Baptism

WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Baptism is an external sign celebrating the entrance of a person into the Christian community as well as into a particular parish family. Baptism celebrates a new life of faith and initiates the person into a lifestyle of worship, religious education and service to the community.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BAPTISM
By Church law, a priest or Deacon can only celebrate the baptism of persons who are registered in his parish. For an infant or child, the family must be registered. For families from other parishes who wish to have the baptism take place here, a letter from their home parish is required.

Parents must receive religious instruction ("catechesis") from the Church concerning the responsibilities of Catholic parenting. We offer this instruction at Resurrection and both parents are required to participate.

Baptismal dates are scheduled only after the catechesis is completed. This helps to avoid postponements due to complications that prevent parents from being able to attend the scheduled catechesis.

ABOUT PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
By Church requirement, parents must give their assurance that the child will be given every benefit of Catholic upbringing. The responsibility of raising the child in the ways of the faith begins immediately with Baptism and extends all the way to adulthood.

If parents are not able to make this commitment to the Church community, they should consider delaying the celebration of baptism until they are prepared to undertake these responsibilities.

ABOUT CHOOSING GODPARENTS
Godparents are chosen by the birth parents to assist them in their Christian parenting. They should, therefore, be models of Christian faith and examples of prayer, worship and Christian practice.

The Church does not require two godparents. When there are two, however, there can be only one godmother and one godfather. Only one of the godparents needs to be a Catholic. The other must, however, be of the Christian faith and be active in that faith. The Catholic godparent(s) need to have been Confirmed and be practicing members of the Church.

WHEN ARE BAPTISMS CELEBRATED?
Baptisms are celebrated the 2nd Sunday of every month at 3:00 p.m. in the Church. Occasionally, baptisms are also celebrated during Sunday Mass, which allows the entire faith community to celebrate with you. Baptism may also be scheduled at different times to accommodate travel plans of out of town family members. Baptisms are not scheduled from Ash Wednesday until Holy Saturday, the Lenten Season.

CONTACT
Dan McGowan
Office of Religious Education 863-644-0585