BAPTISM & CONFIRMATION REQUEST FORM

NAME:DATE OF BAPTISM:TIME OF BAPTISM:CELEBRANT PRIEST:

A- What is the Sacrament of Baptism?Baptism is a sacrament of initiation, a principal sign of God's love for us. Through this sacrament we enter into and celebrate a new life in union with Jesus Christ and the Christian community. This new life is accomplished by symbolically entering into the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection. While the sacrament forgives sin, it also calls us to live a life worthy of a child who is invited to become part of God's kingdom.

B- What do the Principal Symbols of Baptism Signify? 1- Water : Baptism means “washing”. In the early church the person was immersed in a pool of water. While that is an option today, it is more common for the priest to pour water over the forehead of the person while he recites the formula of baptism. Besides cleansing, water symbolizes destruction and death. Baptismal water means the death of an old life to sin. In baptism we are reborn into a new life with Jesus Christ. Original sin is washed away, and we inherit eternal life as adopted children of God.

2- Oil: Oil heals and protects. It was also used to anoint kings and queens. The anointing with oil in baptism reminds us that the Lord extends salvation to us and

Page 1 of 5 Baptism & Confirmation Form – St. Charbel’s Church, Punchbowl

sends his Spirit to protect and strengthen us. The root meaning of the word “Christ” is "the anointed one”. The chrism, or oil of baptism, symbolizes what we have been "Christ-ed,” that we share in the life of Jesus Christ. We become the anointed of the Anointed One. The new identity brings new responsibilities. Adopted daughters and sons of a loving Father.

3- White Garments : In the early Church, Christians customarily put on new white robes when they emerged from the baptismal pool. Today a white cloth serves the same symbolic function. By putting on a symbol of purity, festivity and a new identity, the newly baptised person shows a willingness to live a new life in union with the Lord. At St. Charbel’s Parish, it is preferable to dress up your child in their Christening gown at home and not at the Church.

C- What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation. Along with baptism and Eucharist, confirmation brings to completion the making of a Christian. It is the seal of baptism, a celebration of the gifts of the Holy Spirit received through the Sacraments of the Church.

Parental Consent: We the parents request that our child receive the Sacrament of Baptism.

We understand that Baptism establishes a bond between our child and God and thereby links our child with all others who are his followers.

We understand that Baptism initiates our child into the community of believers who follow Jesus Christ and that community on the local level is the Parish Church Community.

Our request for lawful baptism implies that we as parents wish our child to be raised believing and living the values of that Christian community called the Catholic Church which says, "It is required that there be a well-founded hope that the child will be brought up in the Catholic religion. If such is truly lacking, that Baptism is to be deferred and the parents advised of the reason for this".

As members of that Church we believe all that Christ taught us, and we wish to pass on to our child the faith that is ours, and so we will try and set an example of true Catholic living.

We know that the Church encourages parents to promote prayer at home and obliges them to attend Mass on Sundays as an integral part of their Catholic lifestyle.

We understand that the Baptism of our child is the first step in a lifetime of faith and that in due time our child will mature through the reception of other sacraments such as: Reconciliation and Eucharist.

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PARENT’S SIGNATURE: ________________________

DATE: ________________________

Please fill out the following information and return this form to the Church before the date of Baptism

CHILD’S DETAILSFamily Name:Child’s Christian Name:Date of Birth:

Place of Birth:

CONTACT DETAILSTelephone: Mobile:

Fax: Email:

ADDRESSStreet: Suburb:State: Postcode:

FATHER’S DETAILSFather’s Name: Date of Birth:Country of Birth: Occupation:Husband’s Marital Status:

At Present: Married Separated Remarried Divorced Widowed

Husband’s Religion:Village of Origin in Lebanon (Father):Family Registered in Lebanon:

Yes No

Place and Number of Registry in Lebanon: (If Available)

MOTHER’S DETAILSPage 3 of 5 Baptism & Confirmation Form – St. Charbel’s Church, Punchbowl

Mother’s Name/ Maiden Surname:

Date of Birth:

Country of Birth: Occupation:

Mother’s Marital Status:

At Present: Married Separated Remarried Divorced Widowed

Mother’s Religion:Place of Marriage:

GODPARENTS (Should be over 18 years old and at least one, if not both should be Catholic)Godfather’s Full Name:

Religion:

Godmother’s Full Name:

Religion:

Godparent’s role: They are the Church’s official representatives at the celebration. They are responsible, with the parents, for the religious formation of the child. They should be ready to help the parents in this task.

OTHER CHILDRENName Gender DOB Baptised at

St. Charbel’s Church

Church

1.3

1

Male Female

Yes No

2.4

2

Male Female

Yes No

3.5

3

Male Female

Yes No

4.6

4

Male Female

Yes No

5.7

5

Male Female

Yes No

6.8

6

Male Female

Yes No

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God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen.

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