What is Baptism?

Baptism is the sacrament of rebirth into life in Jesus. Through it comes the forgiveness of sins, adoption into God’s family, new life in Christ, and membership into His body, the Church.

The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus.  Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist.  The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters.  . . .  Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin.  However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptize all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin – Original and actual – and begin to live a new life with God. In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ’s call to holiness. In Baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love. (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults) 

Baptisms at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church

• You must be a registered member of Our Lady of Grace Parish to have your child baptized at Our Lady of Grace.  Parents and Godparents will be required to take a Baptism class and a copy of the Child's birth certificate will be required. 
• Non-registered members of Our Lady of Grace may request to be baptized but a letter of permission and  good standing from the home parish will be required.

• Godparents must be practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church. 
• They must have received the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation.  If they are married, they must have been married in the Catholic Church.  
• Godparents not registerd at Our Lady of Grace will be asked to provide a letter of good standing from the parish at which they are members. 

• Single godparents should not be living with their significant other. 
• Godparents must be married in the Catholic Church.  Divorced Catholics must have received an annulment through the church to meet the qualification of being a Godparent and, if remarried, must be married in the Catholic Church. 
• Catholics married in civil ceremonies only do not meet the requirements to be Godparents. 

Baptism Classes: The third Saturday of the month. To register for baptism class, all required paper work (child’s birth certificate, Godparents’ proof of sacraments and any other documents requested by the office) must be submitted to the office by no later than Friday the week before the scheduled class. A $15 fee is expected when registering for class. 

Online registration for Baptism classes is provided for your convenience but must be followed up with contact to office staff by phone or in person to insure that all requirements are being met. 
 

Online Baptism Registration