Sacraments & Rites

BAPTISM
​Baptism is the first sacrament and marks the start of your child’s membership into God’s family. It is the beginning of the Christian life.  Through Baptism we are ‘reborn’ as sons and daughters of God.
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When parents ask to have their children baptised, they undertake the responsibility of instructing and guiding them in the practice of the Catholic faith and bringing them up to keep God’s commandments.  Whether or not your children grow up to know and follow Christ is your responsibility as well as your children’s Godparents and other family members. Only by your words and example will your children grow strong as active members of the Church.  

Baptism is about being made a member of the community of faith.  It is not a private family occasion and therefore, baptisms are conducted after Sunday mass, usually with several other families.  For all baptism bookings and preparation bookings please complete the Baptism Booking Form.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME
​FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION AND RECONCILIATION
Families with children in Grade 4, or who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation, are invited to enrol in the Preparation for First Holy Communion and Reconciliation. Registration closes on Friday 5th February.  A Parents Information Evening will be held at 5pm on Wednesday 10th February, at OLOF.  For more information click on the button below or email the parish acaciaridge@bne.catholic.net.au.  To enrol please complete the enrolment form and return it to the parish office.  
MARRIAGE
Entering into marriage is one of the biggest decisions anybody makes in his or her lifetime. The Church strongly recommends that couples undertake some kind of formal preparation for marriage to help them understand the nature of marriage and the many human complexities of married life.​

The question of where to hold the wedding is an important one which couples need to talk about together. Sometimes couples want to be married in a church because of social pressure or family tradition. These are not sufficient reasons in themselves for choosing a church wedding.   A church is the appropriate venue for the marriage of those who believe in Christ and who wish to celebrate publicly God’s blessing of their union.