Baptism is our birth as Christians, our birth as “other Christs.” Baptism plants the seed, the remaining Sacraments bring it to harvest.



The Sacrament of Baptism is conferred at Our Lady’s Church on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 11.00am. Several families may be booked in for the Baptism of their child on the same day. Please download the Baptism Application Form and fill out. You can email a copy to us or drop off at the Parish Office.

Preparation course

Prior to your child’s Baptism, it will be necessary to complete a short preparation course. This is usually held on the 1st Thursday of the month at 7.30 pm in Our Lady’s Church and lasts for approximately one hour. The course can be attended any month prior to the Baptism. It is important that both parents, and where possible, godparents attend the preparation evening. On completion of the course, we may offer a white baptismal stole (which may be appropriately decorated) and a baptismal candle.  

A certificate will be presented (usually on the day of the baptism) as a record of the child’s rebirth as a Christian. If required some years later for School or other Sacraments, a copy may be obtained from our office.

Contact with your local Parish

Parents who do not live in this parish area must obtain a Letter of Permission from their own Parish Priest and bring it to the preparation course. If you are not actively involved in Our Lady’s Parish community, and do not attend Mass here weekly, you may like to consider contacting the parish church nearest to where you live. Baptism is an opportune moment to explore how to become involved and begin a relationship with the parish community where your child may attend school in the future. The priority for enrolment in a Catholic Primary School would normally be given to baptised Catholic children living within the local parish boundaries.

Godparents (sponsors)

Because of their spiritual responsibilities, the Church requires that godparents be Catholics who themselves have received the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion). Exceptionally, for family or other important reasons, a baptised person of another Christian church* may assume these responsibilities as a Christian witness, in the presence of a godparent who is a Catholic.       Always ONE GODPARENT MUST BE A CONFIRMED CATHOLIC.

The church guides us in this way regarding sponsors for sacraments:

# CCL 874

To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must be:

¨     appointed by the candidate for baptism, or the parents, or by the parish priest;

¨     be not less than 16 years of age

¨     not be the father or mother of the child to be baptised

¨     be a Catholic who has been confirmed and received the blessed Eucharist and lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken

a baptised person who belongs to a non-catholic “ecclesial community” may be admitted only in the company of a Catholic sponsor, and then simply as a witness to the baptism.

Offering for the Baptism 

It is customary to make an offering for the services of the priest and church. This can be made electronically at the time of confirming the Baptism booking or can be made in person on the day of the Baptism.