Sacrament of Baptism

Baptising your child at St Francis of Assisi Church

For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Through baptism we are freed from the darkness of our world, we become sons and daughters of God and are embraced into the family of the Church. Baptism removes the guilt and effects of Original Sin and incorporates the baptised into the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ on earth. Catholic families are encouraged to baptise their children soon after birth, however sometimes people are baptised later, or even as adults. Whether we are baptised as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church’s way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God.

For adults who are seeking Baptism and are interested in becoming a Catholic, we have the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Click here (link coming soon) for more information.

Baptism Information

Baptism Times

Baptism at St Francis of Assisi Church are usually celebrated on Sundays at 12.30PM OR 1.00PM (depending on availability of the Priest and the Church)

Group Baptisms

There may be more than one Baptism at the same time. (No more than four).

Sponsors (Godparents) for Baptism

All sponsors for Baptism, according to Canon Law 874, must be Confirmed Catholics, who have received Holy Communion and show that they live a life of faith. Sponsors should be not less then 16 years of age. A father or mother of the child cannot be a Sponsor. Only one Sponsor is necessary but two are allowed. A non-Catholic person cannot be a Sponsor, they can only be an official Witness to the Baptism if there is a Catholic Sponsor present.

Registration Requirements

To book your child for Baptism you will need to either collect or download a Baptism Registration Form which will need to be completed at the time of booking the Baptism.

You will be required to complete the first two pages and ensure that it is signed by both parents, necessary for the Baptismal Register. Also, you will receive the Request Form for Godparents Form, which needs to be submitted at the Baptism Instruction session or beforehand.

Baptism Instructions

For Parents and ALL Sponsors, a one hour ‘Baptism Instruction’ session is required for preparation for your child’s Baptism. This is held upstairs in Bishop Kennedy Room of the Church (enter at the front of the Church and proceed upstairs). These instructions are held typically on a Tuesday evening at 7.00PM, but the exact date and time for this preparation evening will be given to you prior to the Baptism. The completed Request Form for Godparents should be signed by the Godparents and returned at the Baptism Instruction.

The Spiritual Rights of Your Child

1.
The right to know and love God
2.
The right to participate in a living community of faith
3.
The right to religious and moral education from informed parents
4.
The right to hear the Word of God and have it explained
5.
The right to active participation in community worship
6.
The right to be of service to others
7.
The right to pray freely
8.
The right to live in a home with faith in God as the heart of daily life

Book Your Baptism

To book your child’s Baptism, please contact the Parish Office on (08) 8337 3849