Baptism

Baptism is a Sacrament of Initiation and the first of the seven Sacraments of the Church. It is the means by which one becomes a Christian and it is the gateway to life in the Holy Spirit and the other Sacraments. It is through Baptism that an individual begins their formal relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church.

Baptisms are celebrated in our parish at St Cecilia’s Church on Sundays at 11am.  Parents seeking baptism for their children are invited to contact the parish office to make an appointment to meet with Father Arulraj. All details pertaining to the baptism will be discussed then and Father will answer any questions you may have.

It is customary for an offering or donation to be made to the priest on the day of Baptism.

Adults seeking to become Roman Catholic Christians are also invited to contact the Parish Office and make an appointment to see  Father Arulraj. Adults are prepared differently to young children, through the RCIA program, which is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. 
 
We look forward to assisting you with Baptism and welcoming you and your family into our parish community. Please contact us via email: floreat@perthcatholic.org.au or ring (08) 9387 1158.

Godparents

Godparents represent the wider spiritual family of the child.  As such, they are an ever present sign of the Church's care for your child and its development in his or her spiritual and religious development.  The primary role of a godparent is to help the child develop a living faith and to preserve in living this faith  as he or she grows and develops.

Godparents should be constantly involved in the life of your child and in particular, when your child celebrates the other sacraments of Initiation: Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation.

Godparents also help the parents so that your child will come to profess and live the Christian faith within the Catholic tradition.

In order to do this, at least one of the godparents must be a practising Catholic adult who has been confirmed and who witness to the Catholic faith in word and action in their daily lives.

Baptised Christians of other faith traditions can be Christian witnesses at the Baptism Ceremony.

The Symbols of Baptism

At Baptism, the priest will use the symbols of Water, Oil, Clothing and Candle to express your child's membership in the Body of Christ.

Water

Water is essential for life.  Without it things die.  It is necessary for growth and development.  The water of Baptism is a symbol of God's own life poured out for us in Christ so that we may remain alive in God.

Oil

We use the Oil called Chrism (from the Greek word for Christ) to anoint your child.  This oil is consecrated by the Archbishop each year and is sent out to the parish Churches to be used for Baptism.  Oil soothes and heals, nourishes and protects, penetrates and becomes part of us.  It is a wonderful symbol of Christ who will be a source of healing, nourishment and protection for your child.  Like the Oil, the spirit of Christ penetrates and becomes part of us.

Clothing

The white baptism clothing in which your child is clothed during the ceremony is a symbol that your child is now clothed in Christ. It is the face of Christ that he or she is now to present to the world - a face which speaks of love and compassion, peace and grace.

Candle

Your child's candle is lit from the Easter Candle in the Church.  The flame is a symbol of the flame of faith which will burn through your child's life.  The candle is entrusted to you and the Godparents.  Its flame (the faith of your child) is to be nourished  and kept burning until your child is old enough to keep the flame burning itself.

To view and/or download the Enrolment Form for your child to be baptised at St. Cecilia's, please click here.

To view and/or download the Information brochure, please click here.