Prep them well for VCE

Chaplaincy - Spiritual Services

Baptism 

Baptism is a sacrament where God is at work, an outward and visible sign of the inward and invisible action in which God engages, as the person being baptised makes promises in the way that they seek to live and are then “washed” in the waters of baptism. This marks the beginning of a new relationship with God and the person who has been baptised.

Baptism, at its most practical level, means gaining membership to the Church.  Baptism is a sacrament where God is at work, an outward and visible sign of the inward and invisible action in which God engages, as the person being baptised makes promises in the way that they seek to live and are then “washed” in the waters of baptism. This marks the beginning of a new relationship with God and the person who has been baptised (Anglican Archdiocese of Melbourne, 2022).

 We begin our Christian journey by being baptised with water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We are brought into a new and intimate relationship with God the Father by the coming of Jesus Christ and through the work of the Holy Spirit. The God we know and worship is Father, Son and Spirit: one God in three persons; the Holy Trinity. Baptism shall take place by immersing a person in water or by pouring water upon the candidate and by pronouncing the words, "I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Children, parents, Old Collegians and staff may be baptised by Senior Chaplain, Reverend Dr Theo van der Nest.

Parents who wish their children to be baptised, are encouraged to complete this form to request a Baptism. 

Admission to Holy Communion and Confirmation

Being admitted to Holy Communion is an important step on our spiritual journey with God. Holy Communion is about participation in the life of the Church by partaking fully in the celebration of the Eucharist, and we reverently embrace this sacrament at Overnewton.

In confirmation, the candidate confirms the promises made (usually on their behalf when they were an infant) at their baptism. While confirmation is not strictly speaking a sacrament, it is still required to be a fully communicant member of the Anglican Church.

Confirmees may be sponsored by a member of the Anglican parish in which they are to be confirmed, but this is not mandatory. Preparation for confirmation usually involves instruction by the parish priest, and confirmation is carried out by the bishop and usually within the context of a service of the Eucharist. In the past people usually wore white for confirmation, but this is no longer expected.

We invite students to join the School's Admission to Holy Communion program. As this is a celebratory service for the entire family, siblings from other schools who are not already baptised or admitted to Holy Communion are welcome to participate in the program. 

Preparation will be taken by Senior Chaplain Reverend Dr Theo van der Nest

Please complete this form to make an application for Admission to Holy Communion and Confirmation.