Baptism
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), 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: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word. (Catechism of the Catholic Church)
Baptism—and all sacraments, for that matter—are much more than the moment of celebration. They neither begin nor end with the liturgical ritual. They are celebrations of lived experiences. They exist before, during and after the celebration.
The ritual of Baptism does not bring God's love into being as if that love did not exist before the ceremony. Baptism is the Church's way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God who first loved us from the moment of our conception. Baptism is a ritualization and manifestation of something real—of the outpouring of God's Spirit and of our acceptance of that transforming love. It remains for us to grow into what we already are: daughters and sons of God. Baptism celebrates a family's and a community's experience of that love in the baptized.
PREPARING FOR BAPTISM IN THE CLUSTER
Baptism
Parents wishing to have their child baptized must be registered parishioners and complete baptismal preparation prior to the date of baptism. Baptisms are celebrated during Mass the 1st Sunday of every month at St. Michael, 2nd Sunday of every month at St. Joseph, and the 3rd Sunday of every month at Sacred Heart. Please contact the Pastoral Center or Missy Laurent (869-5751) during the early days of pregnancy for details on baptismal preparation sessions. Godparents/sponsors must also attend baptismal preparation class.
Godparents must complete a form verifing their practice of the Catholic faith according to Church teachings. That form is available online in the link below. This form must be turned in to the Pastoral Center prior to the Baptism.
Parents must register themselves and their godparents for the seminar. This form is also available online in the link below and must be returned to the Pastoral Center at least two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled seminar. If a godparent is from another Church parish, they must bring the form to their parish to be completed, signed and stamped.
Instructions for On-line Class for Certification
Link to online course: https://ascensionpress.com/collections/belonging-baptism-in-the-family-of-god