HERVEY BAY CITY CATHOLIC PARISH

BAPTISM POLICY

Once a family decides to baptise their child they bring their child to the parish to ask for baptism, thus committing themselves to the following procedures culminating in the child receiving the sacrament of baptism.  It is the Church and Archdiocesan policy that parents must participate in some form of Baptismal Preparations and thus the following steps have been designed to assist families to achieve this within the Parish of Hervey Bay. If the candidate is over the age of 7 years they are to be enrolled in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) program.

Parents need to give at least one months notice before the baptism ceremony so as to ensure the whole preparation for baptism can be completed.  The Parish secretary, in consultation with the Priest, will advise the Parents of the available dates of baptism.  Baptisms are conducted on the fourth Sunday of the month at 10.30 a.m. unless otherwise negotiated with the Parish priest.

PROCEDURES

1. Telephone or visit parish office to make an appointment to see parish priest.  Baptism details will be taken and a form completed.  This information is extremely important as it is used for the Baptism Certificate and parish Sacramental Records. A fee of $25 is charged for the baptism with a cost of $30.00 for two or more children receiving the sacrament.  This fee is payable prior to, or on the day of interview with Parish priest.  The fee covers; the Booklet, Candle, Certificate and Stole.
2. Interview with Parish priest.  At the interview the date will be confirmed and fee paid to the parish secretary.  Some reading material will be given to the family at this time and a time/date for a preparation evening maybe given to the family.  If a preparation evening date is not available at the time of the interview the family will be contacted by a member of the baptism preparation team directly.
3. Preparation Evening.  To prepare your child for baptism, parents must attend a preparation evening. The time and date preparation is set by the parish baptism preparation team and if you cannot attend you must contact the office directly and make arrangements to postpone the ceremony until a preparation evening can be attended.  At this evening you will discuss the Rite of Welcome and your attendance at a weekend mass prior to your child baptism
4. Rite of Welcome.  This is the initial part of the baptism ceremony and it is performed within a weekend mass in our parish prior to the baptism.  Parents must bring their child to a weekend mass prior to the baptism and present themselves to the priest who will perform the Rite of Welcome within the mass.  It is not compulsory for Godparents to be in attendance on this occasion.  However if they are able to attend it is strongly recommended. 
5. The baptism Ceremony.  It is a formal occasion where you and the godparents listen to Scripture, prayers and receive blessings after a profession of faith on your child's behalf. The use of photography equipment is permissible, however we ask that you approach the priest prior to the ceremony and nominate a specific person to conduct this task.

Other Enquiries

If you have any further enquiries, then please telephone the Parish Centre on (07) 41243334 for assistance.