Baptism is a sacrament in which we recognize and celebrate God’s presence in our lives and our response to that presence.  The Church urges parents to have their infants baptized within the first weeks after birth.

A Catholic baptism initiates a child into the Catholic faith.  It is the beginning of the child’s spiritual life, a new relationship with God, and the first step in the lifelong formation of the child’s faith.

Through baptism, the child also becomes a member of the Church family.  Parents have the primary responsibility for the faith formation of their children, and they have the privilege of evangelizing them.  To fulfill their role, parents need to be suitably instructed so that they understand the meaning of the sacrament of baptism and their obligations.  They also need to make a commitment to bring up their child in the faith.

Godparents share in the parents’ role of presenting the child to the Church for baptism.  Godparents extend the spiritual family of the child being baptized, and they help the parents lead the child to profess the faith.  At least one godparent/sponsor is required.  That person must be a baptized Catholic at least sixteen years of age, have received his/her first communion and been confirmed, and be in good standing with the Church.

Baptisms are celebrated on the first Sunday of the month at 1:00 PM and on the third Sunday of the month at either the 8:30 AM or the 10:30 AM Mass.  The Church encourages baptism during Mass when possible. 

Before a child can be baptized, at least on of the parents must give assurance that the child will be raised in the Catholic faith.  That parent must be a baptized Catholic, who practices his/her faith through regular attendance at Sunday Mass and reception of the sacraments, and whose faith life is a good role model for the child as he/she grows and develops.

Parents desiring to have a child baptized are asked to call Deacon Dick at the Parish Offices (276-5954, X-2109).  Attendance is normally required at one class, preferably before the birth of the child or soon thereafter but before the baptism. This class discusses the effects of the sacrament of baptism on the child, the roles and obligations of the parents and the godparents, the baptismal ritual, and the significance of the symbols used.

Copyright © 2002-2003 Precious Blood Church. All rights reserved. Website by:  KGASTON