Baptism

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 candidates head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1284).


 The registration for the baptism are held in the church office. The office is open Monday to Thursday, please register one month ahead of the date you wish to baptize. At the time of registration the child's birth certificate is requested, in hand with the certificate of Confirmation of the Godparent who is single, If it is a couple the certificate of their marriage of the Catholic Church is requested. There is a $100.00 donation per child. The preparation class and baptism are given on the same day. The preparation commences at 8:00 a.m. in the church and is followed by the baptisms.


 Godparent Guidelines: If the Godparents are married, they must be married in the Catholic Church. However, a single person may be a godparent as long as he/she is at least 16 years of age, is actively practicing their faith, has completed his/her sacraments (i.e.; Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation), and is either living with his/her parents or living as a single person (i.e.; not living with another person without the benefit of marriage). The Sacrament Certificates are requested at time of registration.


 Both Parents and Godparents must participate in our baptism preparation class. At the moment for the interest of everyone, Parents and Godparents baptizing in our church are the only ones given preparation class at 8:00a.m.


 The Baptism ceremony is followed by the class that commences at 8:00 a.m.


 Things to bring the day of baptism: The child being baptized will need a baptismal candle and white garment (baptism bib or stole.) These items can be purchases at any local religious good stores.


For the dates for the year 2024, in a printer friendly form click here.

To print form to register for a baptism click here.

Registrations are only taken at the parish office, please bring the required information with you, otherwise we will not accept registrations without documentation. Thank you.


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 candidates head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1284).

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