Baptism

What is Baptism?

Baptism is a special sacrament, and is about belonging in the family of God. It is a wonderful celebration where everyone has a role to play.  During the service parents thank God for His gift of life, and make the decision to start their child on a journey of faith. Godparents promise their help and support as they accompany the child on their faith journey. Our Parish of St John the Baptist celebrates with you as you introduce your child into the Christian family and hopes that you feel welcome and at home.   We hope it will be a rich and rewarding experience for all.

Baptism Information

Please contact the Parish Office with your enquiry. At least six weeks’ notice is required.  An application form can be downloaded from the parish website or collected from the parish office. This form includes dates of baptism, rite of welcome and Baptism preparation meetings which parents are required to attend.

 

Application for Baptism 2024_StJohntheBaptist

 

You can submit your completed baptism form below.

  1. Please download the Baptism Application Form PDF from the link above
  2. Complete all required details
  3. Go to File > Print and set destination to Save as PDF
  4. Attach the completed PDF to the request form below.

    The Rite of Baptism is ordinarily celebrated at 12:30pm on the Second Sunday of each Month (Feb-Dec) with the exception, this year (2020) of March, April & May, due to the Season of Lent, and to avoid the clash with Mothers’ Day. If a weekend Mass is regularly a part of your faith life, you may wish to have your child baptised within Mass: Sat. 6pm, Sun. 9am or Sun. 11am.

    Prior to the day of Baptism, our expectation is that parents will attend a preparation meeting and, with their child, participate in the Rite of Welcome at a weekend Mass. If your child is to be Baptised during a weekend Mass, then the Rite of Welcome will take place with the Baptism.  The preparation meetings will take place in our parish church at 7.30pm on a Wednesday evening.

    In preparation for the celebration of your child’s Baptism, please telephone the Parish Office (Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-3pm) on 9758 1029, to arrange a time to chat with a member of our Parish Baptismal Team.

    When your child is Baptised Catholic this means that they are becoming part of the whole world wide Catholic community. Prior to your child’s Baptism you will be required to attend a Rite of Welcome at one of our weekend Masses.  The rite of welcome is a time when your child meets our St John the Baptist community and our community gets to meet and welcome your child too. Your family may be invited to bring up the offertory gifts during our celebration of Mass.  You will be asked to sit in one of the front rows so that we can invite the parents and child up to the altar to tell the community what it is that they are asking of God’s church – Baptism.

    On your child’s Baptism day we request that you and your guests arrive at the Church about 10-15minutes early so that you can have time to greet each other and then be ready to start promptly on time for the Baptism. Please let our celebrant, Fr Thomas or Deacon Peter or our sacristan, Sue know you have arrived.

    It is customary that a donation be made to the parish for Baptisms and this can be paid directly into the St John’s account via our website or brought in a named envelope to the parish office prior to the day of Baptism.