The Sacrament Of Baptism

“I have called you by name and you are mine…” Isaiah 43:1

Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation. The other two are the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Baptism is the beginning of your child’s life with Christ, Confirmation is his or her strengthening and the Eucharist nourishes your child with Christ’s Body and Blood for his or her transformation with Christ.

A Godparent can be either a man or woman. If two godparents are chosen, one must be male and the other female. At least one Godparent must be a fully initiated Roman Catholic who is free to celebrate the sacraments. A fully initiated Roman Catholic is one who has received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist in their own lives. A baptized non-Catholic Christian can be chosen as a Christian witness, provided there is at least one Catholic godparent.

By having your child baptized, your child will be born into a new life in Christ. The essential rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water on his or her head, while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (see Matthew 28:19–20). Water is the sign of life and purification.

The fruits of Baptism are the forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins (if any), and the birth of a new life. The person baptized becomes an adopted son or daughter of God, a member of Christ, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a member of Christ’s body, the Church and a sharer in Christ’s priesthood. One who has not received baptism cannot be validly admitted to other sacraments.

Baptisms are held during the Saturday Vigil Liturgy at 4: 00 p.m. or Sunday 9:30 a.m.  Liturgy and at other times by request. Parents are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation Class before the Baptism is celebration.

Adults interested in Baptism or in learning more about how to be Catholic are invited to join the program entitled the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Classes are offered in English. Please contact the parish office for details.