What a wonderful gift you are giving your child! Parents with children ages 0-6 prepare for their child's baptism by attending a preparation class, and through the very important selection of godparents. You are welcome to attend the class even before the baby is born, so there is no delay to receive the sacrament. Baptism classes are available upon request by contacting the Parish Office. During the class, the sacrament will be discussed, and a date and time for the baptism will be arranged. Parents and Godparents both must attend. We discourage parents coming from outside to seek baptism in the parish with no intention of being members of the parish. We advice that parents have their children baptized in parishes where they have formed a community and intend to raise their families. In this way, children grow and families receive the support of their church community.
Parents wanting their older children to be baptized is a wonderful thing! The Church recognizes that by age 7 years, the older child has a faith journey quite different from an infant or preschool child. Older children seeking baptism must attend Sunday Religious Education classes throughout the school year. They also participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), but in a form adapted for children.
Godparents must be willing to stand in for the parents in raising the child in the Catholic Faith. To qualify to be a godparent, the person
Baptisms are usually celebrated on Sundays either at the 11 am Mass on Sundays or between the Sunday masses. Please call the office to enquiere.
Baptism for non parishioners
If you are are not an active current member of OLS, it means you belong to another parish or the parish in whose jurisdiction you have your residence. It is better to have the child baptized in your own parish if possible. In order to have your child baptized at OLS, we will need a letter from your pastor giving us permission to celebrate the baptism of your child. Please attach with his letter, the sponsor qualification form, baptism class completion and a copy of the child’s birth certificate. We will only set a date after receiving these information. We also discourage registering in the parish temporarily just to seek baptism only. If we realise this to be the intention, we will advice one to prove and show commitment and stability in our parish community. Being members of a parish community is important for the growth in faith and many other ways. We always wish to know the family well and be able to support them in the education of their children in the faith. When a family shows up only for the sacraments for their child but do not live their faith in the community or do not intend to be part of the parish community, we may ask them to wait for a while before sacraments are celebrated or have the baptism in the parish where they actively frequent. For the spiritual good of families, we strongly discourage "shopping".
Baptism for parishioners
To baptize a child, simply call the office to schedule a date. A baptism preparation class is needed and if your chosen godparents are non parishioners, a letter from their pastor is required to confirm that they are qualified Catholics to be catholic sponsors. Sponsors have to be Catholics in good standing with the Church so that they may guide and lead their Godchild in the faith.. If the sponsor is from the parish, we ask that they join the parents during baptism preparation class.
To inquire about receiving the Sacrament of Baptism, or to request a copy of Sacramental records, contact us in the Parish Office at (503) 775-6731. We look foward to talking with you.