Infant Baptism

Bringing forth new life into our world is one of the greatest privileges.  It brings with it many joys and blessings as well as responsibilities.

Parents’ love for their child is a reflection of God’s love for us. In the sacrament of Baptism, the parents’ presentation of their child for Baptism is the duty inherent upon every disciple of Jesus to proclaim the arrival of God’s Kingdom among us. Through this Sacrament, your child will become a part of God’s family, the Church.

Important Roles

The Parents

The parents ask for the baptism of the child. In doing so, parents who are themselves baptised acknowledge taking on the responsibilities of training the child in the practice of the faith, and bringing up their child in the ways of Christ. This includes:

Telling the child about God who loves us and about Jesus our friend

  • Teaching the child how to pray
  • Instilling Christian values in the child
  • Teaching the child how to be a good Christian, through example
  • Bringing the child to Church to pray at Mass, especially on Sundays and days of obligation
  • Ensuring that the child receives a proper education

Non-Catholic parents who give their consent for baptism do not need to do anything that is against their religious or personal beliefs. Nevertheless, they are invited:

  • To be involved in the life of faith of their child
  • To be fully aware of the meaning and implication of baptism
  • To be open to discuss with their spouse any reservations/differences they may have, and to speak with the Church’s minister if they wish 

The Godparents

Godparents have 2 important functions:

  • They represent the Church into which the child is being baptised
  • They agree to assist and support the parents in the Catholic upbringing of the child, by word, action and good example

Parents may choose up to 2 official Godparents. Both Godparents must be practising members of the Catholic Church and over the age of 16. Godparents should be chosen with care. They should be persons who will be an example to your child of what it means to follow Jesus, and should fully understand and accept the responsibility that they are undertaking.

Procedures

  • Infant Baptisms are normally held in the afternoon on the first Sunday of each month at 3.00 pm.
  • Parents & Godparents are required to attend a preparatory session on the Thursday before the baptism date at 8.00 pm. The infant will not be baptised unless both parents & godparents attend this session.
  • Please check the Church Bulletin for the dates of the next baptism and preparatory session.
  • If you wish to have your child baptised, please complete the Infant Baptism Application Form (which can be obtained from the Parish Office or downloaded from the church website) and submit together with a copy of your child’s Birth Certificate to the parish office at least one week before the date of baptism.

Infant Baptism Application forms are available at the church racks or Parish Office. You may also download from the link below.

For further enquiries, please contact the Parish Office @ 6567-3866 during office hours (Mon-Fri 9.00am – 5.30pm; Sat 9.00am – 12.30pm, 6.30pm – 7.30pm; Sun 9.00am – 1.30pm)

Infant Baptism Application Form