Baptism

Baptism is the first of the sacraments and is the doorway which makes us members of the Christian faith and opens the way to the other sacraments. Baptism incorporates us into Christ and forms us into God’s People. This first sacrament gives us the dignity of being adopted children of God. It is a very important day in the life of a Christian and many people have come to celebrate both birthdays and baptismal days in the life of their children. 

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How old should my child be to be Baptized?
We encourage parents to have their child baptized fairly soon after birth, but there is no set time frame for this. Factors like the health of the child and the availability of Godparents are practical considerations. Baptism within one month is common. 

What if my child is no longer an infant?
Baptism can happen at any age.  If the child is more than a few years old, the priest or deacon will meet with the parents and child and help the child to also understand the nature of the sacrament and also walk through the sacrament itself with the parents and child.  If the child is a teenager, depending on the amount of involvement the family has with the church, the child may be asked to participate in the RCIA process. More information on that is here.   

Do parents have to take classes on baptism?
Yes, if it is a first child being baptized. The Catholic church wants to be sure the parents and godparents understand the nature of the sacrament and its importance. The class has one or two sessions with a deacon of the parish or the parish priest.  

Do we need to be registered parishioners?
The parent or parents of a child should be registered in some parish and participate in the life of the parish where they are registered. If you attend Mass at St. Francis but have not registered, having a baby is a good reason to do so. Most baptisms will occur in the parish where the parents are registered. However, with the permission of the parish priest, a baptism can occur anywhere. For example, it might occur in the parish of the grandparents, where one of the parents grew up. 

How much does it cost to baptize my child?
There is a suggested offering of $10 which goes to the parish for its works of charity. Additionally, it is customary to make some offering to the priest (or deacon) performing the baptism. There is no actual charge for any sacrament.  

Who should we select to be the Godparents?
Godparents agree to help to raise the child in the Catholic faith by example and encouragement and therefore Godparents should be practicing Catholics, attending Mass, and active in their parish. There needs to be at least one Godparent and usually, there are two Godparents. Because we share baptism as a sacrament with most other Christian denominations, a non-Catholic Christian can also participate in the baptism as a Christian Witness in addition to the Godparent.