Baptism

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, 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. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213

Infant Baptism

Baptism is the first Sacrament of Christian Initiation. Baptism of infants (children 6 years old and under) is normally celebrated on a quarterly basis during the regularly scheduled Masses. 

If you would like to have your child baptized at Church of the Holy Family, here is what you need to do: 

1. fill out the   Baptism Request Form
2. you will receive a phone call from the Baptism coordinator within 1-2 weeks to discuss dates that are available and to give more specific details about requirements
3. make sure you are registered in the parish
4. parents must complete a Baptism preparation class.  The class offered by Holy Family is completed online through Ascension Press, Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God. 
5. start thinking about godparents:  see the requirements below.  The Baptism Coordinator will assist you if you are not sure if the person you choose meets the requirements.  

REQUIRED FORMS:

New Parishioner Registration Form If you are not registered at Church of the Holy Family, please complete the form found by clicking the link and submit the form to the parish office or to the Welcome Table in the Commons on Sunday. 

INFANT BAPTISM SCHEDULE/UPCOMING DATES:

Baptisms will be celebrated on the following dates:  
November 11/12, 2023
January 13/14, 2024
April 27/28, 2024

Space is available on a first come, first serve basis, so parents are encouraged to complete the Baptism Request Form below and schedule as soon as they can.

Parents are asked to choose someone to serve as godparent for their child.  Since the godparent’s role is to assist parents in passing on the faith in which the child is being baptized, parents should choose someone who will take the role seriously and will be a good Catholic role model for the child.  The godparent is to help the child lead a Christian life in keeping with the child’s baptismal dignity.  The Catholic Church asks that at least one Catholic godparent, together with the child’s parents, present the child for baptism.  A baptized person of a non-Catholic Christian community may serve, together with a Catholic godparent, as a Christian witness of the baptism.
Requirements to be a Catholic godparent:

• at least 16 years old 
• has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist
• not bound by a canonical penalty
  • meaning that the person has not had a censure imposed on them for intentional rejection of Church teachings
• leads a life of faith befitting the role to be undertaken; a practicing Catholic
  • regularly attends Mass; if married, marriage is recognized by the Catholic Church
  • Watch this video in which Fr. Mike Schmitz explains what it means to be a "practicing Catholic":  https://youtu.be/jrGW5G8QqQ4
• not a parent of the child
  • but CAN be a grandparent 
• **if the godparent cannot physically attend the baptismal ceremony, a "proxy" is permitted to stand in at the ceremony 

Requirements to be a Christian Witness:

• a practicing Christian in their faith denomination
• at least 16 years old
• willing to help the child lead a Christian life 
• CANNOT be a Catholic who is not practicing/not in good standing or who has left the faith 

Canon Law in regard to sponsors/godparents:

Can. 872 Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism.  A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.
Can. 873 There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.
Can. 874  §1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:

• be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;
• have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;
• be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;
• not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
• not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.

Adult Baptism:  See Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)