Baptisms are normally celebrated on weekends in the Nambucca Valley Parish at 11.00am (or during any of our weekend Masses).
PREPARATION – All parents wishing to have their children (aged newborn up to and including 6 years) baptised are REQUIRED to attend a baptism course. We conduct one in the parish every last Thursday of the month at 7pm at St Patrick’s Church, Macksville. In winter time, the course normally starts earlier. Bookings are essential. Please ring the parish office to book.
If you live out of the area, you are asked to contact your local parish and attend a course there. We then require a letter from your home parish confirming your attendance. Once this is done please contact us and we will forward a Baptismal Registration Form to be filled in.
ADOLESCENTS (7 years to 17 years) wishing to be baptised into the Catholic Church, or wishing to become Catholic and are already baptised into another Christian Church, undergo a special course called the Rite Of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC). To become part of this program or to find out more information please contact the Parish Office. If currently enrolled in our Catholic primary schools, kindly discuss with the school’s principal.
ADULTS – Adults (18 years old and above) wishing to be baptised into the Catholic Church, or wishing to become Catholic and are already baptised into another Christian Church, undergo a special course called the Rite Of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). To become part of this program or to find out more information please contact the Parish Office.
GODPARENTS – Godparents must be fully initiated members of the Catholic Church, i.e. baptised, confirmed and regularly receive Holy Communion, and be over the age of 16. Proof of Christian Initiation will be required. Only two Godparents are permitted as per Canon Law.
PAYMENT – You are not required to pay for Baptism in the Nambucca Valley Parish. If you would like to make a donation you can put the donation in an envelope and hand it to the Priest on the day.