Baptism

 “A New Creation”        

“Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte ‘a new creature,’ an adopted son of God, who has become a ‘partaker of the divine nature,’ member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit. The Most Holy
Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:

• enabling them to believe in God, to hope in him and to love him through the theological virtues;
• giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit;
• allowing them to grow in goodness though the moral virtues. Thus the whole organism of the Christian’s supernatural life has its roots in Baptism.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1265-1266

“Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ: ‘Therefore . . . we are members one of another.’(Eph 4:25) Baptism incorporates us into the Church. From the baptismal font is born the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or human limits of nations, cultures, races, and sexes: ‘For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” (1 Cor 12:13)

Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 1267

How to Register for Baptism Classes:

Parents are required to register for Baptism classes by calling the church office at least two months before the tentative Baptism date.  These classes may be taken before the birth of the child and arrangements made for Baptism at a later time.  It is required that godparents also attend classes. 

For the baptism of an infant, it is necessary that there be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic faith. If such a hope is altogether lacking, the baptism should wait.

Sponsors:

• Be designated as sponsor and have the qualifications and intention of performing this role.
• Be at least 16 years old.
• Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the sacrament of the Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and role to be undertaken.
• If married, married in the Catholic Church.
• Has to be a minimum of one godparent, maximum of two. If it is two godparents, it must be one male and one female.
• Not be the father or mother of the one being baptized.

Classes:

• Phone the parish office to register.
• Classes are usually 2nd & 3rd Sunday once every 3 months
• beginning at 2:00 pm and lasting approximately 2 hours.
• Both father and mother are expected to attend.
• Sponsors are encouraged to attend the baptism classes.

Scheduling:

• If the infant has already been born, once you have attended the baptismal class you can call the Office and arrange a date for your child’s baptism.
• There are no baptisms during the season of Lent.