Baptism

Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God
without being born of water and Spirit. (John 3:5)

Baptisms are generally held at 12:00 noon
on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.
Please check with the office to confirm your desired date,
as we do adjust the dates and times occasionally
when they conflict with other parish events. 


Baptismal Prep Workshops are generally held on the second Tuesday
of the month in the Cathedral unless otherwise noted.

Baptism Dates 2025

May 11 & 25
June 8 & 22

July 13 & 27

August 10 & 24

September 14 & 28

October 12 & 26

November 9 & 23

December 14 & 28

Baptismal Prep Dates 2025

May 13

June 10

July 8

August 12

September 9

October 14

November  11

December 9


SELECTION AND ROLE OF GODPARENTS


When choosing godparents, there should be a well-founded hope that the godparents will be a part of the child's life. The role of the godparent is to assist the parents in raising the child in the Catholic faith.

Every person being baptized, whether child of adult, must have a sponsor.

Canon Law permits one godparent of each gender - a godfather and a godmother. These sponsors have to meet the following requirements in order to witness the baptism:

  • Must not be the parents of the one being baptized
  • Must be 16 years of age or older
  • Must be confirmed (one godparent MUST be confirmed)

If someone cannot find two practicing Catholics to be godfather and godmother, then one sponsor can be Catholic and the other a Christian Witness.


The sacrament of baptism ushers us into the divine life, cleanses us from sin, and initiates us as members of the Christian community. It is the foundation for the sacramental life.

At baptism, the presider prays over the water:
Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give to this water the grace of your Son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit. (Christian Initiation of Adults, #222A)

Freed from Sin

Baptism frees us from the bondage of original and actual sin. Water is poured in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Today, the sacrament of baptism is often performed on infants, shortly after birth. Adult baptisms take place at the Easter Vigil through the restored Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Adults or children who have been baptized in a valid Christian church are not baptized again in the Catholic church. As we say in the Nicene Creed, “I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins…”

The Catechism teaches:
"The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ" (CCC 1279).

Baptismal Symbols

  • Water – The waters of baptism recall Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Water is a symbol of cleansing and renewal as we begin a new life in Christ. We are washed clean of sin.
  • Oil – At baptism we are anointed into the life of Christ as “priest, prophet and king.” A cross is traced on the candidate’s forehead as a reminder that we are inheritors of the Kingdom of God.
  • Light – The baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal or Easter candle that stands in the church as a sign of Christ’s light in the world. At baptism, we receive the light of Christ and are called forth to share this light with the world.
  • White garment – The white garment that is placed upon us at baptism is a symbol of Christ’s victory over death and his glorious resurrection. Likewise, the white garment or pall that is placed over the coffin at the time of death recalls our baptismal promises and reminds us that we are destined for eternal life.
While in ordinary circumstances, sacraments in the Catholic Church are administered validly by a member of the ordained clergy, in an emergency situation, the sacrament of baptism can be administered by anyone.

In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pour water on the candidates head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1284).

Baptism Request Form