BAPTISM

Baptism for children under 7

Baptisms for children under 7 years old must be booked through the Parish Office.

Application Forms

Application Forms will be provided once Baptism is booked in.

Baptism Preparations

Before receiving any Sacrament, the Church encourages the individual or the family to understand what it entails, and how to prepare for it. A member of the Baptism Preparation Team will contact you to visit the home or other location suitable to both parties to discuss the program and provide necessary information and preparation.

Families not residing in St. Laurence’s Parish Leongatha

Families not residing in St Laurence’s Parish Leongatha must obtain a Letter of Permission from the Parish Priest of their parish of residence.

Godparents

• Since the primary role of a godparent in Catholic Faith is to be a model and guide of Catholic Faith and practice, there must be at least one Catholic godparent, male or female. However, there may be two, one of each sex. Godparents should be 16 years old or above, and should be a fully initiated Catholic, one who lives and practises the Faith.

• Non-Catholic Christians can be accepted as witnesses alongside a Catholic godparent.

• If you wish to have more than two godparents, or more than one of the same sex, these also can be accepted as witnesses. Keep in mind, however, that increasing godparents / witnesses dilutes the responsibility of each individual: the Church wisely limits official godparents to two.

Baptism for children aged 7 and above

Baptism of older children is conducted separately, by special arrangement with the Parish Priest. Once a child has turned 7, the Church considers that the child has attained the age of reason. Therefore, such children will require to undertake due preparations and formation in Catholic Faith, along with its parents, before it can receive the Sacrament of Baptism.