A new creature

 “Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte ‘a new creature,’ an adopted son of God, who has become a ‘partaker of the divine nature,’ member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit. The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:

• enabling them to believe in God, to hope in him and to love him through the theological virtues;
• giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit;
• allowing them to grow in goodness though the moral virtues. Thus the whole organism of the Christian’s supernatural life has its roots in Baptism.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1265-1266

Pre-Baptism Meeting

Parents are asked to call the office and schedule a meeting with the pastor before they attend class. For the baptism of an infant, it is necessary that there be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic faith. If such a hope is altogether lacking, the baptism should wait.

Qualifications and role of a Catholic godparent (also known as a sponsor)

1.  Only one Godfather or one Godmother or one of each (Canon 873).
2.  To help the baptized person to lead a Catholic Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it (Canon 872).    

-  A mature Catholic who will establish a lifelong faith relationship and be willing to walk with the child in their faith journey.
-  A Catholic role model for the child.

3.  A Catholic who is at least 16 years old (Canon 874, §1, 2°) and has received already the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on (Canon 874, §1, 3°).  
4.  Be a practicing Catholic who attends Mass regularly.
5.  Knows, understands and participates in the Catholic Church community.
6.  If the Godparent is married, the marriage must be a valid and recognized marriage in the Catholic Church.
7.  Cannot be the father or mother of the one to be baptized (Canon 874, §1, 5°).
8.  Only with a Catholic Godparent can a baptized, non-Catholic person serve as a Christian witness of the baptism (Canon 874, §2).

-  A Catholic who lacks the requirements to be a Godparent or a Catholic who is now practicing a non-Catholic faith cannot serve as a Christian witness.

Classes

• After the interview, phone the parish office to register. There are 2 classes: 1^st – sacramental class and 2^nd – preparation class.
• Classes are usually held on Fridays after 7:00 PM Mass
• Both father and mother are expected to attend sacramental class and preparation class.
• Sponsors are encouraged to attend the baptism preparation class.

Scheduling

• If the infant has already been born, once you have attended the baptismal class you can call the office and arrange a date for your child’s baptism.
• There are no baptisms during the season of Lent.
• Baptisms are celebrated by an appointment.