Baptism preparation
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Seeking Baptism
Baptism of children age 0-6 yearsWhat 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 will be held quarterly. During the class the sacrament will be discussed and a date and time for the baptism will be arranged. Parents and Godparents must attend.
Baptism of children age 7 years and older
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 attend Sunday Religious Educatio classes throughout the school year. They participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults - Adapted for Children (RCIA-C). Please see a fuller explanation of RCIA-C HERE.
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
- Must be fully initiated Catholic, which means they have received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation;
- Must be living a moral life in accord with Church teaching:
- If they are married, they were married in the Church with the Sacrament of Matrimony;
- If they are single, they must live a chaste life (no "living together")
- Must be at least 16 years of age.
At least one godparent MUST meet these requirements. A second adult who is a baptized Christian, though not Catholic, may serve as a "Christian Witness" .Baptisms are usually scheduled at the end of Mass. Parents and godparents are expected to be in attendance at the Mass. Occassionally, a child will be baptized during the Mass, at the discression of the Pastor. For more information, call the parish office.
Download the Baptism Registration Form and bring it to the Parish office at your earliest convenience. Baptismal Registration Form. -
Why It's Important
According to 1 Peter 3:21:“Baptism . . . now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
In keeping with this language, the Nicene Creed states:“I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.”
And the Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms:“The Lord himself affirms that baptism is necessary for salvation [Jn 3:5]. . . . Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament [Mk 16:16]” (CCC 1257). -
To request Sacramental Records please download form and mail to Our Lady of Sorrows.