It has been the practice of the Roman Catholic Church from the earliest times to administer the sacrament of Baptism even to infants. Parents very naturally want to pass along their own faith to their child and their values that flow from that faith. Baptism marks the beginning of this faith life.
Blessed Pope John Paul II called the family the Domestic Church, the Christian home where the child begins to experience life as part of a collection of families called the Church. At Baptism, the parents and sponsors along with the whole Christian community take upon themselves the responsibility to make the Church and the world a place that will offer the newly baptized the love and support needed to grow to full Christian adulthood.
To begin the process of preparing for the Sacrament of Baptism please contact Terry Melanson in the parish office 215.884.8575 ext. 103.
BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS
Parents are required to attend a Baptism Preparation Class. Godparents are also encouraged to attend the class.
The requirement of the Church in the matter of sponsors is stated in Canon Law: Canon #872 — “In the baptism of children, a godparent is to be present in order to represent the expansion of the spiritual family of the one to be baptized and the role of the Church as a mother. As occasion offers, the godparent helps the parents to lead the child to profess the faith and to show this by living it.” A Godparent must be a practicing Catholic. More information on the requirements to assume the role of Godparent is included in the Preparation Booklet you will receive from the parish. A “Letter of Eligibility” must be provided which is obtained from the church of the intended Godparent.
SCHEDULING THE BAPTISM
At the Baptism Preparation Class you will receive the Information Envelope which you will fill out with the required information. When you return the completed Information Envelope to the Parish Office, containing the Letters of Eligibility for the Godparents, you may schedule the date for your child’s Baptism. Baptism is normally celebrated in our parish on the fourth Sunday of the month at 11:30am. These arrangements should be made for Baptism before other plans are considered.