Baptism

Baptism

Infants: Every parish shall provide baptismal catechesis for the parents who request baptism for their infant (s). Contact your pastor to find out dates and times the parish conducts Baptismal preparation classes for parents.

Criteria:

1. One or both parents should be Catholic, active in the practice of faith, i.e., they should have an active relationship with the Church and are attempting to live out its values.
2. Suitable godparents should be chosen following the norms of the Code of Canon Law 872-874.
3. The parents and godparents have become instructed as to the nature of the Sacrament and their responsibility to the child, and have shown signs they are willing to accept and fulfill these responsibilities.

Children: Parishes shall, whenever possible, provide a Catechumenate program, distinct form the regular religious education program, to meet the needs of children, who have reached the age of reason (7), seeking initiation into the parish community. They shall likewise provide an opportunity for the children to celebrate the rites of the Catechumenate adapted to their level

Criteria:

1. The child should be free of impediments (parental restraint) and have the intention and desire to be baptized.
2. The child should have an attitude of openness to on-going conversion.
3. There should be an understanding of Church doctrine appropriate to the child's age.
4. The child's idea of membership should include participation in the worshiping community, participation in service appropriate to the child's age, and openness to continuing catechesis.

Adults: Parishes shall, whenever possible, provide a Catechumenate program for all adults seeking initiation into the parish community as well as opportunities to celebrate the liturgical rites of the Catechumenate. 

Criteria:

1. The person should be free of impediments and have the intention and desire to be baptized.
2. The person should lack attachment to grave sin and have an attitude of openness to on-going conversion.
3. There should be no evidence of grave difficulty with the doctrines of the Church.
4. The individual's idea of membership should include openness to the whole Catholic church, not simply the local parish, participation in the worshiping community, and participation in service.

If you have questions regarding liturgical planning and celebrations, please contact the Office of Divine Worship.  If you have questions regarding sacramental preparation, please contact Sarah Jameson in the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis