Baptism

Go 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 28:19-28

The sacrament of baptism is birth into new life — not just in our family, but also in the Catholic community.

Baptism is an important Sacrament, and being baptized is an important part of being initiated into the family of the Catholic Church. Water baptism is an act of obedience and represents forgiveness and unity with Christ and the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), 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 in the word.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 1213

As good parents you care for the physical and emotional needs of your child, and as Christian parents you will care for the spiritual needs of your son or daughter by presenting your child for Baptism. Baptism is the foundational sacrament of Christian life and for membership in God’s Church. Jesus Christ, while on the cross, gave us Baptism from the very waters that poured from his pierced heart, and in this sacrament we see how much God truly loves us. The Sacrament of Baptism has profound and eternal effects.

When a person is baptized he or she is:

Made a new creation, an adopted son or daughter of God, who has become partaker of the divine nature. – CCC 1265
A member of the Body of Christ, the Church. – CCC 1267
Freed from the power of darkness and is brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God. – CCC 1250
Able to believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the theological virtues; Given the power to love and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit; Helped to grow in the goodness through the moral virtues. – CCC 1266

Baptism at St. Catherine’s

State issued Birth Certificate for the child.
Parents and Godparents must attend a Baptism class.

There is a class for parents and godparents the second Tuesday of every month in English and the Second Thursday in Spanish at 7: 00 PM in the basement of the Church (MJC). The class lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. You must register for the baptism at the parish office prior to the Friday before the class.

Must be 16 years or older.
Not be the parent of the person receiving the sacrament.
Godparents should be a man and a woman or an individual man or individual woman, no same-sex godparents.
Be a practicing Catholic who attends Mass on a regular basis (Every Saturday or Sunday including days of obligation). Receive the Holy Eucharist regularly and frequently, making use of the Sacrament of Confession.
Be an active member of a Catholic church. (For example.).
- Be registered at St. Catherine of Siena or at another church for 6 months or longer
- Use the offertory envelope issued by the church
- Participate in volunteer work at a church – for example in the choir, teaching catechism, usher etc.
Must be in good standing with the church
- Received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion (Must provide a certificate of Confirmation.)
- If married, it must be in the Catholic Church – Individuals who are civilly married or living as a common law couple CANNOT be sponsors. (Must provide a certificate of marriage issued by a Catholic Church.)
- If single, cannot be cohabitating with another individual as a couple.

Only one of the godparents must be a full active member of the Catholic Church. The second person must at the least be a baptized Christian and can then be a Christian Witness along with the Catholic Godparent.
Parents or godparents who have participated in classes in the last three years in another Parish do not need to take the class again. We do ask that you bring proof with the date of class and the name of the parish where the class was taken.
Each child will receive a baptismal candle, but you can bring your own if you choose.
We encourage you to take pictures during the baptism – it is important that you keep a memory of this special day.

If you are seeking Baptism as an adult, visit our Becoming Catholic page. We are happy to celebrate your Baptism and your initiation into supernatural life.

Becoming Catholic

LEARN MORE

The first of the seven sacraments, and the “door” which gives access to the other sacraments. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the “sacraments of initiation” by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ.

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Becky Garcia

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April 23, 2025 in Announcement

Pope Francis has passed away

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