Contact

Parish Office & Rectory

873-1122

Links/Resources

Bible Gateway

United States Conference of Bishops

 

 

Baptism

Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. (CCC 1280)

Baptism is a welcoming ritual which connects Catholic families to Christ at a very meaningful time in their lives. Some facts about Baptism include:

• Parent sessions for Baptism were mandated by the new Rite of Infant Baptism in 1969 immediately after the Second Vatican Council. The Church wanted to reach out to parents to assist them in many ways, but especially to help them see this big connection: Baptism connects us ---for life---to a worldwide family which gives us privileges and responsibilities.
• Welcoming each new member is the responsibility of all those who have been baptized. It is not a private affair.  Therefore, Baptisms often occurs at Sunday Mass.
• According to Canon Law (#872-874) a godparent must be at least sixteen years of age and have received the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist). He or she should lead a life of faith in harmony with the duty undertaken. The godparent may not be one of the parents of the person being baptized. Only one godparent is required for Baptism and a maximum of two can be recorded in the baptismal record
  Baptism is the primary sacrament. No other sacrament can be received unless one is baptized. 
• Baptism is only celebrated once in a person’s lifetime.
  

To learn more about Baptism, please click here:

Baptisms at St. John the Baptist take place after the noon mass at 1:15pm in the church two Sundays per month. Most often, there are multiple baptisms.

The procedure for having a child baptized is as follows:

1. Call the rectory 873-1122 and register for a baptismal preparation class held the last Monday of each month (except in December) in the rectory at 7:30pm. Parents of the child need to be parishioners of St. John’s.

2. Attend the preparation class.

3. Contact the rectory to select the date of Baptism and provide information regarding parents’ names, baby’s name, Godparents, Godparents must be able to provide a letter of recommendation from their own parish stating that they are registered, worship regularly and are eligible to be a Godparent.

4. Submit all needed paperwork before the date of the baptism.

5. Attend the noon mass or be at church by 1:10pm on the date of the Baptism.

It is the expectation of the community of faith at St. John’s that you regularly attend mass and participate, when possible, in parish ministries.

We welcome your child and pray that she/he will grow up healthy and filled with the knowledge of God’s love.