PREPARATION FOR SACRAMENTS 2025
We welcome expressions of interest for catechesis classes to prepare children for the sacraments of Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. If your child has reached seven years of age, you are welcome to register via the form below. Please mention in the comment box which sacrament/s you are registering your child for. Candidates for Confirmation need to be Grade 6 and above. Enquiries to the parish office – email, or phone 9878 6597.
Catechesis classes in 2025 are likely to be at the following times:
Penance & First Holy Communion: Saturdays 12.30pm - 2.00pm
Confirmation: Sundays 9.30am - 10.25am
We welcome expressions of interest for catechesis classes to prepare children for the sacraments of Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. If your child has reached seven years of age, you are welcome to register via the form below. Please mention in the comment box which sacrament/s you are registering your child for. Candidates for Confirmation need to be Grade 6 and above. Enquiries to the parish office – email, or phone 9878 6597.
Catechesis classes in 2025 are likely to be at the following times:
Penance & First Holy Communion: Saturdays 12.30pm - 2.00pm
Confirmation: Sundays 9.30am - 10.25am
Sacraments
Baptism
Parents seeking to have their child baptised at St. Philip’s need to make themselves known to Fr. Dillon after one of the Sunday Masses (Vigil Saturday 7.00pm; Sunday 8.30am & 10.30am) and request an enrolment form.
Baptisms are normally celebrated after the 10.30am Mass on the first Sunday of the month. Parents need to attend a Baptismal preparation meeting prior to the Baptism day. This meeting is to be arranged with Fr. Dillon.
Parents are encouraged to have their children baptised in their own parishes; At St. Philip’s, baptisms for families outside the parish are done only in extraordinary circumstances. Written permission from the parish priest of their residential parish must be obtained for the baptism to take place at St Philip’s Church.
Adults seeking Baptism should contact Fr. Dillon to arrange a time to meet.
Who can be a sponsor (godparent) at Baptism?
- A person to be baptised is always assisted by a sponsor (godparent) at the celebration. A sponsor also helps the baptised person to lead a Christian life in keeping with the promises made at Baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations that are part of it.
- There is only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.
To take on the role of sponsor a person must:
- Be designated by the one to be baptised, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;
- Have completed the sixteenth year of age;
- Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;
- Not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.
A baptised person who belongs to a non-Catholic community participates only with a Catholic sponsor and is a Christian witness of the Baptism. One who is not baptised cannot stand as witness at Baptism.
Confession, First Holy Communion and Confirmation
One of the joys and most important aspects of Parish life is the celebration of the sacraments. The purpose of the sacraments is to make us holy, to build up the Body of Christ by our participating in the life of the Church, and to give worship to God. They also nourish, strengthen, and express our faith.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us:
The sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist - lay the foundations of every Christian life. … By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they … receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity. (CCC 1212).
At St Philip’s Parish, all children presented to receive the sacraments are expected to attend the sessions of catechesis provided by the Parish catechists, and also to participate in the Parish with attendance at Sunday Mass. Children in Grade 3 and above may be presented for First Confession & First Holy Communion; children in Grade 6 and above for Confirmation.
Marriage
Couples wanting to get married are encouraged to marry in their local parish. If marrying at St Philip’s, at least six month's notice is
required and copies of birth and baptismal certificates need to be supplied. Bookings for the church should be made well in advance and this can be done by contacting Fr. Dillon.
Couples are required to take part in a Marriage preparation programme prior to their wedding. This should be discussed with Fr. Dillon.
Catholic Funeral
When a loved one dies, the family of the deceased should contact an undertaker who will then liaise with the Parish Office re availability of the priest and church. Fr. Dillon will then meet with the family to coordinate the Funeral rites. This may include vigil prayers, a viewing or a rosary the evening before the Funeral Mass. The selection of appropriate Readings, Hymns and words of tribute will be made. The undertaker will assist you with the aspects of the funeral that relate to the care of the deceased's body. The liturgical aspects and anything that takes place in the Church must be arranged with the Parish Priest.
Musicians: Organists and singers for the funeral are organised through the Parish.
St Philip’s does not allow playing of recorded music nor DVD tributes and powerpoint presentations in the church.
Anointing of the Sick
Whenever a family member is confined to bed for a lengthy time through illness, or cannot get to Mass due to reduced mobility, it is appropriate to ask a priest to visit. When appropriate he may administer the Anointing of the Sick. Arrangements can be made for regular visits. Give the parish a call on (03) 9878 6597 to arrange for Fr. Dillon to make a home visit.
Baptism
Parents seeking to have their child baptised at St. Philip’s need to make themselves known to Fr. Dillon after one of the Sunday Masses (Vigil Saturday 7.00pm; Sunday 8.30am & 10.30am) and request an enrolment form.
Baptisms are normally celebrated after the 10.30am Mass on the first Sunday of the month. Parents need to attend a Baptismal preparation meeting prior to the Baptism day. This meeting is to be arranged with Fr. Dillon.
Parents are encouraged to have their children baptised in their own parishes; At St. Philip’s, baptisms for families outside the parish are done only in extraordinary circumstances. Written permission from the parish priest of their residential parish must be obtained for the baptism to take place at St Philip’s Church.
Adults seeking Baptism should contact Fr. Dillon to arrange a time to meet.
Who can be a sponsor (godparent) at Baptism?
- A person to be baptised is always assisted by a sponsor (godparent) at the celebration. A sponsor also helps the baptised person to lead a Christian life in keeping with the promises made at Baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations that are part of it.
- There is only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.
To take on the role of sponsor a person must:
- Be designated by the one to be baptised, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;
- Have completed the sixteenth year of age;
- Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;
- Not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.
A baptised person who belongs to a non-Catholic community participates only with a Catholic sponsor and is a Christian witness of the Baptism. One who is not baptised cannot stand as witness at Baptism.
Confession, First Holy Communion and Confirmation
One of the joys and most important aspects of Parish life is the celebration of the sacraments. The purpose of the sacraments is to make us holy, to build up the Body of Christ by our participating in the life of the Church, and to give worship to God. They also nourish, strengthen, and express our faith.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us:
The sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist - lay the foundations of every Christian life. … By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they … receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity. (CCC 1212).
At St Philip’s Parish, all children presented to receive the sacraments are expected to attend the sessions of catechesis provided by the Parish catechists, and also to participate in the Parish with attendance at Sunday Mass. Children in Grade 3 and above may be presented for First Confession & First Holy Communion; children in Grade 6 and above for Confirmation.
Marriage
Couples wanting to get married are encouraged to marry in their local parish. If marrying at St Philip’s, at least six month's notice is
required and copies of birth and baptismal certificates need to be supplied. Bookings for the church should be made well in advance and this can be done by contacting Fr. Dillon.
Couples are required to take part in a Marriage preparation programme prior to their wedding. This should be discussed with Fr. Dillon.
Catholic Funeral
When a loved one dies, the family of the deceased should contact an undertaker who will then liaise with the Parish Office re availability of the priest and church. Fr. Dillon will then meet with the family to coordinate the Funeral rites. This may include vigil prayers, a viewing or a rosary the evening before the Funeral Mass. The selection of appropriate Readings, Hymns and words of tribute will be made. The undertaker will assist you with the aspects of the funeral that relate to the care of the deceased's body. The liturgical aspects and anything that takes place in the Church must be arranged with the Parish Priest.
Musicians: Organists and singers for the funeral are organised through the Parish.
St Philip’s does not allow playing of recorded music nor DVD tributes and powerpoint presentations in the church.
Anointing of the Sick
Whenever a family member is confined to bed for a lengthy time through illness, or cannot get to Mass due to reduced mobility, it is appropriate to ask a priest to visit. When appropriate he may administer the Anointing of the Sick. Arrangements can be made for regular visits. Give the parish a call on (03) 9878 6597 to arrange for Fr. Dillon to make a home visit.
