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Baptism
Sacrament of Baptism
The first of the seven sacraments, 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 dies for our sins and rose for our justification. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist make up the "sacraments of initiation" by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sins, 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 in immersing the candidate in water, or pouring water on the head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. ~CCC Glossary
Why have your child baptized?
By having their child baptized, the parent(s) are making the decision, the commitment, to raise their child in the faith. The sacrament opens the door for salvation to be experienced and to be claimed as a child of God.
The parent(s) serve as first teacher(s) of the faith and should take that responsibility seriously, both at home and out in the community. The faith should be demonstrated at all times, and worked into the family life as much as any other part of the family life.
Once a child is baptized, Religious Education classes should not be the next and only encounter with the faith.
Following the Baptism it is important to celebrate the child’s baptism. Remember its date and celebrate it as a family each year. Immediately following the baptism, bless the child each night with Holy Water as a reminder of their baptism, and even light the candle received each year, even if just for a moment, to recall the child receiving the light of Christ.
Baptism, the cleansing with water by the power of the living word, washes away every stain of sin, original and personal, and makes us sharers in God’s own life and his adopted children. ~Rite of Baptism 5
Godparents
When picking the Godparents for your child, ask yourself who is/are the best possible example(s) of the faith for your child. If your child was learning a vocation as an electrician you wouldn’t want them to learn from a plumber, right? So too with the faith; pick someone you know will be a true example. This can be difficult because we often want to pick family or a close friend, “just because,” but just because someone is your brother/sister, doesn’t mean they are the right choice for being a Godparent.
Must there be two Godparents?
In certain circumstances sometimes two suitable godparents is not possible. In these unique circumstances one godparent is appropriate with a second person serving as a “Christian Witness,” as they possess faith-filled qualities that would be desirable for a child to grow up around.
Requirements for Godparents
Godparents should “be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on.” {Can. 874.3}
Additionally:
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Be in good standing with the Church {Can 874.4}
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Not a biological parent to the child to be baptized {Can. 874.5}
*A letter will be needed for a godparent from his/her pastor stating they are able to serve as godparent, if baptism is taking place at a church that is not that of the godparent.
**Christian witnesses may be asked to provide a letter proving baptism.
Scheduling a Baptism
Baptisms may be scheduled at any Mass chosen by the family or at another time agreeable with the pastor outside of Mass.
Traditionally baptisms do not take place during the season of Lent (Ash Wednesday to Good Friday).
