Baptism

Baptism

Congratulations! You are seeking Baptism for your child, or perhaps even for yourself.

There are different instances in which Baptism is sought:

  • Infant Baptism– for an infant or young child (up to age 7, through the 1st grade)
  • Baptism for Older Children – for a child 7 years or older,  in 2nd through 8th grades
  • RCIA – for adults and teens (high school and above)

We ask that families presenting their children for baptism be registered members of our parish for three months prior to scheduling baptism.  If you have not yet had the chance to register, you can do so by clicking here. After registering, or if you are already a registered parishioner, then print the  BAPTISM REGISTRATION FORM and complete the form.

INFANT BAPTISM— for an infant or young child (up to age 7, through the 1st grade)

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Preparation Session There is one preparation session that we ask parents to attend on the Saturday morning of the Baptism weekend, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. This session provides a theological overview of the sacrament of baptism, the rights and responsibilities of the parents, and concludes with a practice explaining the signs and symbols used in the Rite of Baptism.

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Celebration of Baptism We celebrate Baptism during six weekends per year. The Saturday 5:30 p.m. Mass is for infants and older children, especially for families with more than one child to baptize and/or are Spanish-speaking (this is generally a bilingual mass). Baptism for older children is celebrated during the Sunday 8:30 a.m. mass, with baptism for infants celebrated during the Sunday 11:00 a.m. Mass.  E-mail to schedule a baptism date and time.

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Celebration of a Baptismal Godparent/Sponsor                       

  • Have completed their sixteenth year unless the pastor makes an exception for a just cause.
  • Be fully initiated Catholics who lead lives in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken (been baptized, Confirmed, and received First Eucharist in the Catholic Church).
  • Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared (i.e., if married, been married in the Catholic Church by a priest or deacon).
  • Not be the father or mother of the child being baptized.
  • A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic Christian community may be admitted only as a witness to baptism and together with a Catholic godparent/sponsor.
  • For children and infants, parents generally choose two godparents – one male and one female. However, Canon Law requires only one godparent. One of the godparents must be a practicing Catholic (see qualifications question above). (Adapted from the Code of Canon Law c. 873 and 874)

BAPTISM FOR OLDER CHILDREN – for a child 7 years or older, in 2nd through 8th grades

We congratulate you on your decision to have your older child baptized. Because they have reached the “age of reason”, defined in Canon Law as age 7 or older, they are to have a period of instruction preceding their Baptism that gives them an understanding of the fundamentals of our faith. They also have a right to participate in the decision to be baptized. Older children will be Baptized, Confirmed, and celebrate their First Eucharist all at once.

  • We ask all families to attend Mass weekly with their children to be baptized.
  • We ask all families to enroll children to be baptized in a special Christian Initiation process held on Sunday mornings 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.. This class presents an overview of our Catholic faith and familiar Catholic prayers and practices.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process through which interested adults and teens (14 yrs. and older) are gradually introduced to the Roman Catholic faith and way of life. The RCIA process is a period of reflection, prayer, instruction, discernment, and formation. The process generally takes one year or more (there is no set time to complete this process of faith) with the celebration of baptism occurring during the Easter Vigil (the Saturday evening before Easter).  Those who enter the process are expected to:

  • Attend Mass on Sunday
  • Attend a weekly RCIA session (Thursday evenings, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.)
  • Become involved in the activities of our parish