BAPTISM PREPARATION
Congratulations! You have chosen to prepare to have your child baptised. By choosing baptism for your child, they will be open to God s Grace, experiencing His help and His presence, through the many challenges that life will throw at them. His Holy Spirit can give them a sense of purpose and the courage to change the world around them. This folder contains all you will need for your preparation. The pack includes: Baptism Details Form (Yellow) - To be completed and returned at the second session together with $20.00 per family to contribute towards the administrative costs of the parish - One form per child to be baptised. The preparation team have spare forms if required. Baptism - Parent Booklet - Information booklet for you to retain re-capping on DVD shown during the two preparation sessions Sacrament of Baptism booklet - This is a copy of the baptismal service. Copies will be available in the Church to use on your child s day of baptism.
Parish Record Update (Lilac) This is an optional form available in folder at front desk. - Parish Record (including Privacy Statement) to be completed and returned at the second session. Please complete only if you are a new parishioner and would like to join our parish community. Welcoming Card - To be completed and presented to the priest at your child s Welcoming Mass. This is usually the weekend before the baptism. Baptism Offering Envelope - Monetary offering for the Priest for baptism (recommended minimum $50.00) - Offering brought to baptism ceremony Ten Ways to be a Great Godparent - Information sheet for you to retain and share with Godparents Parish Brochure Frequently Asked Questions Baptism Preparation session When, Where and How? Baptism preparation sessions are held by volunteer parishioners on the 1 st and 2 nd Monday of each month. These sessions are held in the Sandgate Parish Hall at 7.30pm. Both sessions are
compulsory. Ideally both parents attend however if that isn t possible one parent can attend. There is no need to book to attend just turn up. Children are welcome at these sessions. Each session runs for approximately one hour. When can I set the date for Baptism? At your second Baptism Preparation session, you will be asked to provide the dates you prefer on the Baptism Detail form provided as part of the pack handed out at your first session. The date will then be confirmed via a call or email from the parish. Preference is given to those who have fully completed their Baptism preparation sessions. What is the Welcoming Mass? Prior to your child s Baptism you are asked to attend a Welcoming Mass. This is ideally the weekend before the baptism. Both parents and child are requested to attend one of the weekend Masses (Brighton Saturday 6pm, Brighton Sunday 7am, Sandgate Sunday 9am, Sandgate Sunday 5pm. Before the Mass begins, Fr will arrive at the front door of the Church. You introduce yourself and hand Fr the completed Welcoming Card received in your baptism pack. You will then walk in with Father, be introduced and welcomed into the Parish, and then you will be invited to join the rest of the parishioners for the Mass. Where and when is the Baptism service held? Fr Modestus celebrates the Sacrament of Baptism at Sacred Heart Church each Sunday at 11am. Up to 4 children can be baptized at
each session. If you would prefer to have your child to be baptized at Church of the Real Presence, then please speak to your Baptism Preparation Team. These requests will need to be forwarded to Fr Modestus for consideration. How many Godparents can I have and do they have to be Catholics? At least one of your child s Godparents must be a practicing Catholic, and we recommend two with a maximum of four godparents for your child. What should my child wear to Baptism? Your child may come to Church wearing day clothing, and bring along a white garment which they can be changed into during the ceremony. For babies, this would happen on the altar. For older children, they can change in privacy in the Sacristy. Alternatively, they can come wearing their white garments and be wrapped in a white shawl at the appropriate time during the ceremony. This shawl is provided by the Parish and kept at the Church for future baptisms. What happens at the actual Baptism service? The service itself is outlined in the Rite of Baptism for Children booklet contained within your Baptism Preparation pack. Copies of this booklet are retained in Church to assist you and your guests during the service. Can I invited my own Priest to celebrate Baptism in your Church? Yes. When you nominate preferred baptism date, indicate the name of your own Priest. Ask your Priest to contact Fr Modestus
about celebrating the Baptism Ceremony. This is a courtesy call. A mutually suitable date and time can then by organized with the Parish Secretary. Unfortunately, 11am Sunday may not be possible due to previously booked baptisms. Baptisms with Priests, other than Fr Modestus, are usually held Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Can we attend the Parish Preparation Session but have our ceremony in another Church? Yes. Once your preparation sessions have been completed, you will need to contact the Parish Office for a letter to be addressed to your own Priest (parish where baptism is to take place). This letter will confirm that you have completed Baptism Preparation Session in our parish and you are ready to have your child baptized. What do I need to bring with me to the Baptism service? - The Parish does provide a simple baptism candle however, you are welcome to provide your own decorated candle. These can be decorated at home or purchased from retailers such as Christian Supplies at Milton or St Paul s Bookshop in Brisbane; - White garments to dress child; and - Baptism offering envelope with donation to Fr Modestus - Family and friends to help you celebrate this happy occasion How can I become involved in the Parish community? The Sandgate Brighton Catholic Parish encompasses the worshipping communities of Sacred Heart Church at Sandgate and Church of the Real Presence at Brighton. There are many opportunities to get involved in our Parish community. Please
contact the Parish Office on the details above to advise which areas you may be interested in getting involved in. We have something for everyone! Within the parish, there are numerous groups who visit the elderly and ill, work with St Vincent de Paul, organize fundraising and community events, providing religious education to state schools in our community, clean our churches, assist with sacramental programs, flower arranging to decorate our Churches, Altar Servers, Read at Mass and much more. If you are interested in giving of your time and talents to the parish in any of these ministries, or wish to contribute to our community financially through planned giving, please contact the Parish Office. Any other questions relating to the Baptism of your child? Please ask your Preparation Team, or if you have completed your sessions, don t hesitate to contact the Parish Office on 3869 1377 or via email on sandgatebrighton@bne.catholic.net.au. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to our Parish community. PLEASE REMEMBER IT IS NECESSARY TO ATTEND BOTH SESSIONS OF THIS COURSE