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 Chermside West Parish area and want your baby to be baptised please contact the Parish Office as early as possible. Baptisms are held at St Gerard Majella Church, 146 Maundrell Tce. Chermside West on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month following the 8. 30am Mass.  Bookings essential  (07) 3359 0088.

Parents wishing to baptise children who are above the age of six need to meet with our Sacramental Coordinator  Mary, to enrol in the Sacramental Program.  Click HERE to make an appointment.

Adults are baptised after a period of preparation. This process is called the RCIA or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. See "Becoming a Catholic" on our website menu for more information.

In Baptism, the first of the Sacraments of Initiation into the Church, we are given a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit; we become children of God. In the Sacrament of Confirmation we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Our First Eucharist completes our initiation and we enter fully into the life of the Church.

By asking to have your child baptised you are making a commitment to raise your child as a Catholic and by word and example, bring your child up in the practice of the faith. Seeking Baptism for your child, therefore, should not be done lightly nor without preparation.

It is important to take time and truly reflect on why you want your children baptised. Baptism is making a commitment before God, first to the child, and secondly to the Church Community as a whole, to raise them in the faith to the best of your ability.

 To get them into Catholic Schools is not a sufficient reason on its own.

As your child’s parents, you have given him or her life and no doubt, you want the best for your child. You will be your child’s first teacher and role model. What you say or do, what you are will be the most important influence on your child’s personality and view of the world. No one can take your role as parent and the most influential person in your child’s life. However the Parish does offer you support in your role in forming your child to be a follower of Jesus Christ. The first of these supports is the baptism preparation process. You need to undertake this process before the child is baptised. We will also support you as a Parish Community, through our, Sacramental Program and Liturgical celebrations. Please feel free to contact the Parish about any faith support programs available.

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, one of them must be a Catholic. Whilst it is a great honour to be chosen to be a child’s Godparent, the role is also 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 child.

For further information on Baptism or any of the Sacraments please do not hesitate to contact us at the Parish Office (07) 3359 0088.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What do we need to bring on the day of Baptism?

Apart from coming yourself and bringing your child to be baptised, you will need to bring a candle which can be purchased in our piety stall. You may need to consult with the Priest. A white garment is symbolically part of the ritual and most babies will come dressed in them. It is a good idea to bring your camera and video to record the event. Cameras as a general rule are permitted in our Baptism services, but it is wise to ask the celebrant for advice on what is appropriate. Every celebrant has a different approach as to when they can and can’t be used.

We don’t live in the Parish. Can we still have our child baptised here?

Children are normally 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 gather for worship.

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 usually try to involve the child’s local Parish in the preparation and follow-up.

Can we have a private baptism?

Well, actually, there is no such thing! In having your child baptised, you are making a public statement that you intend to raise your child in the faith of the Church. The child becomes a member of the Church through baptism. It is an event that has significance beyond family and friends. It is highly appropriate that other members of the Church be present. This is one of the reasons that we often baptise children from two or more families at the same ceremony.

Do the Godparents have to be Catholic?

At least one does. 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.

How long does the service take?

A typical Baptism Liturgy usually takes half an hour, depending on the number of babies to be baptised. Depending on the day and the Parish, this can mean your child may well be Baptised along with two or more children. As the ritual is about welcoming the child into our particular faith community, the more people who attend the celebration the better, as it increases the communal atmosphere and nature of the liturgy.

My child is now over six years old, what impact will this have on his/her Baptism?

Children who are older than six or school age undergo a slightly different program as they are old enough to have some understanding of the Sacrament themselves. Parents with children older than six, should make an appointment to see Fr. Gerard, or the Sacramental Coordinator Mary on

(07) 3359 0088 or by email: chermsidewest@bne.catholic.net.au

My child was baptised in another Christian Church, can he/she be baptised Catholic?

No, baptism can only be received once in any Christian Church. However if a person is baptised in another Christian Church and wishes to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church, they participate in a smalll Rite of Reception. All such enquiries should also be directed to the Parish Office.

We look forward to welcoming you and your family into our Parish Community.