Baptism Preparation
During the current COVID restrictions,
our Baptism preparation and celebrations are slightly different to normal!
*** If you are interested in having your child baptised,
please fill in this form (https://bit.ly/30w2YDn),
and we will be in touch with you to confirm dates and upcoming requirements
***things change constantly as restrictions continue to change. ***
Baptism
About two thousand years ago, an adult would have sought baptism as a sign and affirmation of their new commitment to dedicating their lives to God. The blessings that came with their decision would strengthen and inspire them in their daily thoughts, words, and actions - to walk with God in all aspects of their lives both good and bad, significant and seemingly trivial or mundane. Today parents choose baptism for their child - this decision means that they wish to dedicate the best of themselves to bringing their child up in the Faith, to teach them about Jesus and to help this child along in their own, developing faith journey.
At St Francis Xavier and Our Lady Help of Christians Parishes we acknowledge the relationship of the child with our faith community and wish to honour this by helping parents prepare themselves and their child for this Sacrament.
Baptisms are celebrated with up to four children at 12 noon each Sunday.
At Our Lady Help of Christians (Eltham), baptisms are celebrated on the first Sunday of the month.
At St Francis Xavier (Montmorency), baptisms are celebrated each Sunday except for the first Sunday of the month.
Early bookings are required as dates can sometimes not be available for some months ahead.
In preparation for baptism, we ask that you attend:
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A preparation meeting (dates below).
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Any weekend mass during which we welcome your child to the community and present you with a candle and stole. The candle and stole are to be used on the day of baptism.
Stoles
Your child will be presented with a white stole that you will then decorate with your child’s name, baptism date and symbol. They can be embroidered or painted with special pens suitable for this fabric. The white stole symbolizes the new status in life the children receive in Baptism and this stole follows their sacramental journey. Be mindful that the other sacraments - Eucharist and Confirmation will be added. (You can organise your own stole if you would prefer, we would still present one at the welcome weekend as part of the ceremony and you could return this at the end of Mass to the sacristy.) If you do not wish to decorate the stole yourself, Kerry, an SFX parishioner can decorate or provide a stole, for further details visit her website: Kembroid or any other place of your choice.
Members of the Parish Baptism Team run a preparation meeting once a month on a Saturday from 10am - 11am in the Our Lady Help of Christians Church Foyer, 2 Henry Street, Eltham. Parents, Godparents and children are all most welcome to attend.
Dates for upcoming meetings in 2020 (postponed until further notice):
11 July
08 August
19 September
17 October
14 November
12 December
Baptism Offering
Your offering allows our parish to continue our work in preparing families for Baptism, and supports our many forms of outreach.
Normal Catholic practice is to make an offering on the occasions of baptisms and weddings (called 'stole fees'). At St. Francis Xavier, Montmorency and Our Lady Help of Christians, Eltham, the offering is $100 or more - depending on what you can afford. This goes towards Ministry and Outreach in both parishes. For convenience and to cut administrative costs, you are able to make an electronic bank transfer to the church account. Bank details will be provided at the baptism preparation meeting or if you would prefer to give cash, envelopes will be available for this purpose.
If you wish to make a booking or discuss the baptism of your child, please complete the Baptism Details Form below and email it to montmorency@cam.org.au or phone the Parish Office on 9435 2178 to check availability and book in a date.