Infant Baptism at Sacred Heart Catholic Church

The Sacrament of Baptism welcomes a newborn into the Catholic Church as well as into a specific parish.
Therefore, it is best that she/he be baptized where the parent(s) currently worship on Sundays. If you are a member of Sacred Heart Parish - meaning that you worship here on Sundays - your child should be baptized here. If for a good reason you want to have your baby baptized at another church, you need to fulfill their requirements in preparation for the sacrament.

As a member of Sacred Heart Church you need to do the following in preparation of your child's baptism here:

1. Call the Adult Faith Formation Office @ 729-9135 to register for the Baptism Preparation Classes. Two Baptismal classes are required in preparation for the infant's Baptism. These classes are held on the first and second Tuesdays of each month starting at 7.p.m. in Room 105 of Sacred Heart School. Both parents and godparents are to attend prior to the Baptism.

 

Please keep in mind the following requirements of Parents:

1. Bring a copy of your child's Birth Certificate when you come to the first class
2. Parents who are registered at another parish will bring a letter of permission signed by the pastor giving permission to have their child(ren) baptized here.
3. Parents not married by the Catholic Church can still have their child baptized, but should be attending church regularly and should be working toward having their marriage convalidated.

 

In choosing godparents, please keep in mind the following requirements:

1. The Godparent's responsibility is to foster the faith of your child and to reflect to their godchild the meaning of life as a Catholic discipleship.
2. The Code of Canon Law (Church Law) requires that the godparent be at least 16 years of age; be practicing Catholics who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.
3. If married, they must be married in the Catholic Church.
4. If single, they must not be co-habitating.
5. A non-Catholic may serve as a Christian Witness but there must be at least one Catholic God parent.

 

If your child is over the age of five, the following requirements apply:

1. Children over the age of five need to enter a sacramental religious education program to prepare them for Baptism and First Holy Communion.
2. The contact person for religious education sessions is Gloria Scott @ 729-8283

 

Keep in mind the following in mind when scheduling your child’s Baptism:

• Baptisms are normally held after the Saturday 6:00 p.m. Mass, after the Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass, or after the Sunday 4:30 p.m. Mass (in Spanish).
• There are usually no Baptisms during Lent.
• Parents will indicate their preference at the Parent session, or by calling 729-9135.

 

Confirmation

Those who have been baptized continue the path of Christian Initiation through the Sacrament of Confirmation. In this sacrament they receive the Holy Spirit who was sent upon the Apostles by the Lord on the day of Pentecost. The gift of the Holy Spirit conforms believers more perfectly to Christ and strengthens them to bear witness to Christ for the building up of His Body in faith and love. They are so marked with the character or seal of the Lord that the Sacrament of Confirmation cannot be repeated. (CIC 879,845 RC 1 & 2)
Requirements

• Be baptized and able to renew Baptismal promises
• Exhibit a faith life and knowledge of the Church
• Participate in sacramental life of the church; especially Eucharistic liturgies
• Willing to commit to active involvement in Confirmation preparation
• Willing to respond to the call to active ministry
• Willing to continue to learn and grow in faith following Confirmation and throughout their life

Confirmation is a two year journey in which the classes begin meeting in September and conclude in May. They meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm. First