Baptism

Bulletin

Baptisms of Infants and of Children Under Seven Years of Age
The sacrament of Baptism in English is celebrated at 1:00 PM on the third Sunday of each month, and in Spanish on the first, second and fourth Sundays of each month, except during Lent, when no Baptisms are celebrated as we prepare for Easter. (Medical emergencies are excepted.) Children who have reached their seventh birthday are initiated into Church membership through a separate process called the Rite of Christian Initiation. For sacraments for children seven years of age or over, please contact the Religious Education office.

The Baptism Process
Begin by calling the rectory office at (631) 427-0638 for an appointment
for a brief interview between the parents and member of the parish staff.

In addition to the interview, the Baptism process consists of one meeting:

In English:

A class for parents (Godparents welcomed) is held on the Wednesday before the Sunday Baptism. It is held in the church at 7:30 PM, the class involves the study of the family as a "Domestic Church", and of the symbols and rituals embodied in the Sacrament.
The Baptism ceremony is held on the third Sunday of the month at 1:00 PM in the Church. Please invite as many people as you like. We gather with the minister of the Sacrament, readers, musicians and assisting parishioners to welcome your child.

In Spanish:

1. A class for parents (Godparents welcomed) is held on the third Sunday of the month at 10 am in the parish center.

2. The Baptism ceremony is held on either the first, second, or fourth Sunday of
the month at 1:00 PM in the church.

What about Godparents?
At least one godparent is required for Baptism. S/he must be a practicing Roman Catholic, at least 16 years old and have received the sacrament of Confirmation. A second godparent is welcome; s/he must be a baptized Christian (not necessarily Roman Catholic), at least 16 years old and of the other sex than the first godparent. More than two godparents are not allowed.

Special Circumstances
Baptisms in cases of medical emergencies can be arranged at once. Simply call the rectory. Friends or relatives who are ordained Roman Catholic priests or deacons are welcome to share in the parish ceremony and to baptize the child for whom they participate. Such arrangements should be made at the initial interview. Baptisms cannot be scheduled for private family groups, since Baptism is a celebration of the parish communion of faith. Baptisms may, at a family's request, be celebrated at the hour of Sunday Mass at which a family worships each week (with some limitations). Contact the parish at 427-0638 or parish@sthugh.org for information.

The celebration is only the beginning! It is in living the baptism that we grow in Christ as a family.

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