Beginning the Journey
Baptism is not about being perfect. It is about beginning a journey.
As parents and godparents, you are your child’s first teachers—not only by what you say, but by the love you show each day. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, every moment of forgiveness teaches your child something about God.
Faith grows quietly, just as a child grows: through love, patience, prayer, and the simple moments of family life. The Church is here to walk alongside you, supporting you as your child grows in wisdom, compassion, and faith.
The Signs of Baptism
The Baptism ceremony is rich in simple yet beautiful signs that help us understand God’s love.
Your Child’s Name
Your child’s name is spoken with joy because every person is unique and precious to God. God knows each of us by name and calls us into a life of love.
The Sign of the Cross
The Sign of the Cross is traced on your child’s forehead as a blessing and a reminder that Christ is always close, sharing every joy, every challenge, and every step of life’s journey.
The Water of Baptism
Water brings life. In Baptism it reminds us of new beginnings and God’s promise to remain with us always. It is a sign that your child is born into a new life of faith and welcomed into the Christian family.
The Holy Oils
The sacred oils speak of healing, strength, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. They remind us that God never leaves us alone but continues to guide, comfort, and strengthen us throughout our lives.
The White Garment
The white garment is a sign of the new life your child receives in Baptism. It reminds us of the dignity, goodness, and beauty that God has placed within every human person.
The Baptismal Candle
The candle is lit from the Easter Candle, the symbol of the Risen Christ. Its light reminds us that Jesus is with us always. As your child grows, may this light inspire them to live with kindness, courage, compassion, and hope, bringing Christ’s light into the lives of others.
A Lifelong Gift
Your child’s Baptism will be recorded in the parish register as part of the story of their life and faith. A Baptism certificate will be given to you as a lasting reminder of this joyful day and may be needed when your child celebrates other sacraments in the future.
Today is more than a ceremony. It is the beginning of a lifelong relationship with God, who delights in your child and walks beside them every day.
As Pope Francis has often reminded us, God never grows tired of loving us. May your family always know the peace of that love, and may your child grow surrounded by faith, hope, and the joy of the Gospel.
May God bless your family today and always.
How to Arrange a Baptism
Parents should notify the Parish Office in person and complete the necessary application card.
One month’s notice is required.
Saint Peter’s Parish: 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays at 1:00p.m.
Saint Paul’s Parish: 2nd and 4th Sundays at 11:45a.m.
Time for celebration and Joy!
Your baby’s baptism is a time for celebration and joy. And, naturally, you want the best for your baby. We want to help you plan and prepare for the baptism in the best possible way.
Much to do
It’s likely that at the moment you are concerned about he birth of your baby. Either it’s an event you are waiting for; or you are still recovering form it. Before the baby arrives there is so much to think about; where will the baby sleep, baby’s cothes, will the baby be completely healthy, perhaps even the prospect of twins? Then, all of a sudden, there is chaos. The baby finally arrives and their is no time to think. There is so much to get done. Some people think of baptism simply as something else to “get done”. They speak of baptism as having the baby “done”. That’s very sad. For baptism is a birth into the Christian community and is in every way as solemn and important as birth itself. It’s an event that needs to be prepared for.
Your faith is important
Your most important preparation is to look at your own faith. Your baby will be born with your features and will pick up your mannerisms. As he or she gets older your child wil grow up, too, with your faith. That is why, when you approach the church about having your child baptised you will be encouraged to think through your own faith and the part it plays in your life. The very fact that you have asked to have your baby baptised shows that you recognise the importance of God in your life. From the earliest days children too young to answer for themselves have been baptised, usually as they accompanied their parents into the Church. For the church recognises the desire of Christian parents to share the life of Christ with their children. Jesus Christ, like you, wants the best for your child.
Growing in God’s Love
Your efforts will not only help your baby to grow up in the love of God: they will also help you to grow. As you teach your child to pray you yourself will deepen your prayer; as you teach you child to appreciate the Mass your own faith will be enriched. Your baby’s baptism is only the beginning of a new life in which you will grow closer to one another in the family and closer to God. The Church welcomes your child into its midst with love and prayers for the future peace and happiness of your family in the years ahead.
The signs and symbolism of Baptism
Sign of the Cross
A sign on something shows its origins or ownership. The sign of the cross is the mark of Christians for Jesus Christ died on the cross. parents and god-parents trace it on the child’s forehead to show that the baby belongs to Christ, who now offers his help and grace to face and overcome the sufferings of life.
Water
This is for cleansing and is a sign that our sins are washed away. Baptism cleanses us of original sin with which we are all born and, in the baptism of adults, of every sin committed prior to baptism. Water is also necessary for life and so is a sign, too, that the life of the risen Christ is ours.
Oils
Oil of Baptism is olive oil rubbed on the breast of the baby, just as athletes used to rub themselves with oil to strengthen and prepare for the fight ahead. Oil of Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam (sweet-smelling ointment) and is rubbed on the crown of the head. It is a sign of sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The profession of faith which you make on behalf of your child at baptism will later be confirmed personally by your child in the sacrament of confirmation when Oil of Chrism will be used again. The oils are blessed by the bishop around the time of Maundy (or Holy) Thursday.
White Garment
This garment (usually a white shawl) is a relic of the new clothes worn by Christians after baptism in the first centuries. It is a sign of innocence and the new life of resurrection.
Candles
These symbolise Christ – the Light of the World. The baptismal candle is lit formt eh paschal candle, which stands near the altar at Easter as a sign of the risen Christ. The baptismal candle reminds us that the light of Christ has entered the child’s life; and its flame symbolises the flame of faith which will burn through the life of your child.
Baptismal Register
Your baby’s baptism will be recorded in the parish Baptismal Register. In the years ahead proof of baptism may be obtained in form of a certificate issued on the basis of this registration. Your child’s confirmation, marriage or ordination will also be noted alongside this entry in the register.