Celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism

Celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism at our Parish

The rites for entry of children and adults into the Catholic Church have been revised. We are reminded that initiation consists of several sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Baptism is not merely a personal event in the life of the person being baptised, nor is it a private family celebration. It is also an important event in the life of the community into which they are being initiated. Baptism incorporates us into the risen life of Christ and gives us membership into the faith community. There is mutual responsibility involved:

the worshipping community expresses its pastoral responsibility to its members,
and the family accept its responsibility by nurturing the faith offered in the Sacrament.

To achieve a pastoral practice that is consistent with the church’s new emphasis on belonging and initiation, the following guidelines are offered:

The local community will support parish families in nurturing the faith of its new members (Canon Law 857/2). Thus, children who live within the parish of Melton Area will be baptised into the Catholic Community of Melton.
- Families living outside the normal parish boundaries who have no link with our community are encouraged to celebrate the baptism within their parish.
- Likewise, former parishioners of Melton parish who have not maintained some active involvement/ministries are encouraged to celebrate the baptism within their parish. We are happy to introduce families to their proper community given that they will most likely be attending their parish school and receive the next two sacraments of initiation, First Eucharist and Confirmation, there.
Parents should be prepared for the celebration by instruction in the understanding of the Sacrament (Canon Law 851/12).
The Sacrament will always be celebrated in St Catherine of Siena Church and not in a private house or hospital, except in danger of death.
Baptism (and Information Sessions) dates and times are advertised on the Parish website.
A non-Catholic person may be admitted only as a Christian Witness and in company with a Catholic godparent.
A person cannot be re-baptised. If a child has been baptised in another denomination, or if non-Catholic parents want to have their child become a Catholic to get them into a Catholic school, a personal discussion with the Parish Priest about the faith of the parents is essential.
In the Parish of Melton, Baptisms are never arranged through grandparents or others!

ROLE OF THE GODPARENT

The role of the godparent, together with the parents, is to help the child to live a Catholic life befitting the baptised. One godparent is sufficient but there may be two or more.

To be a godparent it is necessary to be:

At least 16 years of age (unless the priest makes an exception)
A Catholic who has been baptised and
Lives the life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken
Not be the father or mother of the child (because godparents are to support the parents)
A person baptised in another Christian church may be permitted to act as a Christian witness in the place of the second godparent
Non-Christian persons may not be godparents.

PROCEDURE FOR BOOKING A BAPTISM DATE

As part of the Baptism process, we require you to complete:

an Application for Baptism Form which is available from the Melton Parish website at www.melbcatholic.org/melton
return it to the Melton Parish Office along with a copy of the child’s Birth Certificate (preferably two months in advance) to secure your date.
NOTE: If you live outside the Melton and Melton South parish boundaries, a letter of permission from your Parish Priest, must accompany your application.
A confirmation email is sent to confirm your date. Ring the Parish Office on 9743 6515 if you have not heard from us within a fortnight.

COMPULSORY BAPTISM INFORMATION SESSION

Commences at 7pm SHARP at St Catherine of Siena Church

Attendance is compulsory at least a month before the Baptism of your child. At least one parent is expected to attend this session (not a proxy for the parent) although both parents and godparents are encouraged to attend. Please arrive 10-15 minutes earlier for administrative details to be recorded. The session will be approximately one hour in duration.

WELCOME MASS

Families (and godparents if possible) are also asked to attend a 5 pm Mass on any Sunday prior to the baptism. The priest will welcome and present the child to the parish community. Please let the Mass Manager know that you are present at this Mass.

COST: We ask for an offering of $125 per family to the Church. Payment may be made by:

Cash on the day of the baptism or
Prior to the Baptism date - Direct Deposit to:

BAPTISMAL REGISTER

Your child’s baptism will be recorded in the Parish Baptismal Register. In the years ahead, proof of baptism may be obtained from the Parish in the form of an extract of Baptism issued on the basis of this registration. Your child’s confirmation, marriage or ordination will also be noted alongside this entry in the register.

Please see our Baptism Sessions and Information Nights page for more information on booking a baptism at Melton, including upcoming dates of our baptisms and information nights.

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