Welcome! We welcome your family on this joyous occasion of the celebration of your child’s/godchild’s baptism! We look forward to assisting your family in preparing for the baptism of your child. The baptism preparation session for the Pastorate is held at St. Joseph’s and designed to provide the formation and information needed to fully understand the Sacrament of Baptism and your role as a Catholic parent/godparent.
This page is designed to provide you with some basic information about the preparation process and requirements. It will outline the parish’s approach to infant baptism. The first consideration is also the most important: making the decision to baptize your child and what this decision means to you.
Please contact the Parish Office to register for a baptismal preparation class that is required for parents who have not attended a preparation class in the past 5 years. Classes are held on the first Sunday of each month at St Joseph church. See the calendar on this web site for times. Baptisms are done a month later on the first weekend of the month.
May the Lord continue to bless your lives with love and the assurance that this child will be held dearly in the palm of God’s hand!
What are the requirements for parents?
We invite you to contact us even before your child is born and to plan in advance.
What are the requirements for godparents (sponsors)?
Godparents are members of the Christian community who, by their lives and their faith, set a good example for the child whose initiation into this community they are sponsoring. Godparents may also support the parents in the upbringing of the child as a Catholic Christian. They should be able to stay in communication with the child as he or she is growing up.
When and where is the Baptism celebrated?
We encourage parents and godparents to celebrate the baptism of their children during Weekly Mass with the worshipping community. As a parish family we look forward to being there with you at one Eucharistic celebration at this important moment in your life.
Baptism - together with Eucharist and Confirmation - is one of the Sacraments of Initiation. It is communal by nature. In some circumstances baptisms are celebrated outside of mass. If you wish to have your child receive baptism outside of Mass, we ask that you discuss your reasons with the pastor or the associate pastor. We do encourage you to plan ahead and in advance and be conscious of the fact that our parish mass schedule fills quickly. Many other events are celebrated during the year.
Above all, we wish you to remember that Baptism is not an isolated event; it is an expression of your faith and a commitment on your part to raise your child in a Christian family and a Christian community. The focus is as much on you as it is on the child. Through the communal celebration of infant baptism, our Parishes expresses joy in welcoming a new member as well as live out their commitment to provide support and community of faith for you and your child as you undertake the mission of living as a Christian family.