Infant Baptism

Catholics don’t believe Baptism is only a sign. We believe something very profound and tangible happens during Baptism. We believe the Bible when it says that Baptism washes away sin. (Acts 22:16)

So for us, it is not as much about what we give during baptism (i.e., a profession of faith) but it is about what we get, which is salvation. We believe this salvation is for babies too.

infant baptism catholic

Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Catholics believe that as infants, we can receive the saving grace of Baptism that was won by Jesus’ obedience, without consciously choosing it. Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God’ (Luke 18:15–16).

Baptism Schedules

The next infant baptism will take place on 27 January 2024 at 11am. There will be preparatory sessions as follows:

Session 1: 6/7 Jan and Session 2: 13/14 Jan.

Please email  flt@saint-anthony.org for more details.

Preparation for Baptism

Parents will need to attend all the preparatory sessions. Godparents need to attend only the 2nd session. Sessions are normally held on the first and second Sundays in the preceding month of March, July and November.

1st Session: Module 1 – ‘Promised & Made New in Baptism’

This session is to help parents begin to look at their own faith life and the faith that they will share with their child.

  • To give parents the opportunity to think about and discuss their understanding of Baptism.
  • To see Baptism as a Sacrament of initiation, the first step in Christian formation, made with other members of the Church.

1st Session: Module 2 – ‘The making of a Christian Home’

  • To provide parents with the opportunity to discuss and affirm their vocation as Christian parents.
  • To give parents helpful information about faith development and Catholic formation of their child.
  • To help parents understand that their Parish community not only welcome their participation but has a great deal to offer them.

2nd session: Module 3 – ‘Loved by God, Marked with the Sign of the Cross’

  • To explore and understand the depth of God’s gift to us in the symbols of Baptism.
  • To provide a preview of the Baptism ceremony, giving parents an insight into the powerful richness of the ritual.
  • To continue to help parents examine their faith life and the faith that they will profess at the Baptism of their child.

Choosing Your Child’s Godparent

Choosing the godmother and godfather is an exciting part of the preparation for baptism.

“For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents’ help is important. So too is the role of the godfather and godmother, who must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly-baptised – child or adult on the road to Christian life. Their task is a truly ecclesial function. The whole ecclesial community bears some responsibility for the development and safeguarding of the grace given at Baptism.”(CCC1255)

The responsibility of choosing godparents is a serious one that should be thought about, discussed, and prayed.

A godparent should be:

  • Someone whose everyday life reflects his/her faith.
  • Someone who is willing to make a long term commitment to you and your child.
  • The godparent is seen as the official representative of the Catholic community, the Mother Church, into which the child is being baptised.
  • The Church asks that the godparents offer their support and help to the parents in the faith formation of the child.
  • The godparents are also called on to be role models of Christian living offering guidance and inspiration to the child.

Qualifications of a godfather or godmother (Canon 874):

Can. 874 §1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:

1/ be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;

2/ have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;

3/ be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;

4/ not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;

5/ not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.

  • 2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.

Registering Your Child for Baptism

Required documents:

  • Filled-up Baptism registration form (available at the Parish Office)
  • Parents’ Church Marriage Certificate (If church wedding certificate is not available, please check with the Parish Office).
  • Child’s birth certificate
  • Baptism extracts of the Catholic Godparents of the child

Contact Details

For Infant Baptism
Please contact:

Peter & Linda
93380665 (Peter)

Or email at flt@saint-anthony.org