“After Jesus was Baptised, He heard a voice from Heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son”(Mark 1:9-11).”
Baptism is the introduction of a person into the Church community. Through the waters of Baptism your child enters into the life of God – Father, Son and Spirit. Your child is dedicated to God and all that is good.
BAPTISM OF INFANTS
Infants are baptised at the request of their parents or the person who lawfully takes their place who wish to share their Catholic faith with their children. If you wish to have your baby or child baptised, please attend the Mass and introduce yourself to the priests afterwards. Father will provide you with an application form. The date requested for your child’s baptism (four weeks’ notice is helpful) will be confirmed once your form has been received and you will be contacted regarding a preparation session.
Parents and Godparents need to attend a Baptism preparation session before the Baptism of their child can take place. The session runs for approximately 40-60 mins. It will be necessary to arrange for a babysitter as it is not a suitable session to have children or a baby present.
BAPTISM OF OLDER CHILDREN
Before older children are baptised, they undergo a period of instruction in the Catholic faith appropriate to their level of understanding. This period will depend upon the understanding of the child.
GODPARENTS
Eligibility for godparents / sponsors (Canon Law 872-874):
Can. 872 Insofar as possible, a person to be baptised is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptised person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.
Can. 873 There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.
Can. 874 §1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:
1/ be designated by the one to be baptised, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;
2/ have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;
3/ be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;
4/ not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
5/ not be the father or mother of the one to be baptised.
§2. A baptised person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.
People normally receive Baptism in the Parish where they live. To see if you live within our Parish Boundaries, please open this file: HF MAROUBRA BOUNDARY
BAPTISM CEREMONY
Baptisms are celebrated every Sunday. The ceremony commences at the conclusion of the 9.30am Mass on Sundays – and usually takes about an hour – depending on the number of children being Baptised at the time.
Please provide a candle. If a hand decorated/personalised candle is required, ask the office for a contact (four weeks before the Baptism date is helpful).
The child / person to be baptised needs to be dressed in white.
BAPTISM OFFERING
There is no fee for a Baptism, however it is customary to give a donation to the priest. Please kindly provide an offering (stole fees) for the priest in an envelope (provided at the side entrance of the Church). This can be handed to him at the preparation session or at the Baptism. You can also use the SUPPORT US tab at the top of the page for a BPOINT Secure Payment Service (choose Baptism from drop down list). Thank you for your generosity.
BAPTISM CERTIFICATE
A Baptism certificate will be provided. Please keep this in a safe place, as it is needed for enrolment to Catholic schools and for future Sacraments – First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage and Holy Orders.
A register is kept of all Baptisms in the parish and a copy of the Baptism register can be obtained by contacting the office if needed.
