Baptism in the history of the Church
From the very beginning of the Church, Baptism has been administered and celebrated as the means by which one becomes a Christian. Indeed, St Peter declares to the crowd on the day of Pentecost, "Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).
The first Christians baptised were adults. Then as entire families wanted to become followers of Christ, the rite of Baptism was adapted to cater for the children and infants of the baptised parents.
A permanent relationship with Christ
Through Baptism, the Holy Spirit seals the Christian in a permanent relationship with Christ. The effects of sin may hinder the effects of Baptism, but sin cannot erase this sign of God's fidelity. It is for this reason that Baptism is received only once.
The ritual of Baptism includes such symbols as pouring of water, anointing with blessed oil as a sign of being set apart, lighting a candle as a sign of the light of faith, and the putting on of a white robe as a sign of new life as a follower of Christ.
Preparations for Infant Baptism at Saints Mary & Joseph Cathedral Armidale
Congratulations on the birth of your child and thank you for your enquiry about baptism at our Catholic Cathedral. Please read through the following guidelines as you prepare for the first step in your child’s Christian Initiation:
Parents of infants or children to be baptised must meet with a priest of the parish to discuss the planned baptism and to prepare for the Liturgy of the Sacrament. The baptism of your child brings with it certain duties, responsibilities, and a commitment.
Please bring with you the completed Registration Forms (attached) with your child’s Birth Certificate. Also, we ask for an offering of $75 to the Church at the time of booking your baptism. This can be given at the Parish Office during business hours or by direct deposit into the Cathedral Bank Account as follows:
Account Name: St Mary’s Cathedral Presbytery
Account Number: 001023527
BSB: 082 105
(please reference your deposit with Baptism/your surname).
Preparation Sessions are by appointment and take about one hour. Please book in with the Parish Secretary Ph: 02 67 72 2218. The Preparation Session and the documentation should be completed at least two weeks before the planned baptism. This allows for office processing, and the preparation of your child’s Baptism Certificate.
Selecting Godparents: The Catholic Church requires at least ONE fully initiated Catholic…. (a Catholic: baptised, confirmed, and having made their first Holy Communion). A Godparent in the Catholic Church MUST HAVE A SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD THROUGH SHARED BAPTISM.
You may also have members of other Christian Churches as a Christian Witness. They are different to Godparents who have the responsibility of helping to raise your child in the Catholic faith. However, they must share valid Baptism with your child. The following Churches in Australia accept each other’s baptism as valid: the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church of Australia, the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia, The Lutheran Church of Australia, The Presbyterian Church of Australia, the Uniting Church of Australia.
Choosing a Name for your child’s Baptism: Parents and Godparents are to take care that a name is not given which is foreign to Christian sentiment and belief.
At the Baptism Preparation with the priest, the Liturgy of the Baptism will be explained. Parents are asked to secure a suitable candle (large enough to last over time for significant occasions), and also to make a simple white baptismal robe (a rectangular piece of white cloth with a hole big enough to fit over the child’s head (!) – it falls front and back like a little poncho. Photographs are encouraged at the ceremony. Please ensure you have a competent photographer among your guests.
Baptism is a very important time for the Catholic Community, as we welcome a new member into the Body of Christ. Parents must publicly undertake to raise their child in the practice of the Catholic Faith, with the assistance of the child’s Godparents. On the Sunday (the Lord’s Day) following your child’s baptism - the whole community of the faithful attending the Masses will pray for you and your child by name. We trust that the celebration of your child’s baptism will be a wonderful occasion for you and for your friends and families. We look forward to meeting you at our Saturday baptism preparation session.
