Baptism
The gateway to life in the Spirit and the door to the other sacraments
Baptism celebrates the love God has for each of us. Through its celebration, the Church welcomes a new member and affirms him or her as a child of God, a follower of Christ, a member of the Body of Christ, and a temple of the Holy Spirit.
The Meaning of Baptism
Beyond Baptism, the journey of faith is to become what we already are — daughters and sons of God, brothers and sisters in Christ. We make this journey in our daily lives, with the support of family and Church community.
When we celebrate Baptism, the whole community is called to welcome a new member. The celebration reminds us of the need to support one another in our journey of faith, and invites us to be active members of the Body of Christ — the Church.
The Role of Parents
The central role in passing on faith belongs to parents and guardians. They are the first role models of faith for their children. It is in the home that children learn and experience trust, love, faith, hope and commitment — the foundations on which their faith will grow.
The Role of Godparents
The presence of godparents within the rite of Baptism reminds parents that they are not alone. Their loving affection for the baptised child expresses the care of the whole Christian family. Godparents must be baptised and confirmed Catholics, normally sixteen years of age or older.
Baptism is the common starting point of all Christians. There is a fundamental equality between us all — old and young, rich and poor, men and women, native and stranger. All Christians are graced with the same dignity. The valid Baptism of non-Catholics is respected as much as Catholic Baptism — Baptism need never be repeated.
The Celebration of Baptism
The Rite of Baptism contains a beautiful sequence of movement, symbols and gestures. It usually begins at the door of the Church, proceeds inside to hear the Word of God, moves to the font, and concludes at the altar.
The Rite Step by Step
At the Ambo — Word of God
The community gathers to listen to the readings and pray together. The Word of God is an ongoing source of nourishment for all of us on our faith journey.
At the Font — Anointings & Baptism
The priest prays for the protection of the child, anoints them, and blesses the baptismal water. Parents, guardians and godparents profess their faith in Christ. The child is then baptised.
Accompanying Rites — Symbols & Actions
Each child is anointed with the perfumed oil of Chrism, clothed with a white garment, and their baptismal candle is lit from the Easter candle. The priest prays over the mouth and ears of each child that they may come to hear and proclaim the Gospel.
At the Altar — Final Blessing
All join in praying the Our Father, followed by blessings for the parents, guardians and all present. We pray for and look forward to the future celebrations of Confirmation and Eucharist.
Preparing for Baptism
Preparation is a key element of any significant celebration. When a child is presented for Baptism, the family will be invited to participate in a pre-baptism meeting. During this meeting, parents and guardians have an opportunity to hear about and discuss the meaning and practicalities of the ceremony.
Registration
Contact the Parish Office to arrange the preparation and celebration. The child's name will be entered in the baptismal register in the same form as in the civil register.
What to Bring
On the day of Baptism, bring a white shawl and your child's baptismal candle to the church. Keep this candle safe — it may be needed at First Communion and Confirmation.
Godparents
Must be baptised and confirmed Catholics, normally 16 years or older. Usually one male and one female. A baptised non-Catholic may act as a witness alongside a Catholic godparent.
Adult Baptism — RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process for adults who seek Baptism or full membership of the Church. This journey is marked by a series of rites that take place in the local parish and typically culminates with full initiation at the Easter Vigil.
If you are an adult interested in becoming Catholic, please contact the Parish Office.
A Family Prayer
Loving God, we ask your blessing on our family. Watch over us and guide us. Make our home a place of love and safety, a place of peace and joy, a place where we grow in faith together. Amen.
Arrange a Baptism
To book a Baptism or for further information, please contact the Parish Office. Give plenty of notice to allow time for preparation.
To arrange a Baptism, please contact the parish office or speak with one of the priests after Mass. A date and time will be agreed depending on the parish schedule.
On the day of Baptism, families usually bring a white garment for the child and a baptism candle. These symbols are part of the ceremony and represent the new life received through Christ.
Traditionally there are two godparents. While more people may take part in the celebration, only two names will be recorded in the parish register.
There is no fee for receiving any sacrament in the Church. However, a voluntary contribution to support the parish is always greatly appreciated.
At least one godparent must be a practicing Catholic who has received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, and who is able to support the child in their journey of faith.
Children are normally baptised during infancy. Parents are encouraged to arrange Baptism within the first months of the child’s life. However, older children can also be baptised, and the parish will be happy to guide families through the process.
Yes. Families who live outside the parish are welcome to request Baptism in our church. In some cases, you may be asked to provide a letter of permission from your local parish.
No. Baptism is the first of the Sacraments and the gateway to the Christian life. Through Baptism a person becomes a member of the Church. For this reason, Baptism is required before receiving other sacraments such as First Holy Communion or Confirmation.
Yes. Parents are normally asked to attend a short preparation meeting before the Baptism. These meetings usually take place on the last Monday of the month at 8:30pm in the Parish Centre.
The meeting is led by Fr Andrei Blaj, together with the parish sacramental preparation team, and helps parents understand the meaning of Baptism and how to prepare for the celebration.