The Sacrament of Baptism
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" - Matthew 28:19
Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation followed by the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Baptism finds its roots in a Jewish purification ritual in which immersion in water was a means of initiating converts into Judaism. At His baptism in the Jordan by St. John the Baptist, Christ changed this ritual into a sacrament (an outward sign of God's love and man's faith) and fulfills and gives meaning to the use of water which was prefigured in the Old Testament in such events as the liberation of the Chosen People from the bondage of Egypt through the Red Sea.
The Sacrament of Baptism is the key that opens the door of faith. Through the waters of Baptism, the Original Sin committed by our first parents is washed away and our souls purified. By this purification, we become children of God and enter into a relationship with God that can never be erased. Furthermore, we die to sin and are united with Christ and, through the anointing with the Sacred Oil of Chrism, share in His three-fold Office as Priest, Prophet and King.
The Church encourages all to enter into this magnificent relationship with God, and thus Catholic parents have a grave duty to have their children baptized and raised in the faith. To assist them in this task, the parents invite godparents to share in the duty of providing the spiritual needs of their children and to ensure that the children are properly raised in their Catholic faith.
Schedule a Baptism for your Child
The parents of the child must be registered with the parish.
NO EXCEPTIONS
Step 1: Pick a man and a woman to be Godparents.
REQUIREMENTS FOR GODPARENTS:
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They must be a baptized Catholic man and woman having received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
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They must attend Holy Mass EVERY weekend and on ALL Holy Days of Obligation.
They must provide a Letter of Eligibility from the parish where they attend.
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The letter must be brought to the St. Peter parish office at least one week before the Baptismal ceremony.
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If the letter cannot be brought until the day of the Baptism, the sponsor should either email or fax a copy to the parish, but BRING THE ORIGINAL FOR THE BAPTISM.
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They must be 16 years of age or older.
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If single, they must be living a chaste life, that is, not “living together” with someone. If married, the marriage must be recognized by the Catholic Church
What if I am unable to provide a Catholic man and woman
to be Godparents?
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If you cannot provide two Godparents, you are permitted to have one Godparent accompanied by a "Christian witness".
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A Christian Witness can be a baptized member of a Christian denomination, but cannot be a former Catholic.
Step 2: Call the Rectory Office to schedule a baptism.
(Office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM & Friday
from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.)
Step 3: Attend the Baptism.
(Baptisms at St. Peter's Church are usually held on Sundays at 12:00 PM on a
date decided upon in accord with the parish calendar.)