Baptism

Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

- John 3:5

Baptism

Congratulations on the birth of your child! Choosing to have your child baptized is a profound moment in the life of your child, your family, and our parish. We welcome you and invite you to contact the parish to schedule a baptism or any other questions you may have.

From the Diocese of Rochester – Policies for the Administration of the Sacraments, 1:

In obedience to the Savior’s command to “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) and in fidelity to his teaching concerning the necessity of this Sacrament for salvation (cf. Mark 16:16; CIC, c. 849), the Church ceaselessly promotes and guards the dignity of Christian Baptism and all the rites which surround its reverent administration. 

At the moment of Baptism, the new Christian is washed of the stain of original sin, marked by an indelible character, imbued with the gift of sanctifying grace and the infused virtues, received into a relationship of Divine adoption, and incorporated into the Mystical Body of Christ which is the Church. Consequently, Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the whole Sacramental economy of the Church. (Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1213; Code of Canon Law, c. 849).  

Preparation

From the Diocese of Rochester – Policies for the Administration of the Sacraments, 1.3:

The parents of infants to be baptized “…are to be instructed properly on the meaning of this Sacrament and the obligations attached to it. The pastor personally or through others is to take care that the parents are properly instructed through both pastoral advice and common prayer, bringing several families together and, where possible, visiting them.” (Code of Canon Law, c. 851, §2). 

  • It is the duty of the priest, assisted by others, to prepare families for the Baptism of their children and to help them in the task of Christian formation which they have undertaken. It is the duty of the Bishop to coordinate such pastoral efforts in the Diocese with the help of priests, deacons and well-formed laity. 

Reasonable flexibility and pastoral prudence are advised in the matter of preparation programs.

  • Parents should be provided with suitable means such as books, letters addressed to them, and catechetical materials designed for families and based upon the Catechism of the Catholic Church. (Cf. RBC, 5§1).
  • The parish program of preparation should be directed toward enabling parents to show a genuine commitment to the faith and to the Church on their own behalf and on behalf of the child.
    • Parents must be informed of the options available to them in the celebration of Baptism, as indicated in the Rite. They are also to be involved in the planning of the celebration.
    • It is better if the preparation begins before the child is born, but it may begin after. 

    Godparents

    Diocese of Rochester – Policies for the Administration of the Sacraments, 1.4:

    Those who are to undertake the function of sponsor (godparent) are to be instructed properly on the meaning of this Sacrament and the obligations attached to it, assuming all live within reasonable distances of the parish. (Cf. Code of Canon Law, c. 851 §2).

    The sponsor (godparent), together with the parents, presents an infant for Baptism and helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with Baptism, and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it. (Cf. Code of Canon Law, c. 872). 

    Prerequisites for Sponsors:

    • “There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.” (Code of Canon Law, c. 873).
    • To take on the function of sponsor, a person must have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function and “must have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless a different age has been established by the diocesan bishop or it seems to the pastor or minister that an exception is to be made for a just cause.” (Code of Canon Law, c. 874, §1, 2°).
    • The sponsor/godparent be a fully initiated Catholic (having received Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) who leads a life of faith, is not bound by any canonical penalty, and is not the father or mother of the one to be baptized. (Cf. Code of Canon Law, c. 874, §1, 3°-5°).
    • “A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness to the Baptism.” (Code of Canon Law, c. 874, §2). 
    • These norms also apply to sponsors involved in the OCIA. 

    Here is the Baptismal Sponsor Eligibility Agreement based on these guidelines: Godparent Form