Individual Baptisms are now being scheduled.
Baptism Workshops now available on Zoom.  
Baptism

Waters of God
 
Baptism, the first and fundamental sacrament is the gate to the other sacraments. Baptism is the purifying and sanctifying sacrament of rebirth and the means by which its recipients are incorporated into the Church in a bond of unity.  Baptism frees a person from original sin and makes that person a member of the Body of Christ, thus being the way to a new and spiritual life. It is administered by immersing the recipient in water or by pouring water on the person’s head ( Infusion or Immersion information) while saying the following “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. One must be baptized before sharing in any of the other sacraments. Baptism is the foundation for all ministry and life in the church, and confers a commitment to follow Christ and spread his message throughout the world. Furthermore, in baptism, one is incorporated into the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and thus participates in the gift of resurrection and eternal life with Christ.  Baptisms are done by Priests or Deacons.
 
Infants can be baptized soon after birth up to age 7.  At the time of baptism, parents vow to practice their faith and provide a Catholic upbringing for the child. Adults who have never been baptized take part in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), and will typically be baptized at the Easter Vigil. The Catholic Church recognizes baptisms from other Christian denominations that baptize using water and the formula “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”. Thus, a person can only be baptized once.
 
Baptisms are celebrated in English on one Saturday of each month at 10 AM. Baptisms are celebrated in Spanish on the same Saturday as the English Baptism but at 12 PM. Please check the schedule for available dates.  Baptisms may also be celebrated at a Sunday liturgy. Information about baptisms at Mass will be given at the baptism workshop.

• To begin the process, parents fill out a Baptism Registration Form and the chosen godparents complete a Godparent Form.
  Guidelines for Godparents:

• Godparents must have received the Catholic sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist (1^st Communion) and Confirmation

• must be age 16 or older

• must be practicing Catholics who attend Sunday Mass on a regular basis

• If married they must be married in the Catholic Church

• If two godparents are chosen, one must be a man and one a woman.

• If one godparent is chosen, there may be a Christian witness - a baptized member of another Christian tradition – who will participate in the ceremony as a sponsor. The Christian witness is the opposite sex of the godparent.

• Attendance by parents and godparents is required at a baptism preparation workshop.  Workshops are held once a month in the evening.   A preferred workshop date is noted on the Baptism Registration Form.  There is a $25.00 fee per child for the Baptism Workshop.  This fee can be brought to the church on the day of the baptism or mailed to the parish office in advance.

• Godparents who live out of the area may attend a baptism workshop at their home parish and provide written proof of attendance. 

• All baptism requirements (Baptism Registration Form, Godmother Form, Godfather Form, copy of child’s birth certificate, and baptism preparation workshop attendance) must be completed and returned for review at least 10 days prior to the desired date of Baptism.   The Baptism Coordinator ([email protected]) will contact you to schedule the baptism date. 

Families participating in Baptism at St. Joseph are invited to make a suggested donation of $75.00.  Donation envelopes will be provided on the day of the baptism.
 
For those individuals older than 7 seeking Baptism,  click here.