The sacrament of Baptism is the first sacrament we receive and is the beginning of our involvement in a community of faith. We become a child of God at Baptism. Because this sacrament is so important, there are preparations that must be made for it.
1) The parish requires a minimum of two months in order to complete the preparations before the Rite is performed. It is necessary that parents plan accordingly especially if guests are coming from out of town to celebrate this Rite.
2) The parents select godparents, one man and one woman, to stand for their child in the Rite.
3) The parents and godparents participate in a pre-baptismal class which takes place several weeks before the baptism. (Available in English & Spanish)
4) The parents present the church with all the necessary personal information for the baptism, including a copy of the birth certificate.
5) The godparents present documentation from their home parish which verifies:
a) They are actively practicing Catholics who have been baptized;
b) They have received Confirmation and Holy Eucharist, have been married in the Church, are not divorced and remarried;
c) They are at least sixteen years of age or older;
d) They may not be the parents of the child to be baptized.
Children seven years of age or older, who have not been baptized, must begin the RCIA process (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) in order to be baptized. They will receive all three sacraments of initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist, at the same time at the Easter Vigil. This process may take from one to three years depending on the age of the individual,
The members of the Church take great joy in the baptism of a child, regardless of age. We wish to assist the parents and godparents in making this a wonderful, joyous occasion as this child enters the community of faith at Most Holy Name of Jesus. Please help us by planning for your child’s baptism with the dignity that this important first sacrament deserves.
In order to begin the planning of a baptism, call the DRE at 347-9989.
The parish requires a minimum of two months to prepare for a baptism.