The Celebration of Infant Baptism

The celebration of Baptism is a most joyful and proud moment in the life of the Church

For adults seeking membership in the community of believers, it is a time of conversion, faith and commitment expressed and ratified in the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist. For infants, it is no less a time of conversion, faith, and commitment but the reference point now is the parents of the one to be baptized and, by extension, the larger community of the church. As you contemplate the baptism of your child, we are glad to share a few ideas and invite you into a process of thoughtful preparation.

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Baptism introduces your child to the mystery of church

Through this sacrament your child first relates to the church, the mystical body of Christ, the local worshiping community. Too often, this sense of church as a major factor in baptism has been but a pale backdrop to what is perceived as primarily a private family event. At our Tri-parish community, both our preparation for and actual celebration of baptism strive to develop and affirm this larger communal sense of the sacrament. It is for this reason that we expect those who present their children for baptism to be worshiping members of the parish. It is for this reason that our preparation program brings together a number of families in a setting to meet, discuss and pray with each other. For this same reason we often schedule baptism during mass on certain Sundays of the year, i.e. when the larger parish community can be present. In what follows we will lay out a typical scenario for infant baptism.

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First Steps

• After your child is born please call the parish office of the church which you wish to celebrate the baptism.

• The parents of the child must make the first contact because of their promise to raise the child in the Roman Catholic faith.  It is our hope that the parents are practicing the Catholic faith by attending Mass, a life of prayer, and a life of discipleship.  

• Whoever you choose to be godparents, one must be a practicing & confirmed Roman Catholic.  If one is baptized in another Christian tradition, they can be a Christian witness.  Any non-baptized person (or person in a non-Christian faith) is not eligible. 

• Any special circumstances can be discussed when you contact a clergy or staff member.

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When are Baptisms scheduled?

At Immaculate Conception​

• Any Sunday at Mass (except during Lent) ​

• The 1st Sunday of the month at 1:00pm

• The 3rd Saturday of the month at 1:00pm

At St. Josephs

• At 4:00pm Saturday Mass (Sunday Vigil Mass) (except during Lent)

• Any Saturday at 2:00pm or Sunday at 1:00pm

At Our Lady of Grace

• At 11:00am Sunday Mass (except during Lent)

• Outside of Mass, Sundays at 1:00pm​​

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You are welcome to have the Baptism celebrated at any of our three churches.

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Baptismal Preparation

Parents will be required to attend a Baptismal preparation session, godparents are welcome to attend.

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Other Circumstances

• Adults are prepared for baptism through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)​  

​When you are ready, please call one of the parish offices.

• If a child is 7 years old and above, please contact our Faith Formation & Discipleship office

mariayorkshire@icglenville.com​​​

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