Baptism

“Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.”  Romans 6:3-4

Baptism is the basis of the whole of Christian life. It is the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are joined in to the Church, and are made sharers in her mission (CCC #1213.)

Baptismal Preparation Policy

Parents seeking to baptize infants and young children (defined at St. Mary’s as a child who has not yet entered the second grade) are invited to contact the parish office. St. Mary’s requires participation in a baptismal class offered on the first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October, and December. Special arrangements can be made if participation in the regular class is not possible. Registration is required to attend a class. Expecting parents are welcome to attend a class prior to the birth/adoption of their child(ren.) Arrangements for the specific date of baptism are made with the parish priest.

Adults who desire baptism are also invited to contact the parish office. Adults interested in Catholicism are invited to speak with the parish priest and to consider participating in the catechumenate program, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

Adults baptized in a different Christian tradition are invited to contact the parish office. The Catholic Church accepts the baptism of Christians baptized in “the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (CCC #1278, 1280.) Baptized adults interested in Catholicism are invited to speak with the parish priest. Please visit the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) page for more information about the process to become Catholic.

Parents of unbaptized children age 7 or older are invited to contact the parish office. Once a child has attained the use of reason, generally age 7, the child ceases being an infant in the faith and is no longer eligible for “infant baptism” (CIC 852.1.)  (St. Mary’s defines age 7 as the first day of second grade.) Unbaptized children, who have attained the use of reason, will be prepared to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil Mass following determination of each child’s readiness (CCC 1233.) An interview with the family will be scheduled to help the parish priest and staff determine the best option for the family and child(ren.)

Baptized and unbaptized adults with disabilities and parents of unbaptized children with disabilities age 7 or older are invited to contact the parish office. St. Mary’s strives to be as fully accessible to persons with disabilities as is possible.  Scheduling an interview with the parish priest or staff can help the parish to serve the specific needs of each person or family.

Parents of children baptized in a different Christian tradition, like adults, are invited to contact the parish office. An interview with the family will be scheduled to help the parish priest and staff determine the best option for the family and child(ren.)