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BaptismBaptism is the first of three Sacraments of Christian Initiation, with Confirmation and Eucharist being the other two. The primary effect of Baptism is the beginning of a new life in Christ. With the Church, we believe that the grace we receive from the Sacrament of Baptism has the following effects:
- Removal of original sin and of actual sin, if present |
Baptism for Infants and Children (Under 7):
Parents seeking to have a child under the age of seven baptized are asked to be registered members of St. Susanna and should attend a Baptismal Preparation Class so that they understand the promises of raising their children in the Catholic faith. Parents, as nurturers of the life that God entrusted to them, are the primary catechists of their children. The whole church community also bears some responsibility for the development and safeguarding of the grace given at Baptism. This help comes from both Godparents/Sponsors and from the church in the form of religious education and faith formation. Post-baptisimal catechesis is necessary for personal growth.
Parents seeking to have an infant or child under the age of seven baptized may contact the Director of Faith Formation for more information or to schedule a Baptismal Preparation Class.
Baptism for Adults and Children Who Have Reached the Age of Reason (Age 7):
Adults and children who have reached the age of reason (age seven) who are unbaptized or baptized in another Christian faith tradition and desire to embrace the Catholic faith are encourage to take part in the normal process to prepare to receive Baptism, an initiation process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC). Both adults and children are fully initiated into the Catholic Church through this process, celebrating Baptism (if needed), Confirmation and Eucharist.
Parents seeking to have a child above the age of seven, but younger than middle school age baptized may contact the Coordinator of Children's Faith Formation for more information.
Adults and parents of middle and/or high school aged youth interested in Baptism may contact the Coordinator of High School Faith Formation for more information on the RCIC/RCIA process.
Godparents and Sponsors:
The role of godparent/sponsor is a serious obligation as they are required to spiritually care for the person they are sponsoring by prayer and encouragement, assisting the parents in protecting the faith of the child. For more on the requirements and responsibilities of godparents/sponsors in the RCIA/RCIC process, please click HERE. Baptism requires either two godparents/sponsors or one godparent/sponsor and one Christian witness (baptized non-Catholic Christian who attests to the occurrence of Baptism, but is not expected to ensure the faith of the newly baptized). The requirements of godparents/sponsors are as follows:
- Be Catholic
- Have been baptized, confirmed and received Communion
- Be 16 years of age or older
- Living a life consistent with their own baptismal vows
- Not the father or mother of the one to be baptized
Parents seeking to have a child under the age of seven baptized are asked to be registered members of St. Susanna and should attend a Baptismal Preparation Class so that they understand the promises of raising their children in the Catholic faith. Parents, as nurturers of the life that God entrusted to them, are the primary catechists of their children. The whole church community also bears some responsibility for the development and safeguarding of the grace given at Baptism. This help comes from both Godparents/Sponsors and from the church in the form of religious education and faith formation. Post-baptisimal catechesis is necessary for personal growth.
Parents seeking to have an infant or child under the age of seven baptized may contact the Director of Faith Formation for more information or to schedule a Baptismal Preparation Class.
Baptism for Adults and Children Who Have Reached the Age of Reason (Age 7):
Adults and children who have reached the age of reason (age seven) who are unbaptized or baptized in another Christian faith tradition and desire to embrace the Catholic faith are encourage to take part in the normal process to prepare to receive Baptism, an initiation process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC). Both adults and children are fully initiated into the Catholic Church through this process, celebrating Baptism (if needed), Confirmation and Eucharist.
Parents seeking to have a child above the age of seven, but younger than middle school age baptized may contact the Coordinator of Children's Faith Formation for more information.
Adults and parents of middle and/or high school aged youth interested in Baptism may contact the Coordinator of High School Faith Formation for more information on the RCIC/RCIA process.
Godparents and Sponsors:
The role of godparent/sponsor is a serious obligation as they are required to spiritually care for the person they are sponsoring by prayer and encouragement, assisting the parents in protecting the faith of the child. For more on the requirements and responsibilities of godparents/sponsors in the RCIA/RCIC process, please click HERE. Baptism requires either two godparents/sponsors or one godparent/sponsor and one Christian witness (baptized non-Catholic Christian who attests to the occurrence of Baptism, but is not expected to ensure the faith of the newly baptized). The requirements of godparents/sponsors are as follows:
- Be Catholic
- Have been baptized, confirmed and received Communion
- Be 16 years of age or older
- Living a life consistent with their own baptismal vows
- Not the father or mother of the one to be baptized