Baptism

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."
(Mt 28:19-20)

To baptize means to “plunge” or to “immerse” into the water.  Baptism is a sacrament in which we receive God’s life and love. It takes away original sin, and we become children of God. In Baptism, we celebrate a new birth; we are reborn into the life of God.

Through Baptism, we are empowered by sacramental grace to turn over our lives, fully and constantly, to the God who loves us. The grace of Baptism allows us to overcome our sins of envy, selfishness, lust, and greed and to fall ever more deeply in love with God. God's grace also enables us to live according to the moral teachings of Christ and His Church, to keep the commandments, and to truly live our parish motto:  "Love One Another."

Baptism is the Church's way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God.
For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults.

Parents need to provide the child’s Certificate of Birth. The certificate issued by the hospital is not valid for baptism (this is not considered a government document).

Baptism Sponsor Guidelines

1. Sponsors can be individuals older than 16 who have already received the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and communion). They must also be practicing Catholics.
2. Should the sponsors be married, the marriage must have been in the Roman Catholic Church.   Sponsors may be required to present a copy of the marriage certificate issued by the Church, NOT a copy of the marriage license.
3. A single person may also serve as a sponsor. However, this person may not be living with someone in a civil marriage or common law relationship. Single sponsors will be asked to provide a copy of their Confirmation certificate.
4. Sponsors should attend the Sunday Mass regularly and observe Holy Days of Obligation.
5. The sponsor for any candidate may be male or female.
6. Each child must have a sponsor who may serve one or more children.
7. Neither the mother nor father of a candidate may be a sponsor. 

Parents need to remember that the information on the baptism certificate reflects that on the birth certificate. If a change needs to be made, the parents must have made the changes before baptizing the child. We cannot make any changes; the names will be registered as stated on the child’s birth certificate.   

Parents and sponsors are required to attend a pre-baptismal class. If they cannot attend, they will have to make arrangements to attend at a later date or at another parish. In any case, the baptism cannot be realized until both have fulfilled this requirement. 

There is no fee for the pre-baptismal class. However, it is customary for the parents or godparents to offer a donation to the church for the baptism.

Baptisms for infants are celebrated monthly. Parents and sponsors are required to attend a pre-baptismal class.

Please contact the Church Office at 972-279-6155 for the schedule and to register.

If an infant or adult requires baptism in an emergency (e.g., sudden illness or terminal case), advise the parish office immediately. Unexpected travel is not considered grounds for said case. 

For children over the age of seven seeking baptism, parents should contact Miryam Romero in the Faith Formation office at 972.279.6155 x 118 to register for RCIA adapted for children.

For Adults seeking baptism, please call the parish office at 972-279-6155.

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua),4 and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word." CCC 1213
  
This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out: to baptize (Greek baptizein) means to "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature." CCC 1214 
  
This sacrament is also called "the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit," for it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one "can enter the kingdom of God." CCC 1215 
  
"This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their understanding. . . ." Having received in Baptism the Word, "the true light that enlightens every man," the person baptized has been "enlightened," he becomes a "son of light," indeed, he becomes "light" himself: Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift. . . .We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship. CCC 1216