St. Leo the Great Parish welcomes you and your family to the celebration of your child’s baptism.

To baptise means to “immerse” in water. The one who is baptised is immersed in the death of Jesus Christ and rises with him as a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). This sacrament is often called “the door of the Church” because it is the first of the seven sacraments, not only in time but also in priority. The reception of all other sacraments depends on it.

Once baptised, we believe that we are washed clean of original sin. We are brought into the divine life of the Holy Trinity through Sanctifying Grace and we are incorporated into Jesus’ Church. Through baptism, we share in the priesthood of Christ and are brought into communion with all other Christians. Once baptised, we are marked with the indelible seal of Christ and belong to him forever.

If you are seeking the sacrament of Baptism your child, please call the parish office on 9391 7111.

At St. Leo the Great’s Parish there are three steps in the celebration of infant baptism (0 – 6 Years Old).

· A compulsory preparation session is held on the first Saturday of each month at 11am in the Church. Our Baptism Team will talk with you and other parents about the meaning of baptism and the practicalities of the ceremony. Ideally both parents should attend the session. It is a welcoming environment for all: Catholic and non-Catholic. To book for this session please complete the Enrolment Form from the Parish Office.

· The ‘Rite of Welcome’ will take place at 5pm Saturday Vigil Mass before the date of Baptism.

· The Baptism Ceremony will take place on First Sunday of the Month during 10:30am Mass and third Saturday of the Month at 11am. However, this pattern usually changes at Christmas and New Year, at Easter, and at some other times of the year. The baptism ceremony is a special family time but is also special for our parish community, because baptism is the time when the Christian community welcomes a new member into its midst. This is why the church wants every baptism to be a community celebration, not a private one.