. Don't allow yourself to get riled up here on these forums. Cant be too good for anyones health right? :cool:

pwurple

Tony, there are a few athiest posters, who for some weird reason patrol the christianty forum, ready to throw potshots at anyone asking a religious question instead of being helpful.

There is nothing wrong with practicing in your own way, and getting around to baptism in your own time. Your local parish priest will help you out. Baptism/Christening is a lovely family ceremony. Enjoy!

MadsL

doctoremma wrote: »

In principle, I completely agree. But while it may not be such a problem here in the UK, I understand that, in Ireland, things like schooling can be difficult without a baptism?

My daughter now 15 has attended Educate Together, then Irish speaking National Primary, now Irish Speaking National School. She was never baptised and it was never a fuss that she did homework or read whilst others were wasting school time practising liturgy.

I figure I make up for her though, having been baptised twice.

If you are not really of any religious faith, the school cannot force anyone to be baptised, as much as they want them to.

What else is 'difficult' about not having a baptism certificate as far as schools are concerned?

Splendour

tonyheaney wrote: »

yes it means i was born in to RC but follow the religion in my own personal way

Do you realise when you have a child baptised you promise to bring that child up in the Catholic faith? Is this something you are willing to take on? This will mean bringing your children to mass every sunday (and some holy days) and confession. It is a big commitment.

eyescreamcone

One of the beliefs of the RCC is that ALL children are born with Original Sin.
If you believe this nonsense you should get your children "cleansed" through baptism.

It is my belief that this original sin/ baptism belief/ritual is a recruitment tool, used to boost numbers.
Very effective over the years it has been too.

tonyheaney

againj because in ireland it is tied to the school system

homer911

georgieporgy wrote: »

did you really mean to say all people become saints before they die? or would you like to tweek the correction a bit more?;);)

Of course not. The Bible tells us that Christians are saints, by the grace of God

homer911

eyescreamcone wrote: »

One of the beliefs of the RCC is that ALL children are born with Original Sin.
If you believe this nonsense you should get your children "cleansed" through baptism.

It is my belief that this original sin/ baptism belief/ritual is a recruitment tool, used to boost numbers.
Very effective over the years it has been too.

Baptism doesn't make anyone clean, nor does it "make them" a Christian.

Christianity is not something that can be foisted upon you against your will

tonyheaney

what is your definition of Catholic faith, I don't attend church but for many reasons, if i choose to go it will because i want to go, i celebrate god in my own way i question him in my own way

eyescreamcone

homer911 wrote: »

Baptism doesn't make anyone clean, nor does it "make them" a Christian.

Christianity is not something that can be foisted upon you against your will

Does baptism not "cleanse" children of original sin??
(In my opinion it only is good for washing your hair)

In my opinion christianity IS FOISTED on the vast majority of the Irish population before they reach the age of reason.
Very few come to christianity after the age of 18.

tonyheaney

I take it your not a believer? You believe your argument is let people choose for them selves to believe in god or not? why not let people here decide when they want to beleve like i let you believe not to believe.

PDN

I think the OP has received the answer he was looking for.