Baptism

Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. (John 3:5)

The sacrament of baptism ushers us into the divine life, cleanses us from sin, and initiates us as members of the Christian community. It is the foundation for the sacramental life.

At baptism, the presider prays over the water:

Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give to this water the grace of your Son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit. (Christian Initiation of Adults, #222A)

Freed from Sin

Baptism frees us from the bondage of original and actual sin. Water is poured in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Today, the sacrament of baptism is often performed on infants, shortly after birth. Adult baptisms take place at the Easter Vigil through the restored Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Adults or children who have been baptized in a valid Christian church are not baptized again in the Catholic church. As we say in the Nicene Creed, “I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins…”

The Catechism teaches:

"The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ" (CCC 1279).

Baptismal Symbols

Water – The waters of baptism recall Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Water is a symbol of cleansing and renewal as we begin a new life in Christ. We are washed clean of sin.
Oil – At baptism we are anointed into the life of Christ as “priest, prophet and king.” A cross is traced on the candidate’s forehead as a reminder that we are inheritors of the Kingdom of God.
Light – The baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal or Easter candle that stands in the church as a sign of Christ’s light in the world. At baptism, we receive the light of Christ and are called forth to share this light with the world.
White garment – The white garment that is placed upon us at baptism is a symbol of Christ’s victory over death and his glorious resurrection. Likewise, the white garment or pall that is placed over the coffin at the time of death recalls our baptismal promises and reminds us that we are destined for eternal life.

While in ordinary circumstances, sacraments in the Catholic Church are administered validly by a member of the ordained clergy, in an emergency situation, the sacrament of baptism can be administered by anyone.

In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pour water on the candidates head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1284).

For Baptisms of infants up to 7 years of age:

Paperwork – Please turn in the following forms
Baptismal Registration Form (digital form / physical form)
Copy of your child’s birth certificate
A completed Godparent Form for each godparent. You can have up to 2 godparents. If you have 2 godparents, they must be of a different gender from each other. (physical form)
After all paperwork is turned in, a priest will contact you to schedule an interview with the parents.
After the interview, all parents and godparents are required to attend a baptism workshop.
If godparents are from out of town, they can attend the workshop at their home parish and provide proof of attendance.
If parents or godparents have taken a baptism workshop within the past 3 years, they do not need to attend the workshop. However, we do encourage godparents to attend the workshop with parents as they journey together with the parents.
Good Shepherd's workshops are in person and are 1 hour long. The schedule will be provided by the priest after the interview.
Please contact the Faith Formation Office BEFORE you take any online course to double-check that we accept the course.
Parents can schedule the baptism only after all the above items are complete.
English baptisms take place on the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Sundays of the month at 1:30 PM.
Vietnamese baptisms take place on the 4^th Sunday of the month at 3:00 PM.
Spanish baptisms take place on the 4^th Sunday of the month at 1:30 PM.