What is Baptism?
To be baptised is to be born again into the life of Christ. In Baptism a person becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ, and a member of the Church. If you live in the Surfers Paradise Parish area and want your child to be baptised please contact the Parish Office as early as possible. Baptisms are held at the Sacred Heart Church Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters on Sundays at 10.30am. Bookings essential.
Children under the age of 4 years
Before a booking for a Baptism can be made, parents must attend a Parent Information Session which is held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm in Sacred Heart Church.
Once attendance has been registered at a meeting the parent can telephone the Parish Office on 5572 5433 to discuss the booking of a Baptism with the Coordinator Marylou Ayres.
No bookings will be made unless this meeting has been attended.
Children aged 4 years to 6 years
Children of this age are more aware of the ceremony and what is happening. Therefore parents are asked to attend 4 sessions to assist them in preparing their older child. During these sessions, resources will be accessed to support parents in the faith development of their children.
Seeking Baptism for your child is something that should not be done lightly and without preparation. By asking to have your child baptised you are making a commitment to raise the child as Catholic, and by word and example train your child in the practice of the faith.
Choosing Godparents
Godparents are those people you have chosen to have a specific role in assisting you in the faith life of your child. For this reason, at least one of those people supporting you must be a fully initiated Roman Catholic who is over 16 years of age. Whilst it is a great honour to be chosen to be a child’s godparent, the role also is a serious one. In choosing Godparents you are inviting them into the faith development of your child. Take care to choose people who you will be sure will take an active interest in helping you to nurture the faith of your children.
All godparents have to be baptised Christians. Godparents are asked three times during the ceremony “Do you believe…” in the central beliefs of the Christian Faith (see the liturgy book for details). They have to be able to sincerely answer “Yes”. They promise to support the parents in their task of raising the child in the faith of Christ.
We don’t live in the Parish. Can we still have our child baptised here?
Children are baptised in the Parish where they live. When a child is baptised, the parents promise to raise the child, “to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbour”. The child becomes a member of the Church. At the local level, belonging to the Church is expressed by belonging to a worshiping community, such as a Parish. So it makes sense for baptism to be celebrated in a place where the child and their family will continue to gather for worship in an ongoing way.
If you do not live in our Parish area, but have good reason to ask for the baptism to take place here, we would consider your request seriously. When baptising children from outside the Parish, we involve the child’s local Parish in the preparation and follow-up.
What does it cost?
There is no charge for the celebration of the sacrament. There is a booking fee of $60 to offset administrative costs. This fee is payable at the time of booking. We have EFTPOS or Netbank facilities available.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office on 5572 5433
during business hours to discuss your child’s Baptism.
