Session Dates:
Venue: Church
Duration: 60 Minutes
(We suggest that you arrange for babysitting, both to benefit from the session).
Dates & Mass Times:
This is part of the Baptism Ritual to enable the community to welcome your child since the Baptism Ceremony is not celebrated during Mass.
Please note that the Rite of Welcome must precede Baptism.
At the Rite of Welcome which takes place during Mass, your child will be formally welcomed by the Parish Community and receive the stole
and candle to be used at Baptism. Please arrive 10 minutes before Mass begins and inform the help desk assistant of your arrival. If an emergency arises and you are unable to attend the Welcome Ceremony, please contact the Parish Office to make another booking.
All inquiries regarding Baptism may be directed to the Parish Office by telephoning
(03) 9764 4058 or email baptism@stsimonsparish.com.au
We are pleased that you are thinking of choosing to have your child baptised at St. Simon’s Parish. This choice means that faith is important to you as parents and that you recognise the important part that God plays in your life. There may have been times when you have turned to God, and times when you have turned away from God. But throughout the journey of your life, God has been with you.
Baptism is the beginning of a new journey of faith for both you and your child. Baptism embraces you into God’s family of the Church and can give you a sense of “belonging”. We pray that you will feel welcomed into the Catholic Community at Rowville.
At the beginning of the Baptism ceremony, the priest will say to you:
“You have asked to have your child baptised.” In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training your child in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring your child up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbour. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?” You will be asked to answer: “We do.”
We pray for God’s grace and guidance to be given you as you undertake the responsibility of raising your child in the Catholic Faith.
1. Godparents:
The normal practice is to have two Godparents for Baptism. It is a requirement that Godparents may also be selected from mainstream Christian Churches provided one of them is a practicing Catholic. (Note: With great respect, non christians are not permitted for religious reasons) The role of Godparents is “to help the parents in their duty as Christian mothers and fathers.” They should be willing to take an active interest in your child’s journey of faith. A person baptised in another Christian denomination can participate in the ceremony in the same way as a Catholic Godparent, but strictly speaking, they have termed a “Christian Witness”.
2. White Stole: (provided by the parish)
Toward the end of the Baptismal ceremony, the priest will ask a Godparent (usually the Godmother) to place a white “garment” on the child as an outward sign of the dignity shared by God with the child. We encourage the use of a Baptismal stole. This stole may be personalised and decorated with baptismal symbols if you wish. When the time comes, your child will be able to wear that Baptismal stole as a sign of the connection between the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation.
3. Candle: (provided by the parish)
After your child has been clothed in the white garment, a Godparent (usually the Godfather) will be invited to come forward with the Baptism candle as a sign that the child is commissioned to “carry the light of Christ” by the integrity of their life. You may wish to ask the Godparents or grandparents to personalise the candle. They can inscribe the child’s name and the date of Baptism. Beautifully decorated candles are made by the Benedictine nuns in the Yarra Ranges and are available to you during the preparation evening.
Your preferred dates cannot be taken as confirmed until you have received an email from the Parish Office confirming those dates, so please do not issue invitations, etc. until you have received that email, which will be sent soon after you have submitted your “Enrolment for Baptism” form.