Click here for Baptism and Workshop dates

To enroll for a Baptism workshop see Form at bottom of page

Click here to download a Baptism information form

An important focus of the Sacramental Program in our Parish is one of "family centredness". This concept is introduced to families of the Parish with the baptism of their children. The same theme flows through all the other sacraments which your children will receive through their growing years in our Parish i.e. Confirmation, Reconciliation and Eucharist. We have had operating in our Parish for 15 years a parish-based and family-centred Sacramental Program, where the parents are responsible for the preparation of their children for the reception of the Sacraments. Parents have the full support of the Parish in this process. Preparation programs for children and parents are planned, prepared and co-ordinated by the Parish.

The first thing we ask you to do is to seriously consider the commitment you are making when you ask for Baptism for your child. You the parents will teach and model Christian faith to your child. This begins at birth, but baptism is not just for childhood, it is for a lifetime, so what you teach your children during their growing years by action, word, worship and prayer will be the groundwork for their lifetime of Christian living. Most of you would be aware that the development of a child in all aspects of it’s life begins at birth and develops at an unrepeated rate through early childhood. It’s very unwise, therefore, to leave the introduction of God in a child’s life until he/she begins school. A child needs to learn about God’s love, just as it learns about its parents’ love, from birth. It’s a huge commitment, as is parenthood itself. We recommend that you prepare yourself for this commitment by attending weekend Masses as often as possible.

Secondly, after you have prepared yourself for the commitment of baptising your child, the next step in the process is to ring me at the Parish office and I will book you into a Baptism Preparation Workshop, a Baptism Welcoming Mass and a Baptism Ceremony. I do ask you not to send out invitations until this has been done as we limit the number at each ceremony. Once you book with me over the phone, these dates are set and you can then invite your family and friends.

The Baptism Preparation Workshop lasts for about 40 minutes. At that workshop we discuss baptism and ask those in attendance to share why they want baptism for their children in our Catholic Community of Toukley/Lake Munmorah. A video will also be shown on the symbols used in baptism and their meaning.

Here at St. Brendan’s and St. Mary’s, we want to emphasise that baptism is your child joining the Catholic community. This is where the Welcoming Mass comes in. You attend with your child a nominated 5.00p.m. Saturday Mass at St. Brendan’s or a 9.00a.m. Sunday Mass at St. Mary’s, where your child will be welcomed into the Christian community at our Catholic Parish. The focus of baptism in the modern world is one of ‘community’ and it is an important part of the Baptism ceremony that actually takes place at the Welcoming Mass. The congregation will welcome and applaud your child into our community.

The final booking we will make is for the Baptism Ceremony itself. The dates for workshops, welcoming masses and baptism ceremonies are attached herewith. You don’t have to do the welcoming mass and baptism at the same church, you can choose St. Brendan’s or St. Mary’s or you can mix and match if the dates suit you. There are also two forms attached. Could you please fill out the shorter one and return it to me, either in person by ringing the Parish Office to make an appointment to see me or by posting or faxing it after we have spoken over the phone. Please bring the second form entitled "Baptism Enrolment" with you to the preparation workshop.

There is no set fee charged for your child’s baptism. However, experience shows that most people wish to make a donation. It is customary that any donations for baptisms are used to support the Retired Priests’ Fund.

If you would like to discuss any matter relating to your child’s baptism, please feel free to contact me at the Parish office any time during office hours or at sacraments@iprimus.com.au. It is my privilege to support you in your very important role of the Catholic upbringing of your child. I look forward to working with you and your family for many years in this process. God bless,

Liz Wallace