All baptised in Christ, you have all clothed yourselves in Christ. All of you are one in Christ Jesus.
Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, and is described as “the basis of the whole Christian life” (CCC, 1213). Through Baptism, we enter into the Church and take on the responsibility of dedicating our lives to God’s will.
Celebrations of the sacrament of Baptism at St. Mary’s usually take place at midday on a Sunday. If you are a parent seeking the sacrament of Baptism for your child, please contact us or speak to our parish priest in the sacristy following Mass. If you are an adult interested in becoming Catholic, more information is available here.
The parish priest will be able to explain what preparations are necessary, and what will happen during the sacrament. During the sacrament, the priest will pour a small amount of Holy Water over the head of the child, while pronouncing “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The child will also be anointed with a blessed oil called Sacred Chrism, reminding us that we are one with Christ who was anointed priest, prophet and king, and will be symbolically clothed with a white garment to symbolise that the child has been clothed in Christ, and should be a visible sign of Jesus’ love in the world. A lighted candle is presented to the family to represent that the light of Christ has been passed on to the newly baptised child, and to emphasise that it is the responsibility of their parents and godparents to keep it burning brightly throughout the child’s life.
Sunday Mass | 10am |
Holy Communion Service (Monday) | 10am |
Holy Communion Service (Friday) | 10am |
Holy Communion Service(Saturday) | 10am |
Saturday Vigil Mass | 6pm |