Infant Baptism
Scheduling Baptism Ceremonies
If you wish to arrange for your child to be baptised, please complete the Baptism Registration Form or contact the Parish Office to discuss arrangements.
Infant Baptism Information
Like all initiation, the Baptism of infants takes place over a staged process. At our parishes there are three key steps.
Step 1: Baptism Preparation Session
Parent(s) attend a preparation session prior to the Rite of Reception. This session occurs on a Saturday morning on the first weekend of the month. The preparation session offers parents the opportunity to gain a better understanding of Baptism as a stage in the journey of faith of their child. In addition to this, the session provides the chance to ask questions about Baptism.
Step 2: Rite of Reception
The Rite of Reception involves the presentation of infants to the parish community. In this way, parent(s) are signalling their intention to bring a new member into the community and asking the community to pray for and support the new baby as he or she begins life as a Christian member of the community.
Parent(s) will be asked to bring their child to 10.30 am Mass on the first Sunday of the month at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Deepdene.
At the beginning of the Mass, the parent(s) will be asked:
What name have you given your child?
What do you ask of God’s Church for your child?
Then the child will be signed with the sign of the cross by his or her family members and by members of the community.
Step 3: Rite of Baptism
The parent(s) will be provided with a booklet at the Parent Preparation Session that explains the symbols, prayers, and actions of the ceremony.
Baptisms take place during any Sunday Mass on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th Sunday of the month; or at a Baptism Ceremony at 12 noon on the:
- second Sunday of the month at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church
- third Sunday of the month at Our Lady of Victories Basilica
- fourth Sunday of the month at Our Holy Redeemer Church
Role of Godparents
While godparents are welcome but not required to attend the Rite of Reception, they play a significant role in the Rite of Baptism. The role of godparents is to nurture the faith life of their godchildren. They should be a Christian witness to their godchild in the way they live their lives.
Godparents are generally over 16 years of age and should be fully initiated into the Catholic Church. It is customary to select two godparents, but only one is required for baptism. Other Christian sponsors may be chosen alongside the godparent(s).
Other Considerations
If your child is three years old or more, contact the Parish Office to discuss the process for Baptism.
T: 9816 9291
E: cbdparish@cam.org.au
If you are seeking Baptism for a school-aged child, refer to our RCIC Program. Read more …
Anyone outside the Parish boundaries should make contact with their local Parish Priest and follow the local custom of the Parish, or provide a letter from their Parish Priest giving permission for this sacrament to occur at the Parishes of Camberwell, Balwyn Deepdene and Surrey Hills Wattle Park.
Growing in Faith. As your child grows and develops, we would like to support you in their faith development. When it comes time for further Sacraments of Initiation (Communion and Confirmation), you will have the opportunity to enrol your children in the programs and liturgical celebrations designed to support them in their growth in faith.
Further Information
If you require further information, contact the Parish Office on 9816 9291 or at cbdparish@cam.org.au.
If you are ready to present your child for Baptism, please complete the Baptism Registration Form.