You have requested to have your child baptised into the Catholic community and we are grateful to you for taking this step in your child's life.

The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated in our parish during the celebration of Mass. Baptism is the first Sacrament in the Order of Christian Initiation; Confirmation and Eucharist being the other two. It is the Parish community who welcomes your child for Baptism and so it is the responsibility of the Parish and parents to see that the gift of eternal life is nourished.

In our Parish, you may register your child(ren) for the Sacrament of Baptism (Infant) if :

•  They are under 8 years old. (If they are over 8 years old, they need to register for Order of the Christian Initiation (OCI) Program.)

• ONE Parent must be a baptised Catholic. Please provide a copy of the Baptism Certificate which also contains the Confirmation record, of at least one of the parents who is Catholic.

• You live within The Lakes Catholic Parish boundaries. If you are not parishioners of The Lakes Catholic Parish, please contact your Parish Priest and obtain a letter of permission for the baptism to take place. The letter of permission is to be attached to the form.

• Godmother and Godfather are to be a Catholic over sixteen years of age, fully initiated (celebrated the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), and regularly attending Sunday Mass (practicing their faith) so as to be good supports for parents and good role models for your child. Please provide copies of the Confirmation Certificate of the Godparents or the newly issued Baptism Certificate which shows the dates of Baptism and Confirmation. They may need to contact the Parish where they were baptised.

• Christian Witnesses are those baptised Christians from other denominations whom you may wish to support your child's spiritual upbringing.  They are welcome to assist the Godparents in their promises. Please provide copies of the Baptism Certificate of the Christian Witness which shows the dates of Baptism. They may need to contact the church where they were baptised. 

• Please ask for the Baptism Booking Form from the parish office at lakesparishoffice@bbcatholic.org.au. Once you've completed the form, please return it along with a copy of your child’s Birth Certificate, Catholic parent's Baptism & Confirmation Certificate, Godparents' Baptism & Confirmation Certificate(s). If there are any Christian Witnesses, please forward a copy of their Baptism Certificates to the parish office at your earliest convenience. 

• Once the child is registered, the following must be attended in this order. 

1. Baptism Preparation Talk - The Baptism Booking Form should be submitted before the talk, and other required documents must be submitted by this time.  

2. Anointing of the Child – For parents and child but godparents can attend but not mandatory.

3. Baptism – We are providing the White Baptismal Garment and the Baptismal Candle (with the name of the child).

• Please see below the Baptism Schedule for children under 8 years old.

• Baptism for children 8 years and older, please contact Angela Chang, Sacramental Program Coordinator at sacramentslakes@bbcatholic.org.au (Monday and Tuesday).