The Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism is a Sacrament of Initiation. Baptism incorporates us into the Church and gives us rebirth as sons and daughters of God. The Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether we are baptized as infants of adults, Baptism is the Church’s way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God. If you are an unbaptized adult, please contact the OCIA program.
During the Rite of Baptism, parents promise to raise their child in the faith, to teach him/her to keep
God’s commandments, and to show him/her how to love God and neighbor. Baptism is the beginning of a lifelong journey of growing in faith and building a relationship with Jesus. Parents are the child’s first catechists (teachers of the faith) and will be the ones to first pray with the child. Godparents make a similar promise, to assist the parents in this duty.
The Church community is here to further help you and your child as they journey through life, to know Jesus, to be prepared for and receive sacraments throughout his/her life.
Steps to preparing for your child’s Baptism
1.Parents attend a Baptism Preparation Class:
If you have attended this class in person within the last three years, you are not required to attend again, though you may if you wish. Class is offered on select Mondays, Tuesdays or Sundays through out the year. They are held in the Ministries building on week nights or in the church on Sundays. It is ideal if both parents to attend the class, but we understand if circumstances make it so that only one parent may attend. Children are welcome to attend with you. We especially encourage children to attend if they are preparing for Baptism. Register for the next class now.
2.Parents select Sponsors:
You must select at least one. If you select two, one must be female and the other male. At least one must meet the requirements of Godparent (over the age of 16, fully initiated Catholic (baptized, received the Eucharist, and been confirmed), single or if married must be married in the church by a priest or deacon, and an active, participating member of his/her parish). The second Sponsor may also meet the requirements of Godparent, or may be a Christian Witness if they are a baptized Christian but do not meet the Godparent requirements. If the Godparent(s) attend church somewhere other than Our Lady of Lourdes, they will need to fill out a Godparent Eligibility Form and have it signed by their parish priest.
3.Complete Baptism Registration Form.
4.Contact our director of Faith Formation.
Policies and Procedures
- Parents generally have their children baptized in the parish where they themselves are registered, participating members.
- In the case of separation or divorce, a notarized letter is required from the other parent, consenting to the Baptism.
- Baptisms are not celebrated during Lent, at a Mass already scheduled for another family’s Baptism, Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day.
- Baptisms can be celebrated during or after Mass with any of our clergy members.
- You may request a specific clergy member to celebrate your child’s Baptism. You will need to provide a few days or times and we will schedule based on their availability.
- The Baptism of older children (7 years of age or older), teens, or adults follows the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).
FAQ
- Why select Sponsors/Godparents? As Catholics, we select Godparents for our children to assist us in raising our children in the faith. Godparents must be practicing Catholics so that they can be a witness of the faith, a role model of how to lead a Sacramental life, and help the child grow in understanding of the Church’s teachings.
- What is a Christian Witness? Members of other Christian churches may serve as a Christian Witness as long as there is also one eligible Godparent.
- I am not married in the Catholic Church. Can I have my child baptized? Parents do not need to be married in the Catholic Church to have their child baptized. If you are interested in getting married in the church or having your civil marriage convalidated (made valid) in the church, we would be happy to help with that process.
- Can I have a Baptism during the week? Yes, it is possible to schedule a Baptism to take place during or after the 12:05pm weekday Mass. This would depend on the availability of our priests and deacons.
