The Sacrament of Baptism is primarily about belonging to the Church.  By bringing your child for Baptism we take seriously your desire for your child to grow up in the faith of the Catholic Church.  He/she can only do that by belonging to your local parish through your participation.  We see ourselves as an extended family where you and your family can feel welcomed supposed and loved.  So, Baptism is about belonging, not just for your child but for your whole family.  To be a true Catholic demands much more than going to Mass on Sunday.  It is about sharing your life with us so that we can all be enriched by one another.  It is about a way of life that is lived out through our parish of Sacred Heart, Kew. 
 
Baptism Information
As you will know most of our Baptismal celebrations are now also conducted during our Sunday Masses.  This is in line with the theology understanding that Baptism is a Sacrament of initiation and welcome to the community. 
Therefore, it is important that the community is present during such celebrations. 
Baptism is never wholly a private family celebration.  The child already belongs to the family by reason of his/her birth.  The celebration of Baptism is a public statement that the parent/s wants their child to belong to our Catholic Community
The best way to celebrate this is when that same community, our parish, gathers for Sunday Mass. 
 
Theology of Co-Creation
We are created in the image of God and our parents.
On the day God created Adam he made him in the likeness of God.  Male and female he created them.  The story of Genesis is that while we are created in the image of God we are also created in the image of our Parents.
Genesis teaches us that animals reproduce human beings create. 
Our children are our own creation taking all that is good and bad from us.  They also learn what is important and what is not.  This reality confronts us on many levels especially spiritually therefore the ongoing creation of your child begins and ends with you.  You are co-creators with god.  This work begins here and now and cannot be put off until a later date.  Ultimately the choice is yours and only you can make it.
 
Theology of Original Sin
Origin Sin is the belief that people are born into a world that has been affected by human sinfulness.  Original sin centres on the collective sin of humanity not the individual personal sin of each of us.  We all experience the desire to go towards what we know to be wrong.  This false desire can only be re-dressed by knowing and communicating with God on a personal level.  God gives us his Spirit at Baptism to help us overcome human sinfulness and know God in the depths of our hearts. 
For Christians baptism is God’s way of revealing he is on our side.  He is willing to give us the Holy Spirit as our constant companion and guide.    
  
Theological Controversies Concerning Baptism (Pelagianism)
People are basically good.  As long as you live a good life and help your neighbour you can merit eternal life.  Such a belief replaces Christianity with a humanistic theology based on the goodness of the human person.  You don't need God to get to heaven just yourself.  It is surprising the numbers of people who believe this today.  GOD is replaced by GOOD!
Yet we know deep in our hearts that we can not save ourselves; by that I mean ‘we need God’ since our attachment to sin is too great. 
The Church responds by saying that even infants need the saving grace offered through baptism to help them in life.  Baptism is God’s gift of himself for your child. 
 
Suggested Scriptural Passages for Baptism Preparation and Celebration
 
Genesis I
Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; so God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply.  God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.
 
Isaiah 49:1-2, 15-16
God called me before I was born.
From my mother’s womb he pronounced my name.
He hid me in the shadow of his hand.
Can a mother forget her baby, or not love the child she bore?
Yet even if these forget, I will not forget you.
See I have carved you in the palm of my hand. 
 
Romans 8
Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son or daughter of God.  The Spirit you received is not a spirit of slaves but of freedom.  It makes us cry our ‘Abba, Father.’  You interests therefore are not in the un-spiritual, but in the spiritual, since the Spirit of God has made his home in you.  The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are the children of God. 
 
Mark 1ff
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.
I have baptised you with water; but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit."
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan.
And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.
And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
 
We look forward to discussing these and other aspects of Baptism at our Adult Education Session.                                                             
Father John Madden, Parish Priest
 

1. The Godparent must be a Roman Catholic as he/she represents the Catholic Community

2. The Godparent must have receive the Sacrament of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation

3. Only one Godparent is required and no more than two is the norm.

4. The Godparent cannot be the parent of the child

5. The Godparent must be at least 16 years of age unless a dispensation is given by the Local Bishop or the Parish Priest.

6. A baptised person who belongs to a non-catholic eccliesial community may be admitted only in company with a catholic sponsor, and simply as a witness to the baptism.

7. The Godparent must be willing to sincerely vow/promise to take on the sacred duty of regularly praying for the child and making sure the child is cared for spiritually.

8. This sacred vow/promise is made to God and must not be entered into lightly.

9. The sacred promise undertaken by the Godparent is spiritually binding until the child reached 18 years of age. 

Please consider seriously the person you choose as a Godparent and ask yourself are the spiritually ready to take on this sacred duty.  

The Following will give you some Understanding of our Parish Baptismal Policy. 
 
Introduction
There seems to be much confusion and ignorance when it comes to the celebration of the Sacraments especially Baptism.  The Sacred Heart Parish Baptismal Policy seeks to rectify this situation.
 
Baptism and New Beginnings
Life is really a journey.  We grow up, we leave home, we get married, we change jobs etc.  Nothing ever stays the same.  Part of this journey is letting go of the past in order to welcome new beginnings.  Setting up a new home involves leaving the family home we have grown to love over the years.  This is also true of our faith community.  When we move into a new area it is an opportunity to seek out a new beginning spiritually.  This involves visiting our new spiritual home, our local Parish Faith Community.  This is where your children will be nourished spiritually as their own personal faith home.  In fact it is the same journey your parents made when they first settled into their new home. 

Your child belongs to you.  Even before your child was born your whole family was filled with hope and excitement.  Will your child be a boy or a girl?  Who will he or she be like?  Likewise baby clothes were admired and bought.  The baby capsule and cot were carefully chosen so that your child would be as comfortable and safe as possible.  No expense was spared as you sought advice from family and friends alike.  Only the very best is good enough for this child of yours.  So in a very real sense your child was welcomed and belonged to you before it was ever born.  He/she was already a full member of your family in every way.

 We also want your child to belong.  We want your child to belong to us, the parishioners of Sacred Heart, Kew.  This is where the spiritual development of your child will be nurtured.  We see ourselves as an extended family where you and your child feel welcomed, supported, and loved.  Your child will hopefully attend one of our parish schools.’  It is also where your child will receive all their Sacraments.

Baptism Ethos -  A Sacrament of Belonging to your Local Faith Community
Baptism is the first of the Sacraments of Initiation.  It is a celebration of belonging to your Local Parish Faith Community and through it to the wider church.  

Our way of fully welcoming you is celebrated in the Sacrament of Baptism.  Baptism is about belonging, not just for your child but for your whole family.  It is about sharing your life with us so we can all be enriched by one another.  It is about a way of life that is lived out in and through this Faith Community at Sacred Heart Parish. 

God called me before I was born,
from my mother's womb he pronounced my name.
He hid me in the shadow of his hand.
Can a mother forget her baby, or not love the child she bore?
Yet even if these forget, I will not forget you.
See, I have carved you on the palm of my hand                                 Isaiah 49:1-2,15-16.

Our responsibility as a community is to teach your child about a loving God who wishes to have a personal relationship with him/her.  We can only help you to the extent that you choose to belong to us.  The Faith Community of St. Sacred Heart Parish promises to awaken, strengthen, and develop, the faith of your child as he or she matures.  We can and will help you in every way possible because we know the task before you is a difficult one.
 
Your child has just begun his/her journey of life.  Your responsibility is to help form the inner nature of your child as he/she grows up.  One of the most important ways of doing this is by telling your child about God.  If you neglect to tell your child about God then the only God your child will know will be one who is indifferent and distant.  How then can your child turn to God especially in times of trouble?
If on the other hand your child knows God as a friend and companion then when difficulties arise he/she will be able to turn to him for reassurance and cope a lot more easily. 
This is our hope for your child.  Let us begin this journey by celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism here at Sacred Heart Parish. 

Please choose to belong to us because we are as rich or as poor as the people who make up our parish Community.  It would be beneficial you and your family to attend weekend Mass at Sacred Heart Parish so that you come to know this worshiping community.  Believe me when I say that Sacred Heart is a wonderful community and you will love it here. 
 
You are also required to attend a ‘Welcome Mass’ before the baptism can occur.  Welcome Masses are understood as one of our weekend Parish Masses so the family can be welcomed and introduced to the Parish Faith Community and make their commitment to belong to our Parish.  This promise of belonging is made to God and to the parishioners of Sacred Heart.  
This takes six weeks to eight weeks after the initial information session but it can take longer depending on the parish calendar.  Baptisms are celebrated at Sacred Heart Kew, on any Sunday of each month at 9.30am.  No date is set until the family have completed in full our Parish Policy for the Sacrament of Baptism.  Likewise, you will need written confirmation from the parish confirming baptismal date and time to finalise the process.  

There are some weekends when baptisms do not occur due to the parish calendar.  These include Sundays which are reserved for 1^st Eucharist Masses, Palm Sunday, Christmas day, Confirmation masses, Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, parish celebration Masses, etc.  Consequently it is best not to arrange a baptism with having this information at hand. 

NB:  In having your child baptised you are promising God in the most profound sacred way that you will attend Mass regularly so that you can bring your child up in the practice of the Catholic Faith.  Failure to do so is a ‘Serious Spiritual Sin’ as this vow is binding.  It is a ‘Sacred Spiritual Vow’ between you and God. 

Please take care of your child’s soul this is your ‘Most Sacred Duty’
 
Sincerely yours, 
Father John Madden, Parish Priest                         

Parents are required to attend one session of the Baptism Adult Education which occur on the first Saturday of each month at our Parish Office.  The session is at 11.30 AM unless otherwise stipulated.   The dates are as follows:

• Saturday 1 February 2020, 11:30 AM
• Saturday 7 March 2020, 11:30 AM
• Saturday 4 April 2020, 11:30 AM
• Saturday 2 May 2020, 11:30 AM
• Saturday 6 June 2020, 11:30 AM 
• Saturday 1 August 2020, 11:00 AM
• Saturday 5 September 2020, 11:30 AM
• Saturday 3 October 2019, 11:30 AM