Celebrating the Essence of the Christian Faith
"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" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213).
Infant Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism celebrates the very essence of our Catholic faith: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It initiates one into the body of Christ — the Church. Parents who decide to bring their child into the Church take on the important responsibility of raising their child in the faith. St. Anthony & St. Mary parishes offer the following steps to guide parents through the Baptism process and ongoing faith formation.
Step 1: Join Our Parish
All families must be registered members of either St. Anthony or St. Mary to have their child baptized in the respective parish. Family registration ensures that a sacramental record of the baptism is kept at the parish, which is required by Church law. Registration is free and can be done online.
Step 2: Schedule the Baptism
Baptisms should be scheduled two months prior to the desired date. Baptisms are administered every Sunday. Baptisms within the Mass are held on the 3rd Sunday of each month and group baptisms are held on the 2nd Sunday of each month after the last Mass of the day. During Lent, St. Mary's baptisms are held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays after Mass only. St. Anthony's baptisms are held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays after Mass only. Other arrangements may be considered, provided that the presider and baptismal party agree. Contact the parish office to secure a date and to obtain the paperwork necessary for documenting the baptism.
Step 3: Prepare for the Baptism
New parents are required to participate in Baptism Preparation class, which will explain the rite of Baptism. The Administrative Coordinator will assign the family a Baptism Preparation Couple to provide guidance.
Step 4: Select Godparents
Godparents are an important part of a child's baptism and faith journey. Through the Sacrament, the godparent is raised to the level of the parent in terms of guiding and mentoring the child in the practice of the faith. Therefore, a godparent must be a confirmed, practicing Catholic. Sponsor forms will be provided for godparents who are non-parish members.
Adult Baptism
Adults who are seeking initiation into the Catholic Church participate in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) (Formerly called Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults or RCIA). This includes:
Formation for OCIA includes sessions that explore the Catholic faith, prayer, and community life in the parish. Sessions typically begin in the fall and meet until Easter. However, the journey to reception into the church is unique to everyone. Call the parish office at (262) 251-0220 for more information.
