Baptism

Baptism is the first of the sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church. It makes us adopted children of God, incorporates us into Christ, pardons all our sin, and forms us into God’s people. It confers a permanent relationship (“character”) with Christ that lasts even should one cease to be an active member of the Catholic community. For this reason, a validly baptized Christian is never re-baptized and has the right to a Christian funeral.

Bishops, priests, and deacons are the ordinary ministers of baptism. Although anyone with the right intention may administer the sacrament in case of imminent death. The words for conferring baptism in the Latin Church are: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”.

Parents of infants are urged to get them baptized as soon as possible, in order to set them free from the guilt of original sin and to give them a new birth in Christ. Adults, teenagers, and young children who have attained the age of reason (approximately seven years and older) can also be baptized; or, if they have been validly baptized outside of the Catholic Church, they can be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. 

You may  obtain a copy of the Baptisimal Package from the Church office. Upon submission of the “Request for Baptism” form, please allow for up to 3 to 6 months for an anticipated Baptismal date which is given only after the parents attend the Baptismal Preparation Class. This long lead time is due to the very large number of baptismal requests.