PARISH OF ST PETER'S, EPPING, EPPING NORTH AND WOLLERT

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism


The Sacrament of Baptism is often called ‘The Door of the Church’, because it is the first of the seven Sacraments of the Church, not only in time, but also in priority. The reception of all other sacraments depends on it.


Through Baptism, a person establishes a lifelong relationship with God through Christ. He or she is baptised into Christ's life, death and resurrection, becoming a member of his Body, the Church and beginning their faith journey. In Baptism, we receive a new birth by the Spirit and being reborn as God's beloved children as indeed they are.


Baptism is also the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation, the other two being the Sacrament of Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation.


Programs


In our parish, we have three different ‘starting points’ and programs for people seeking Baptism.

  1. We welcome infants whose parents wish to bring them for Baptism. Like all initiations, this occurs over a staged process that involves (1) a Parent Preparation session; (2) a Rite of Reception ceremony and; (3) the Rite of Baptism ceremony. The Rite of Baptism is held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 12pm.
  2. We welcome school-age children who wish to be baptised. These children will prepare for their initiation into the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC).
  3. We also welcome adults enquiring about Baptism. These adults will prepare for their initiation into the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program.


For Infant Baptism, please fill out the Baptism Application Form email it to epping@cam.org.au. In the meantime, please call the parish office on 03 9401 6300 to book a date for baptism and discuss any questions or queries you may have.


The RCIA program is offered once a year in the parish. Candidates for the RCIA program will go through a period of catechesis and be baptised at Easter. For adults enquiring about the RCIA program, please fill out the RCIA Application Form and email it to the parish office. Please contact the parish office for more information.