Baptism

Dear Parents,

Thank you for your inquiry and for your decision to baptise your child in the Catholic faith. We are delighted that you would like your child to be part of St Brigid’s Catholic community and are excited to be with you on this journey.

The Parish of St Brigid’s aims to be a community of hope, providing spiritual nourishment to all. We trust that you will be given help and support from this community on your journey of life and faith.

Baptism is the first step of initiation into the Catholic Church and it celebrates the entry of your child into the Christian Community in the hope that they will be supported and nourished in their faith development as well as becoming an active member of the church. Our parish therefore does not wish parents to take this step lightly or without awareness of the commitment they are undertaking.

For this reason we seek to help you prepare for the baptism of your child. We would like to ensure, that you know what this commitment involves.

BAPTISM IS THE BEGINNING OF A JOURNEY, AND IT REQUIRES PREPARATION

Baptism Preparation: To allow time for preparation the “Request for Baptism” should be made at least four weeks before the preferred date. Dates for the following three steps will be confirmed with you once the forms in full have been submitted at your coordinators meeting.

Preparation Session: During this session, we discuss the role of a Christian parent, the importance of Baptism and the part that the Catholic community plays in the faith formation of your child. It is desirable that both parents attend and where possible the Godparents. We acknowledge that there are parents who are of different faiths; we support you as you help your child and we again encourage you to attend with your partner.

Where and When: The baptism preparation sessions are held once a month:

Presentation & Welcome: Parents, before the day of baptism, you are invited to present your child during Mass to the faith community as a candidate for baptism. It is at this special ceremony that the Parish Community of St Brigid’s will welcome and pray for your child as the day of Baptism draws near. We ask you to inform us of your choice at your time of meeting with the baptism co-ordinator.

Baptism: A booking for baptism will be confirmed with you by the coordinator once all forms have been submitted and the enrolment has been finalised.

Baptism within Mass: Baptism is available within any of the weekend masses. Please contact the coordinator to discuss this option.

Offering: As a Sacrament of the Church, no charge is made for the celebration of Baptism. However, it is considered appropriate to present the parish an offering. $60.00 is customary. This helps to support the life and work of the parish and costs incurred in the preparation for the Baptism of your child. The offering is presentable to the parish at the time of registration with the baptism coordinator.

Request for the Baptism of an infant: Both parents need to complete in full and sign a form. Please supply and attach the following; either parent’s Catholic baptism certificate (one only required), each godparent’s baptismal certificate and your child’s birth Certificate.

PLEASE NOTE:

Someone who is not baptised cannot act as a godparent or Christian witness.

For this reason we ask that you supply evidence of the godparents’ and Christian witness baptism.

For Further information or to request a registration pack for baptism,

contact the Baptism Coordinator

Phone: 02 6882 4233

Office Hours: Monday and Thursday 8.45am – 2.45pm

Email: baptism.dubbo@cdob.org.au

To help you prepare for your child’s baptism, we have provided answers to some frequently asked questions. If there is something you are unsure of, please don’t hesitate to contact the parish office on 02 6882 4233

How do I register my child for the sacrament of Baptism?

We need you to complete some forms in order to register your child for the sacrament of Baptism. Forms are available to collect from the parish office. Once the forms have been completed and you have attached the necessary documents, please phone the Parish office (02) 6882 4233 to book a meeting with the Baptism Coordinator.

To allow time for preparation the request for baptism should be made at least four weeks before the preferred date.

Where is the parish office located?

The parish office is located next to St Brigid’s Church at 198 Brisbane St Dubbo. The parish office is open from 9.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and closed for lunch between 1-2pm.

The baptism Coordinators hours are Mon & Thurs 8.45am-2.45pm

When can we have our child baptised?

The Catholic Parish of St Brigid’s celebrates the Sacrament of Baptism at St Brigid’s Church most weekends. We only have a small number of families each time in order to help make this a more personal ceremony, available dates are issued at the time of meeting with the baptism coordinator and a date for Baptism confirmed.

What are the rules for choosing Godparents?

The role of the godparents is to represent the Church community in presenting your child for baptism, and to act as a supporter for you, the parents, in your role of nurturing your child’s growth in faith.

Baptism is the beginning of a lifetime journey in faith as a disciple. The godparents are people whom you believe can support your child in that journey of faith.

* Each child must have a Catholic Godparent who is over the age of 16 and has received the three sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist), and is actively practicing their faith. Their role is to join you in presenting your child for baptism and to help your child live their faith in the Catholic community.

* Normally there are two Catholic Godparents (a Godfather & Godmother) however; it is also possible to have other people associated with the godparent role who are members of other Christian Churches. In formal terms they are referred to as Christian Witnesses; however their role is essentially the same as that of the Catholic godparent – to support your child in their growth in faith. Ideally they would be committed members of their Church, who, from their own experience and living of faith can support you in your role.

* Because of the role of the godparent it is never possible for someone who is not baptised themselves to take on this role, even though they may be wonderful spiritual individuals.

* The central question to ask yourselves when choosing Godparents is “Will the Godparents support you as parents in a commitment to raise your child as a Catholic?”

* If either or both of the Godparents are unable to attend the Baptism, a proxy may be named to stand in during the ceremony.

How should I prepare for my child’s baptism?

The best way to prepare for the sacrament of Baptism is through prayer, reflection and faith sharing with the community in Sunday Mass. To assist parents the Parish also requires attendance at the Baptismal Preparation Program.

What should my child wear?

As part of the liturgy of baptism there is a prayer which points to the white garment/stole of the newly baptised as a sign of the new life that they share with Christ. White is a sign of innocence, purity and freshness. During the Celebration you will be given a white garment to place over your child expressing the dignity and beauty of new life in Christ. Whilst most babies are dressed in white, smart, comfortable and weather appropriate attire is acceptable on the day.

What else do I need for the Baptism?

Our Paschal (Easter) candle in the church symbolises Christ our Light who shows us the way to God. Throughout the whole of the liturgy of baptism the Paschal (Easter) Candle is burning near the font.

You will be given a Baptismal Candle at the time your child is presented to the faith community. It will be lit from the Paschal candle during the baptism liturgy. This baptism candle signifies that your child has been enlightened by Christ who is light to the world. The candle may be lit each year on the anniversary of baptism when your family might like to share a prayer over the family meal. It can be lit again on important occasions in your child’s life – for example Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

How much does the Sacrament of Baptism Cost?

As a sacrament of the Church no charge is made for the celebration of baptism. However it is considered appropriate to present the parish an offering. $60.00 is customary. This helps to support the life and the work of the parish and costs incurred in the preparation for the Baptism of your child. The offering is presentable to the Parish at the time of registration.

What about after the Baptism?

Baptism of course is not the end of the journey – it is only the beginning. Baptism is the first of the three sacraments which together we name as “Sacraments of Initiation”: Baptism leads on to the celebration of Confirmation, a deepening of the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us continue our journey as disciples; and Confirmation leads on to the Eucharist, when we become full members of the Church and come forward with the rest of the community to share in the body and blood of the Lord, to be united through that sharing, and strengthened again to live as disciples.

How else I can become involved in the Parish?

Our Parish Pastoral Council invites all parishioners to be registered in our Parish. This allows us to give you useful information about the different ministries in our parish. We welcome you to share your gifts and talents in these ministries.

We would like to encourage you to consider contributing financially to assist with the necessary costs that occur as we serve the community, either by direct debit, planned giving envelopes, available at the back of the Churches or by giving at the second collection during weekend Masses. Please contact the parish office for more details.

We look forward to celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism with you and we will help make it a happy and memorable occasion. It’s a great day not only for you and your family but for the whole Church as your child begins their life as a disciple of the Lord.

If there are any questions about baptism for your child, please don’t hesitate to contact the parish office on 02 6882 4233 so that we may help you or email: baptism.dubbo@cdob.org.au