Infant Baptism Preparation Program

"For through Faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus.For all of you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourself with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26-28)

Baptism is a Beginning

The sacrament of Baptism is the beginning of the process of coming into Catholic life and the community we call the Church. It celebrates the entrance of a person into that Catholic community as well as a specific parish family. It is a most important beginning which is continually deepened in the Holy Eucharist and is completed in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Baptism is a Sacrament

Sacraments are visible signs of God’s invisible grace and presence among us by the works of the Holy Spirit. At Baptism, parents proclaim that their children are visible signs of God’s love for us. Parents should recognize that they are expected by this sacramental commitment, to continue to raise and educate their children in the Catholic faith.

Importance of the Community

Baptism is not for the benefit of the child only. The child is going to affect the parish community and the community is going to affect the child.

The parish community should be an influence on the child’s life that will enable the child to live in the spirit of the promises made at Baptism and live out the Christian life that the promises of Baptism express. There is no substitute for the love found in a happy, caring home.

It is our hope here that at Queen of All Saints that the love of this Catholic community will provide the best possible atmosphere for the growth and development of the newborn. This is a most inspiring thought for us - parents, godparents, family, friends and members of the community. The community’s presence at the Welcoming Rite at Mass and at the Baptism itself is the Body of Christ accepting a new member into its midst. The community rejoices in this new member who will also share in the life of this parish community.

The Baptism

The parish community celebrates the Sacrament of Baptism for children usually six times a year - on Sundays at 2PM. Parents must have completed the required classes and meeting before the child can be baptized.

Godparents

Only close friends and relative should be asked to accept this responsibility.  Ideally, godparents should both be fully initiated Catholics - they must have received all the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. They must be practicing in faith and living Christian lives.

Commitment Required

Being a Catholic Christian means having a strong and personal commitment to the Church. Unless parents are committedthemselves to living the Catholic faith, raising their child within the Catholic community and regularly celebrating the Eucharist, they should think carefully before asking the Church to baptize their child.

Procedure

1. Call parish office (825-0350) and find out when the next Information Night will take place. This is the first step in the process.

2. Have interview with Priest or Parish staff member. Your interview will be scheduled on Information Night.

3. Attend a Christian Parenting Class.This is a discussion-format class. Godparents are welcome to attend, but this is not a necessity.

4. Celebrate a Welcoming Rite. You and your child will be welcomed at Queen of All Saints at a weekend liturgy. Please note that although families are encouraged to begin the program during pregnancy, the child must be born to participate in the Welcoming Rite and remainder of the program.

5. Attend Signs & Symbols/ Rehearsal Night. During this evening, we will explore the symbols of Baptism and walk through the Liturgy, so that all know what to expect.

Expectations...

In order for an infant to be baptized, at least one Catholic parent or legal guardian must give their consent ...

It is expected that the parents have been married in the Catholic Church or have had their marriage blessed in the Catholic Church...

It is expected that the parents are registered members of Queen of All Saints parish...

We ask for a donation of $50 per family...

If you or your spouse have not received the sacraments of Confirmation or have been away from the Church for a while, please call the rectory and inquire about our Adult Confirmation program or Welcome Home program...