Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. (John 3:5)

At baptism, the presider prays over the water:

Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give to this water the grace of your Son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit. (Christian Initiation of Adults, #222A)

Holy Baptism is the basis for 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 all sin and reborn as a child of God.  We become members of the Body of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission.  "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word."

Christian initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together:  Baptism, which is the beginning of new life in Christ; Confirmation which is its strengthening through the Holy Spirit; and Eucharist which nourishes the disciple with Christ's Body and Blood.

Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ.  Baptism is necessary for salvation, as is the Church itself, which we enter through Baptism.

What are the the essential form and matter of the Sacrament?

The essential rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water, or pouring water on the head, while pronouncing the words of the Gospel of Matthew:  I baptize you "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

What do I need to do to have my child baptized?

Attend the parish's Pre-Baptism session, which is held on the second Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September and November. Contact the Parish Secretary for questions.

My child is seven years old (or older), what do we need to do for baptism?

Once a child reaches 8 years old, they will need to participate in the appropriate Religious Education classes: PREP, IHM School, or RCIC. Contact Sr. Armella for more information.

I'm over 16 years old, and never been baptized. What do I need to do?

Our Catholic Inquiry sessions (RCIA) are appropriate for you. Visit the RCIA page or contact Deacon Greg. 

Who can be a Godparent?

"Godparent" is a job description, not an honorary title. You must be a confirmed, practicing Catholic at least 16 years old who can fulfill the responsibilities. More indepth discusion on this is done during the Baptism Prep session.  There must be one Godparent.

I was baptized in a non-Catholic but Christian Church. Should I be re-baptized Catholic?

Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because of this character Baptism cannot be repeated.  However, there are certain "christian" churches that do not believe as we do in Baptism, and each case needs to be investigated on its own merit.  You are welcome and encouraged to participate in our Catholic Inquiry Sessions.

What about infants who die before baptism?

With respect to children who have died without Baptism, the liturgy of the Church invites us to trust in God's mercy and to pray for their salvation.  While the Church is bound to the sacraments given us by Jesus, God is not.

Why does the Catholic Church baptize infants?

Since the earliest times, Baptism has been administered to children, for it is a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit; children are baptized in the faith of the Church. Entry into Christian life gives access to true freedom. "Peter [said] to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children (Acts 2:38)

When is the Sacrament of Baptism offered?

We normally do baptisms every Sunday after the 11:30 AM Mass, about 1 PM.