So What Is Baptism?
The Sacrament of Baptism (sometimes called a Christening) is a Sacrament of welcoming into the Church. The first of three official Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism is a person’s first step in the Christian life, inviting him or her into the family of the Church and providing a “gateway to the life of the Spirit” and a “door which gives access to the other sacraments.” Coming from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, those descriptions give a little insight into the importance of this wonderful Sacrament. To be baptized is to be received, enlightened, washed, and renewed in the love and Spirit of God. Reflecting the Baptism of Jesus himself, it’s a moment in which a person begins a lifelong journey of faith, surrounded by loved ones and the Church.
The action of baptism is actually pretty simple and straightforward. Water is poured over the head of the one being baptized as the priest or deacon declares, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” It’s a simple action but one that has immense and incredible effects, as the newly baptized person has been claimed for Christ, joyfully received by the community of faith, strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and freed from the stain of Original Sin. It truly is a wonderful way to be welcomed.
We Want Our Child Baptized… What Do We Do?
If you have a child ready to be baptized, congratulations! We’re excited that you have an interest in your child being baptized here at Saint John Bosco Parish. We ask that you contact the Parish Office to express that interest and find out more information.
Starting this Fall, our parish baptisms are scheduled monthly; all families seeking baptism each month are invited to join one special group Baptismal Mass and Ceremony just for them at 12:30pm at St Mary Church. Please contact the parish office for dates and to arrange.
How Do We Prepare?
As with any sacrament, the better prepared you feel to receive it, the more powerful the sacrament becomes in your life.
- Families complete a short helpful preparation course online before attending a required preparation gathering scheduled on the Thursday evening before their Sunday ceremony.
- The Thursday gathering will take place in the St Mary Church Hall from 5:30 – 7:30pm where families will learn about the beauty of the sacrament of Baptism, review what to expect during the ceremony, and hear tips for raising happy Catholic kids! Light refreshments will be served, babies are welcome to attend, and babysitting can be arranged upon request for baby’s siblings.
But What If I’m Not A Baby?
While most baptisms in the Catholic Church are of babies, we also welcome anyone who is interested in joining our Church and becoming a member of our family of faith. Depending on your age and past religious affiliation, there are different routes that can be taken either toward being baptized into the Church or possibly being fully initiated into the Church through all three Sacraments of Initiation.
For adults interested in becoming Catholic for the first time or becoming fully initiated into the Church, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults process might be for you.