Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
BAPTISM
A letter from father.
Dear Parents,
Congratulations for seeking to have your child baptized. The Sacrament of Baptism marks a very important point in the spiritual life of your child and of the Church. Through this first Sacrament of Initiation, your child is welcomed into the wonderful Catholic faith community.
Because it is so significant, and to meet the requirements of Canon Law, the following Parish policy has been established for the Baptism of children who have not yet reached the age of reason, usually about seven years of age. Parents must attend a pre-Baptism class.
In order to register for this class, please fill out the Baptismal information form; this may be picked up at the Parish Office. When filling in the information, please print legibly as this information will be used for the Baptismal Record.
Turn in the completed form, with a copy of your child’s Birth Certificate (showing child’s name, parent’s names, date and place of birth).
Finally, you must have at least one Catholic godparent (you may have two; one godmother and one godfather) who is at least sixteen years old; has received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
**Parents and Godparents must also provide a copy of their updated Baptismal Certificate.**
Sincerely yours in Christ
Rev. Fr. John Rathinaswamy
Pastor
St. Francis of Assisi Church
Request a Baptism
Baptism FAQ
Baptism is a sacrament of initiation, symbolizing purification and new birth in Christ. It marks the individual’s entry into the Christian community and signifies the washing away of sin and the reception of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism can be administered at any age, from infancy to adulthood. For infants and children, parents and godparents present them for Baptism, committing to raise them in the faith. Adults are typically baptized after a period of instruction in the faith (often through a program like RCIA—Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults).
To schedule a Baptism, parents or individuals should contact the parish office to inquire about Baptism preparation classes, available dates, and any required paperwork. It’s common for the church to request a meeting with the priest or baptismal coordinator to discuss the sacrament and ensure readiness.
Yes, at least one parent and the godparents must be baptized Catholics, as they take on the responsibility of raising the child in the Christian faith. Godparents are also required to be practicing Catholics in good standing.
Godparents are chosen to help guide the child in their spiritual journey, ensuring that they grow in faith and understanding of the Christian life. They pledge to support the child’s parents in nurturing the child’s relationship with God and are spiritual mentors throughout the child’s life.
How else can we help?
If you do not feel ready to come to one of our services, you can join one of our Groups to learn about one of the topics presented, or simply request our Prayer Group to pray for any concern you have.
