Baptism

Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments, and the "door" which gives access to the other sacraments. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the "sacraments of initiation" by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ. The rite of Baptism consists of pouring water on the head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Catholic Parents may request the Sacrament of Baptism for their child. Baptisms are celebrated for registered, regularly participating members of our parish community. Please contact the parish office and an appointment will be arranged to meet with the priest and complete the required preparation. Adults who seek the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are invited to contact the parish office for information on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

Choosing Godparents
The custom of having sponsors for baptism is most ancient. The more common terms are godfather, godmother and godparents.

An infant to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who, together with the parents, presents him or her for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.

In the baptism of children, the sponsor(s) should be present to be added spiritually to the immediate family of the one to be baptized and to represent Mother Church. When occasion arises, he/she will be ready to help the parents bring up their child to profess the faith and to show this by living it.

A person may have one or two sponsors (godparents). There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each if there are two.

To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:
1. Be a baptized Catholic;
2. Be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or guardian, or in their absence, by the pastor, and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;
3. Have completed sixteen years of age;
4. Be a practicing Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the sacrament of the Eucharist and who lives in fact as a Christian;
5. Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
6. Not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized;

Click here to view a short video for godparents. It goes through the responsibilities of a godparent, and gives the Catholic Church’s requirements to qualify as a godparent. Sponsors do not merely undertake a responsibility for the Christian education of the person being baptized as a relation or a friend; they are also there as representatives of a community of faith, standing as guarantees of the candidate’s faith and desire for ecclesial communion.