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Sacrament of Baptism

BAPTISMAL REQUIREMENTS

Parents desiring to baptize their child at Good Shepherd Catholic Church are encouraged to make arrangements as soon as the child is born. Parents, godparents, or sponsors are required to attend a Pre-Baptismal class to explain the Sacrament of Baptism and the important role parents, godparents, and sponsors play in this sacrament and in the child’s spiritual life. Adults seeking Baptism are welcomed to our parish family. 

Infant Baptism
We are excited and blessed by your decision to have your child initiated in the Catholic Church. This journey of faith will continue as your child first comes to the table at First Communion and is later anointed at Confirmation.  In doing so, you are accepting the responsibility of educating your child in the practice of the faith. In baptizing your child in the Catholic Church you make a commitment to pass on the faith to your child by ensuring they understand and keep God's commandments as Christ taught us. There is no greater teacher than the living example of parents. The grace your child receives can only flourish if you are active participants in the Sacraments and the life of your parish. Good Shepherd offers several ways to help parents like you who are anxious to provide a Christian environment that will foster faith in Jesus Christ. Visit our Ministries, Worship & Parish Life pages.

You can come by the office to pick up a Baptism Packet or click on the document links below to print all the necessary documents to start your journey. Please take time to prepare all the required documents listed on the form, you should only contact the Baptism Coordinator once you have all the documents.  Keep in mind you will not be able to schedule a Baptism date until then. Once all the required documents are completed, you and the Baptism Coordinator can meet and select the Baptism date and a date for the parents and godparents to attend the Pre-Baptism class. Both parents must agree to have the child baptized and also be in agreement on the Godparents chosen for the child.

Baptism Application

 

Child Baptism - 7+ years old click here for Catechism.

Adult Baptism -18+ years old click here for Adult Catechesis. 

 

BAPTISM

The Beginning of New Life in Christ

Also called "The Door of the Sacraments," 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  (Catechism 1213).

Baptism is the beginning of new life in Christ.  A life of holiness sanctified by God's grace and made possible through this sacrament of initiation.  Sin is washed away when God enters our soul, just as darkness disappears in the light.  Through Baptism we enter into communion with Christ's death, burial and resurrection.  Through the Holy Spirit we are purified, justified and sanctified.  Baptism is the beginning of our life lived in holiness, our faith born in community, and membership in the Body of Christ, the Holy Catholic Church.

Through the work of Baptism:
- we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God in Christ
- we become members of the Body of Christ, incorporated into the Church, and become a temple of the Holy Spirit
- we share in the priesthood of Christ and the mission of the Church
- we are given new life in Christ through the Holy Spirit

Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship.

 

Receiving The Sacrament of Baptism:
Baptism is necessary for salvation and is validly conferred only by a washing of true water while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Canon 849).  In keeping with the sanctity of this sacrament, all who desire Baptism should reflect on the commitment that comes with choosing to follow Christ:

  • Having become a member of the Church, the person baptized belongs no longer to himself, but to Him who died and rose for us.  Therefore, he is called to serve, obey and submit to the will of God through the leadership and the mission of the Church (Catechism 1269).
  • Reborn as sons of God, the baptized must profess before men the faith they have received and participate in the apostolic and missionary activity of the People of God (Catechism 1270).
  • Parents must especially take great care to fulfill the role given to them by God as nurturers of the life entrusted to them  (Catechism 1251).
  • The task of Godparents is truly important.  In helping the newly baptized on the road to Christian life, they become formal teachers of the Church and along with the Church community take on the responsibility for the development and safeguarding of the grace given at Baptism (Catechsim 1255).