At Our Lady of the Pines, Baptisms are held on the first and third Sundays of the month at 11.00 am.

Once a date has been confirmed, you will be sent an information pack in the mail and closer to the day one of our Baptism Team will visit you at home for Baptism preparation.

 

If you would like to enquire about baptism for your child, please submit the form below and our Baptism Co-ordinator, Marianne Farchione, will be in touch.

A pre-Baptism survey must be completed.  This encourages parents to reflect on the meaning of Baptism, their own faith journey and their plan for the continuing faith development of their child.

 

On a mutually convenient weekend prior to the Baptism, you will be asked to attend Mass for the presentation of your child to the parish community.  This will be discussed with you during the home visit.

 

You are required to bring a candle on the day of the Baptism.  During the ceremony this candle is lit from the Paschal candle which stands near the altar at Easter as a sign of the risen Christ.  The baptismal candle reminds us that the light of Christ has entered your child’s life and its flame symbolises the flame of faith which will burn through the life of your child.

 

You are also required to bring a white garment on the day of the Baptism.  This can be a shawl or stole and is additional to the Baptism dress.  The white garment will be used as part of the ceremony and is a symbol of the child being clothed in Christ.

 

The role of the Godparents is to help your child in every way to grow into the Catholic faith.  Being a Godparent means taking up a great responsibility for the faith formation of your child.  For this reason, at least one Godparent must be Catholic.  If any additional Godparents are not Catholic, they must be baptised Christians.  Godparents must be at least 16 years of age.

 

In November of each year we hold a ‘Blessing and Afternoon Tea’ for all children who have been baptised in the preceding 12 months, and their families.  This is a wonderful occasion where families can come together, receive a special blessing from Fr Jerald and the adults and children can socialise.