Baptism
Infant Baptism Preparation
We provide a baptism preparation class that you can attend either before or after the birth of your first child. Baptismal preparation classes are scheduled through the office and must take place at least 30 days prior to the date of baptism. For parents and godparents whose child will be baptized at another church, a letter of attendance will be given at the class. This class does not necessarily need to be repeated for subsequent children. After attending a baptism preparation session, you can arrange the date for your child's baptism, allowing 30 days for the baptism to be scheduled. Baptisms are celebrated as a community at the Saturday or Sunday liturgies. However we understand sometimes there are special circumstances. If that is the case for you, please ask us to arrange a private baptism.
If you are going to serve as a sponsor for baptism at another church and need a letter, please call or e-mail the parish office. Baptismal Certificates can also be obtained by contacting the office.
Preparación para el Bautismo de Infantes
Ofrecemos una clase de preparación para el bautismo a la que puede asistir antes o después del nacimiento de su primer hijo. Las clases de preparación bautismal se programan a través de la oficina y deben realizarse al menos 30 días antes de la fecha del bautismo. Para los padres y padrinos cuyo niño será bautizado en otra iglesia, se entregará una carta de asistencia al finalizar la clase. Esta clase no necesariamente debe repetirse para hijos posteriores. Después de asistir a una sesión de preparación para el bautismo, podrá coordinar la fecha del bautismo de su hijo, permitiendo 30 días para que el bautismo sea programado. Los bautismos se celebran en comunidad durante las liturgias del sábado o del domingo. Sin embargo, entendemos que a veces hay circunstancias especiales. Si ese es su caso, por favor pida que organicemos un bautismo privado.
Si va a servir como padrino o madrina en otra iglesia y necesita una carta, por favor llame o envíe un correo electrónico a la oficina parroquial. Los certificados de bautismo también pueden obtenerse comunicándose con la oficina.
Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God
without being born of water and Spirit. (John 3:5)
The sacrament of baptism ushers us into the divine life, cleanses us from sin, and initiates us as members of the Christian community. It is the foundation for the sacramental life.
At baptism, the presider prays over the water:
Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give to this water the grace of your Son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit. (Christian Initiation of Adults, #222A)
Freed From Sin
Baptism frees us from the bondage of original and actual sin. Water is poured in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Today, the sacrament of baptism is often performed on infants, shortly after birth. Adult baptisms take place at the Easter Vigil through the restored Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Adults or children who have been baptized in a valid Christian church are not baptized again in the Catholic church. As we say in the Nicene Creed, “I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins…”
The Catechism teaches:
"The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ" (CCC 1279).
Baptismal Symbols
Water – The waters of baptism recall Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Water is a symbol of cleansing and renewal as we begin a new life in Christ. We are washed clean of sin.
Oil – At baptism we are anointed into the life of Christ as “priest, prophet and king.” A cross is traced on the candidate’s forehead as a reminder that we are inheritors of the Kingdom of God.
Light – The baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal or Easter candle that stands in the church as a sign of Christ’s light in the world. At baptism, we receive the light of Christ and are called forth to share this light with the world.
White Garment – The white garment that is placed upon us at baptism is a symbol of Christ’s victory over death and his glorious resurrection. Likewise, the white garment or pall that is placed over the coffin at the time of death recalls our baptismal promises and reminds us that we are destined for eternal life.
While in ordinary circumstances, sacraments in the Catholic Church are administered validly by a member of the ordained clergy, in an emergency situation, the sacrament of baptism can be administered by anyone.
In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pour water on the candidate’s head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1284).