Baptisms
Baptisms
Prior to the baptism, we require families to attend a Baptism preparation session and a Welcome to the parish mass. . The dates for the baptism preparation, welcome mass and baptism are listed below.
November:
Baptism Preparation: Sunday 26th October at 1:00-2:30pm at St James’ Church, Forest Lodge.
Welcome to the Parish mass: Sunday 2nd November at 11:00am at St Benedict’s Broadway.
Baptism: Sunday 16th November at 1:00pm at St Benedict’s Broadway.
2026 Baptism schedule
February:
Baptism Preparation: Sunday 25 January 2026 at 1pm at St James’ Church, Forest Lodge.
Welcome to the Parish mass: Sunday 1 February 2026 at 11:00am at St Benedict’s Broadway.
Baptism: Sunday 15 February 2026 at 1pm at St Benedict’s Broadway.
March:
Baptism Preparation: Sunday 22 February 2026 at 1pm at St James’ Church, Forest Lodge.
Welcome to the Parish mass: Sunday 1 March 2026 at 11:00am at St Benedict’s Broadway.
Baptism: Sunday 15 March 2026 at 1pm at St Benedict’s Broadway.
May:
Baptism Preparation: Sunday 26 April 2026 at 1pm at St James’ Church, Forest Lodge.
Welcome to the Parish mass: Sunday 3 May 2026 at 11:00am at St Benedict’s Broadway.
Baptism: Sunday 17 May 2026 at 1pm at St Benedict’s Broadway.
July:
Baptism Preparation: Sunday 28 June 2026 at 1:00-2:30pm at St James’ Church, Forest Lodge.
Welcome to the Parish mass: Sunday 5 July 2026 at 11:00am at St Benedict’s Broadway.
Baptism: Sunday 19 July 2026 at 1:00pm at St Benedict’s Broadway.
September:
Baptism Preparation: Sunday 30 August 2026 at 1:00-2:30pm at St James’ Church, Forest Lodge.
Welcome to the Parish mass: Sunday 6 September 2026 at 11:00am at St Benedict’s Broadway
Baptism: Sunday 20 September 2026at 1:00pm at St Benedict’s Broadway.
November:
Baptism Preparation: Sunday 25 October 2026 at 1:00-2:30pm at St James’ Church, Forest Lodge.
Welcome to the Parish mass: Sunday 1 November 2026 at 11:00am at St Benedict’s Broadway.
Baptism: Sunday 15 November 2026 at 1:00pm at St Benedict’s Broadway.
Baptism Preparation Session
St James’ Church, 2 Woolley Street, Forest Lodge.
This preparation session happens prior to the Welcome to the Parish Sunday Mass and Baptism ceremony to help you in preparing for your child’s reception of the sacrament of Baptism. This session is approximately an hour and half, and it will cover the foundation of the Church’s teaching on Baptism, the spiritual aspects of the sacrament, with a step-by-step explanation of the rite itself. It is an opportunity for you to connect with the parish community and with other parents who are also having their child baptised. The Godparents are encouraged to attend the preparation session with the parents as they have an important role in helping to foster the spiritual life of the child.
Welcome to the Parish Sunday Mass
The Sacrament of Baptism is a joyous event for your family and for the whole Church. The parish community wants to partake in this joyful occasion in which your child initiates his/her journey of faith. The Welcome to the Parish Sunday Mass follows the Baptismal preparation session and it is celebrated with other families. It happens during specific Sunday Masses, with the parents, the child, and possibly the godparents (if able) attending, where you are introduced as a family to the parish community.
The Baptism Ceremony
The Baptism Ceremony takes approximately 45 minutes and is celebrated with other families.
A white garment is required for your child and a baptismal candle. The candle can be plain or decorated.
In the Church’s tradition, children from more than one family are often baptised together to exemplify that they are entering God’s family.
Godparents
- Godparents must be over the age of 16 and have been baptised and confirmed.
- At least one godparent is required.
- If you have two godparents, there must be a godfather and godmother.
- No more than two godparents are permitted.
- A baptised non-Catholic Christian will be recorded as a witness and not as a godparent.
- An Orthodox Christian can be a godparent, together with a Catholic godparent.
What you Need to Bring to the Baptism
A Baptismal Candle and a White Garment is required. The White Garment can consist of an entire garment which is white, or simply a while cloth with a hole in the middle to place over their baby’s head after their child is Baptised. The Baptism Candle can be decorated with symbols of Baptism – such as a dove or water being poured from a shell, including the name of your son/daughter – but it does not have to be decorated. You can decorate your own Baptism Candles by purchasing special pens that write on candles.
Baptism of children from outside the Parish
As part of the pastoral plan of our Parish we like to support all Catholic Parishes. Part of this support is encouraging those who come from outside the Parish to seek their own local Parish for the baptism of their child. This is so families may be able to make connection with their own local Parish and Parish Priest. Therefore we are unable to accept a booking for baptisms at St Bede’s Pyrmont or St James Forest Lodge if you reside outside the boundries of the Parish. We respectfully suggest that you make contact with your local Parish to arrange the baptism of your child.
Office hours are Monday to Friday 9.30am-2.30pm
For information about having your child baptised please contact the Parish Office on 9660 1407 or email [email protected]
How is Baptism prefigured in the Old Covenant?
In the Old Covenant, Baptism was prefigured in various ways: water, was seen as a source of life and of death; in the Ark of Noah, which was saved by means of water; in the passing through the Red Sea, which liberated Israel from Egyptian slavery; in the crossing of the Jordan River, that brought Israel into the promised land which is the image of eternal life.
Family History Research
For information on family history research, click here.