BAPTISM

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Baptism of Children

Congratulations on considering the gift of Baptism for your child! Baptism is the beginning and most-important part of a person’s Christian initiation. In this sacrament, a person is conformed to Christ and given the graces they need to walk as an adopted child of God in the family of Christ’s Church.

Parents

Baptism opens for people the doorway of salvation, and they are guided along this path with the help of their family, godparents, and fellow believers. For this reason, typically at least one of the child’s parents should be Catholic, but we would love to assist you if you have a different situation, please contact us. Many non-Catholic parents have reflected something along the lines “If I desire this for my child, why wouldn’t I also want this for myself?” If you are interested in becoming Catholic, or at least exploring the basics of your partner’s or child’s faith to better understand and support them both, please contact us, and we would love to assist.

Godparents

For the same reason above, a godparent is a Catholic aged 16 years or older who has been confirmed. Church law permits to have either a male or a female godparent, or one of both. Because baptism involves godparents making promises of their own Catholic faith and to help the child in theirs, they are someone of faith. You can read more and share this handy summary here. A baptised non-Catholic may assist as a Christian witness, provided at least one Catholic Godparent is provided already. While non-Christian’s are not able to offer the same faith role-modelling or promises of faith and therefore are not able to be godparents, all those in a child’s life are important in forming and supporting them.

When

Baptisms are held in either Sacred Heart Church, Mundaring or Our Lady of Good Counsel, Chidlow, typically on Sundays around 11am, but can be negotiated with the priest around both their and your schedules. If it is your first child to be Baptised, you must arrange a Baptism preparation meeting with the parish priest where the sacrament can be explained. This also provides an opportunity to ask questions and find out what happens on the day. Even if you have had children baptised before, it’s often good to call in to see the priest: for both you and the priest to put a face to the name, to confirm the scheduling, and submit the details needed for the child’s certificate on the Baptism Enquiry Form. If the child is already in primary school, its helpful to allow time to explain to the child the meaning of becoming Catholic to their ability.

Baptism Enquiry Form

A Baptism Enquiry form can be downloaded here. Please contact the parish priest in order to arrange a time to meet prior to the Baptism.

What do I need to bring for a Baptism?

• A white garment. As a symbol, it’s form can vary from a gown, a simple shawl, shirt, dress etc. Typically this worn to the Baptism.
• A white candle. A simple white pillar candle. As a symbol it can be plain. It could also be tastefully decorated with a ribbon. There are Christian stores that sell them and online services who will send you a custom one’s sometimes featuring their name.

Pro Tip: Godparents or other family members typically enjoy preparing a gift for the child. Asking them to assist you prepare either of these two items is a great way to delegate and give a meaningful gift idea and role to someone.

There is someone whom I can’t invite to be a Godparent, but would like to honour on the day. What can I do?

While the role of godparent as a model and co-educator in the Catholic faith along with the parents may not suit everyone, there are many ways you can honour and involve family and friends on the day. Some examples include: holding the child or other children while parents are greeting guests, preparing, holding onto, and presenting the candle during Baptism, reading the prayers of the faithful during the rite, having their name’s saint or patron mentioned during the litany of saints praying for the child, holding the towel ready after Baptism ready to dry the child’s head, taking photos, addressing some words to the guests after the Baptism or at a celebration. Ultimately your genuine gratitude and respect for them, and ongoing connection with them will be noticed more than a token gesture.

Should I offer a donation to the priest?

While Baptism and all the sacraments are offered freely, it is customary to offer a donation of the person’s choosing to convey their respect and gratitude for the priest’s ministry which makes this most important day in a Catholic’s life possible. Baptism opens the normal path to heaven for your child. Therefore, some expression of thanks, and/or an offering expressing gratitude and respect for the priests ministry, within one’s particular means is meaningful. Practically, it assists the priest’s further ministry to others. Commonly, people make an offering via a card or envelope, but it is also fine to request to make an electronic transfer if more convenient.

Is it ok to invite the priest to join a family celebration after?

Certainly, though there is no obligation or expectation. An invitation to join a family celebration after the Baptism can be another way to express the same above sentiments, and makes visible that new relationship your child shares with the God and the Church.

What happens after Baptism?

Baptism gifts a child with a lifelong family relationship with God and His Church which you publicly promise to support. One concrete way to do so is to develop a routine of prayer in the morning and evening with your children. You might play a bible story while they enjoy breakfast, pray a decade of the rosary while in the car on the way to school. It can be some prayers you pray together as a family after dinner, or with each child as you tuck them in. Coming to Sunday Mass is also part of what God asks of us as Catholics. Its natural to worry that your children will disrupt others, but we love when children are present and God’s house is their house too. God put the ‘wiggle and squirms’ in them, so let them wiggle, squirm, cry or call out. Check out these links for more resources and tips. We look forward to seeing you at Mass!

Want to know more about Baptism? Click here to go deeper!