2 February 2008

Baptism and Marriage.

Baptisms are on Sundays at one. Please give very good notice. Once you fill in the application form a member of our Baptism Team will be in touch. They will visit you in your home to help you prepare for this very special moment in your child's life. We are delighted to talk to adults who wish to become Catholics and we will facilitate you in every way.
For Marriages we ask again for very good notice, a very minimum of three months. New civil regulations came into force on November 5th. Please arrange a meeting with the Registrar in Shantalla (091-546216/546277). The office there at 25 Newcastle Road is open from 10:00 to 4:30, Monday to Friday. You must also book a Pre-Marriage Course. This can be done at the Galway Diocesan Pastoral Cenre, Arus de Brun, Newtownsmith (091-562331). A weekend course is available in Esker Retreat House near Athenry (091-844549). When you come to visit us we will give you a list of all the other particulars you need and tell you about the Pre-Nuptial Form you will fill in with us.
Points to Remember:
1. It's our great privilege to help and journey with you.
2. Remember that both Baptism and Catholic Marriage require a faith commitment. We are delighted to welcome you home if you've been away from the practice of the faith,but do think seriously about what you're doing if you are not open to the faith,willing to practice or just going through the motions to keep your parents, grandparents or whoever happy. We are not looking for picture postcard Catholics, just an open heart.
3. Please book us and come and talk to us BEFORE you book the hotel!
4. Civil Marriage Information can be had at www.groireland.ie
5. www.gettingmarried.ie is an excellent website.
6. The Cathedral Bookshop here in Galway has excellent resource material for Baptisms and Marriage. Also check out Knock Shrine Bookshop and Veritas on the web.