Baptism
Begin Your Journey as a Child of God
Are you looking to become a godparent or baptize your child? If you are interested, please email info@sma-parish.org to sign up and for potential virtual baptism class dates!
Our Christian life begins with Holy Baptism which frees us from sin and makes us God’s children, members of his family—the Church—and sharers in Christ’s mission. To be freed from the power of darkness and to enjoy the freedom of God’s children, children also need new birth in Baptism—to deny an infant Baptism would rob him/her of this priceless grace (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1213 & 1250).
Baptism Of Adults
Adults receive their baptismal preparation through the OCIA Program.
Baptism of Children Over Age 6
Children over age 6 receive baptismal preparation through our Family of Faith program.
Baptism Of Infants
1) Choose Godparents who are practicing Catholics
You may choose one godparent or two (in this case, one of each sex). [Guide to Choosing and Being a Good Godparent].
[check out: The Role of a Catholic Godparent – Relevant Radio]
A godparent must be:
• A Confirmed Catholic, who receives the Holy Eucharist and Confession regularly;
• Not the child’s father or mother;
• At least sixteen years old;
• Leads a life in harmony with the Faith and the role to be undertaken (cf. Code of Canon Law, 874 and Guide to Choosing and Being a Good Godparent, p. 4 and page 8 & 9 for examples).
2) Receive Baptismal Instruction
Parents and godparents must attend one baptismal class before the Baptism can take place (if you have attended a class for a previous Baptism within three years then providing a letter or certificate of attendance from any Catholic Parish suffices).
In Person Class:
In English – 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm.
In Spanish – 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm.
You must register for the Baptism class 3 days in advance:
Registration for Parents Registration for Godparents
3) Parents Reserve a Date for Baptism
English: First and Third Sunday of the month at 1:30 pm
Spanish: Second Sunday at 1:30 pm and third Saturday at 9:30 am
Polish: Please contact the Parish Office
To reserve the date: Parents need to complete the form below and send it to the Parish Office with a photocopy of the child’s birth certificate.
Baptismal Reservations will be confirmed only after Parents and Godparents have attended Baptism Class, or have a certificate of previous class attendance.
4) Godparents complete and have the Testimonial letter signed
Godparents need to complete the Testimonial letter (you can receive it at the class). Once the form is completed, the Godparents need to take the form to their parish to be signed and sealed by their priest/pastor, confirming that they fulfill the Godparent requirements.
Please contact the Parish Office for any questions. 773-278-2644 ext: 221
