BAPTISM
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, …”
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, …”
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, …”
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, …”
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 in the word. – CCC 1213
As good parents you care for the physical and emotional needs of your child, and as Christian parents you will care for the spiritual needs of your son or daughter by presenting your child for baptism. Baptism is the foundational sacrament of Christian life and for membership in God’s Church. Jesus Christ, while on the cross, gave us baptism from the very waters that poured from his pierced heart, and in this sacrament we see how much God truly loves us. The Sacrament of baptism has profound and eternal effects.
When a person is baptized he or she is:
Made in new creation, an adopted son or daughter of God, who has become partaker of the divine nature. – CCC 1265
A member of the Body of Christ, the Church. – CCC 1267
Freed from the power of darkness and is brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God. – CCC 1250
Able to believe in God, to hope in him, an to love him through the theological virtues;
Given the power to love and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit though the gifts of the Holy Spirit; Helped to grow in the goodness through the moral virtues. – CCC 1266
REQUIREMENTS
If you are looking for Baptism for your newborn child, congratulations! We are happy that God has blessed your family with new life.
Parents must be willing to bring their child up in the Catholic Faith and attend Sunday Mass weekly. Baptism is the beginning of supernatural life, but it must be nurtured throughout life.
Parents must meet with a parish staff member prior to the Baptism. You will be contacted after filling out the Baptismal Info form. Baptism will not be scheduled until after initial contact.
Parents AND godparents (sponsors) MUST attend a baptism class at Risen Christ or provide proof of attendance at a baptism class within the past five years.
We encourage you have your child baptized as soon after birth as possible, though children under the age of 7 can be baptized at the parents’ request following the receipt of the necessary documents and completion of a baptism class.
Children aged 7 years or older need to participate in sacramental preparation and religious education classes before being baptized at the Easter Vigil.
GODPARENTS
Before scheduling a baptism, we ask parents to prayerfully consider their selection of godparents to ensure they can faithfully execute their responsibilities as stewards of the faith for your child and that they meet the following requirements:
A godparent must be fully initiated into the Catholic Church and leading a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on. Please provide a copy of the Confirmation certificate or a Baptismal certificate with notations of the reception of First Communion and Confirmation.
A godparent must be at least 16 years of age.
The godparent cannot be the child’s parent.
A godparent must be canonically free to carry out this office. If married, the godparent must be married in the Catholic Church. If single, the godparent must be living according to Church teaching. A Catholic married by a Justice of the Peace or in a different Christian church without special permission, or those who are cohabitating (living together outside of marriage), cannot serve as a godparent.
A godparent must know the fundamental truths of the Faith and be a practicing Catholic who attends Mass on Sundays, and regularly receives the sacraments of Holy Communion and Reconciliation.
A godparent (sponsor) MUST attend a baptism class at Risen Christ Catholic Church OR at a parish which will provide documentation of attendance.
ADULT BAPTISM
If you are seeking Baptism as an adult, visit our Becoming Catholic page. We are happy to celebrate your Baptism and your initiation into supernatural life.
LEARN MORE
The first of the seven sacraments, and the “door” which gives access to the other sacraments. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the “sacraments of initiation” by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ.
