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“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” Mark 16:16 -
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On behalf of St. Ann, we congratulate you on the birth, or upcoming birth, of your child! We would also like to express how happy we are that you would like to have your child baptized here at St. Ann. With this decision you are allowing your child to receive the most precious gift.
“Baptism is the sacrament of faith. But faith needs the community of believers. It is only within the faith of the Church that each of the faithful can believe. The faith required for Baptism is not a perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is called to develop. The catechumen or godparent is asked ‘What do you ask of God's Church?’ The response is: ‘Faith!’” CCC 1253
Who:
“It may not be doubted that in Baptism infants receive the mysterious gifts of faith. Not that they believe with the assent of the mind, but they are established in the faith. … for they are rightly said to be presented for Baptism by all those to whom their initiation in that sacred rite is a source of joy, and by whose charity they are united to the communion of the Holy [Spirit].” (Catechism of the Council of Trent, p. 188)Infant Baptism – that is the Baptism of a child as requested by an adult – is available for children from birth through six years. The requesting adult must be the parent or legal guardian of the child with rights to direct his/her religious upbringing. The adult must be a registered and active (at least three months) parishioner of St. Ann.
Children and adults, seven years and older, are also encouraged to seek Baptism. This process is called the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) or the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults Adapted for Children (OCIA-AC formerly RCIA-AC). Please see the Faith Formation tab above for more information for both programs.
When:
At St. Ann, baptisms are offered once a month, except during Advent and Lent. The Rite of Baptism is celebrated as a group of up to ten children usually on a Saturday morning. It is not held during a Mass. When you have submitted the required documents outlined below, you will be able to select from the open dates that work for your family.
Parental Preparation:
“Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. … Parents have a grave responsibility to give good example to their children.” (CCC 2223)
“Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the ‘first heralds’ for their children. They should associate them from their tenderest years with the life of the Church.” (CCC 2225)
We know that parents have a great responsibility to their children. To prepare parents for the initiation of their children into the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism, St. Ann offers a Pre-Baptism Preparation Class. Parents are required to attend this class which is offered monthly at no cost before registering for a Baptism date.
Registration for the class is available online here.
Parents’ Paperwork:
The required documentation needed to request Baptism for your child is as follows:
Paperwork Checklist
Baptism Request Form
- Original certified birth certificate (a copy will be made and the original returned to you.)
- Certificates from completed Pre-Baptismal Preparation class for parents.
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Required Baptism Forms
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Contact Us
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dremystann.comDirector of Faith Formation
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Prep Class RSVP
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Godparents
"Those, who, by the waters of Baptism, begin to live a spiritual life should be entrusted to the fidelity and prudence of someone from whom they may imbibe the precepts of the Christian religion and may be brought up in all holiness, and thus grow gradually in Christ.” (Catechism of the Council of Trent, p. 184)While we realize that parents carry the primary role of educating their children, the education in the faith is so important that the Church provides that all children should also have a godparent to help in this education and guidance as well. Only one godparent is required, but if the parent wants to choose two godparents they may choose one godfather and one godmother, but not two of the same gender (e.g. not two godmothers). Due to the importance of this role, there are specific requirements for who can serve as godparents:
- Godparents must be Confirmed and practicing Catholics in good standing.
- Godparents must be living a life in accord with the teachings of the Church (i.e. if married, in a Sacramental marriage; if single, living a chaste life; etc.).
- Godparents must also attend a Pre-Baptismal Preparation Class.
The documents that show these attributes as required by St. Ann to be named a godparent are:
- Original, signed and sealed Confirmation certificate (or Baptismal certificate showing the Confirmation noted).
- If married, a signed and sealed Marriage certificate (or Baptismal certificate showing the Marriage noted).
- A letter of recommendation to be a godparent from their home parish priest.
- Certificate of completion of a Pre-Baptismal Preparation Class.
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