BAPTISM

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission : "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word."  ​

Catechism of the Catholic Church (1213)

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Baptismal

​ Preparation 

Adults and Children Age 7 and Older
Baptism for those over the age of reason is provided via the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The rite focuses on conversion to Christ through the discovery of, and encounter with, the real presence of Jesus Christ in our lives. The RCIA assists the candidates for Baptism in making that discovery. Through the rite, and to assist candidates in living an authentic Christian life, adults are incorporated into the Body of Christ and are provided instruction on the Catholic faith.  RCIA prepares adults (both unbaptized and already Baptized with the Trinitarian form) for full initiation into the Catholic Church and Faith.  Please see the Faith Formation / Becoming Catholic (RCIA) tab for more information.

Infants
Congratulations! We celebrate with you the gift of life you have received in your child.  Just as you will provide for the best of life's opportunities for your child, we rejoice that it includes providing the best for their spiritual and eternal life that begins in the Sacrament of Baptism. 

We have provided the following information to assist you in preparing for the celebration of Baptism and the sacramental life of your child.

Requirements for the Celebration of Baptism of Infants

• By Church law, a priest or deacon may only celebrate the Baptism of an individual who is part of the parish family they are called to shepherd.  Registration with Sacred Heart Parish or St. Helena Parish is, therefore, a required first step.
• All parents must schedule an appointment with the pastor.
• For families who have moved to or recently registered with our parish, a letter must be obtained from your former parish indicating that you are practicing Catholics.
• For families from other parish communities who wish to have the Baptism take place at Sacred Heart or St. Helena or St. Mary's Mission, a letter of permission from your own parish is required.
• Parents must attend to religious instruction ("catechesis") from the Church concerning the responsibilities of Catholic parenting.  See below.
• Dates for a Baptism are scheduled only after the aforementioned catechesis has been completed and the parent and godparent forms are completed and received by the parish office. This helps to avoid postponements should the parents be unable to attend a scheduled instruction date or proper documentation has not been obtained.

About Parental Responsibilities
      •  By Church requirement, parents must give their assurance that their child will be given every benefit of a Catholic upbringing. The responsibility of raising the child in the Faith begins immediately with Baptism and extends to adulthood.
      •  If parents are unable to make this commitment to the Church community, they should consider delaying the celebration of Baptism until they are prepared to do so.

Choosing Godparents

• Godparents / sponsors are chosen by the child's parents to assist them in their Catholic parenting. They should, therefore, be models of the Faith and examples of prayer, worship, and Catholic practice.
• Only one godmother and one godfather may be chosen. The ideal is to choose two Catholic godparents. A non-Catholic of Christian faith may act as a witness to the Baptism, but may not sponsor the child's Baptism. Catholic godparents need to have been confirmed and be practicing members of the Church.
• All godparents need to complete the form below and have it signed by their pastors.

​When are Baptisms Celebrated?
Baptisms typically take place on Saturdays at 2:00 pm.  Alternative times may be arranged through the parish office.

How to Begin:
In order to begin baptismal preparation, all parents must:

1. read this overview by Ascension Press
2. watch Fr. Mike Schmitz on this YouTube video (please watch his reading of the Gospel as well as his entire homily)

Godparents are also encouraged to review this material.  The information will be discussed during your Baptism Prep Class. 

Once you have viewed these two videos, please contact the parish secretary at [email protected].

Additional Baptism resources:

​Dynamic Catholic: Starting Point

Bishop Barron: Priest, Prophet, and King

Parents' Form

GodparentS' Form