BAPTISM
“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”
The holy sacrament of baptism is for everybody
“We ask you, Father, with your Son, to send the Holy Spirit upon the water of this font. May all who are buried with Christ in the death of baptism rise also with him to newness of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.” ~From The Rite of Baptism.
This prayer, used to bless the water of baptism, tells the whole story of why Christians have celebrated this rite from the earliest days of church history. Baptism makes us members of The Body of Christ, unites us with his death and rising, washes away sin and confers God’s abundant grace so that we may lead lives of holiness. No small matter, even for a small child!
Baptism, by its very nature, is available to any person of any age. Adult candidates for baptism are normally prepared for the sacrament through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.), a process which culminates in all three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) at the Easter Vigil. Prospective candidates should call the parish office to inquire about this process.
If you wish to celebrate the sacrament of baptism for you or for your children, fill in the application, and bring it directly to the parish office.
For adults
Adult candidates for baptism normally prepare for the sacrament through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), a process that culminates in the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) at the Easter Vigil.
Potential candidates should call the office for information on this process.
For more information visit RCIA
For children
Baptism preparation (ENGLISH) for Parents and Godparents will be offered upon request. We must have at least 2 weeks notice for classes.
At Christ the King Parish, parents and godparents are required to attend Baptism preparation classes.
We look forward to our time of prayer and reflection together as we prepare for
your child to become a child of God and a member of His church family. Classes will be presented by Lynne Lane. Please contact the office. Registered parishioners are invited to have their children baptized at Christ the King.
In preparing for your child’s BAPTISM
- Parents must be active, registered parishioners at Christ the King Catholic Church.
- A copy of the child’s birth certificate is required before the baptism can be scheduled.
- Parents must complete the Baptism Preparation Registration Form. Godparents must also complete the Registration Form for Godparents.
- Parents and godparents are required to attend one Baptism Preparation class.
- After attending the classes, you may set a date for the baptism.
- Godparents, if married, must be married in the Catholic Church and be members in good standing of their parish. If single, godparents must be in good standing in their parish as well.
- If the godparents live out of town, they must attend a class at their local parish and send us proof of attendance along with a letter of good standing in their parish.
- Copy of your child’s birth certificate
- Fill out application to celebrate the sacrament of baptism
- Fill out the godparent form
- Parents and godparents must attend the baptism preparation class
Godparents
Godparents must be at least 16 years of age, baptized, and confirmed practicing Catholics.
If married, the marriage must be in good standing with the Church.
To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor, please read the following:
Can. 874 §1:
To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:
- Be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function.
- Have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause.
- Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on.
Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared. - Not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.
- A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Christ the King does not require that parents be registered parishioners at our beloved parish. However, in order to baptize your child at Christ the King, parents must complete the Baptism preparation class.
The Church does not charge for the sacramental celebration. Families are encouraged to give a donation on the day of their child’s Baptsim.
Only one godparent is required. You may select two godparents, one male and one female. You should chose them based on their ability to help you raise your child in the belief and teachings of the Catholic Church.
Parents are to be properly prepared for living out the commitment they are making (i.e., to raise their child in the Catholic faith) and for being able to celebrate the Sacrament with understanding as to its impact, beauty, significance, and nature. Therefore, parents are required to attend Baptism Preparation Sessions before their children are baptized. Unless of a dire emergency or grave cause, this cannot be exempted.
The role of a godparent is very valuable in the Christian formation of a baptized child. Therefore, godparents must be prepared in order to fulfill their roles in the Baptismal Rite and in assisting the parents in their duties of raising the child in the practice of the Catholic faith.
No. Both godparents must be baptized Christians. At least one godparent must be Catholic and an active, registered parishioner of a parish. The role of a godparent isn’t an honorary duty on the day of baptism, but a lifetime of shared faith with the child.
Brothers or sisters of a child to be baptized may indeed be godparents providing that they are at least 16 years of age, have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function, be Confirmed Catholic and have celebrated their First Communion and not be bound by any canonical penalty (i.e., such as married outside the Catholic Church).
There is nothing that prevents a child born to parents who are not validly married in the Catholic Church from being baptized. Christ the King welcomes with open arms your decision to baptize your child in the Catholic faith. As such, you may wish to discuss having your marriage convalidated (recognized) by the Catholic Church, please contact our parish priest.
Nothing prevents a child born to parents who are not married from being baptized within the Catholic church provided that the parent(s) of that child is/are properly disposed, has/have been appropriately prepared, understand(s) the responsibilities that come with having the child baptized and is/are willing to fulfill the commitment undertaken to raise the child in the rich principles of the Catholic faith. Also, at any time, if you would like to discuss preparing for marriage, please contact our parish priest.
It is important that the parish be able to properly identify and verify the child’s birth information (i.e. parent’s names, legal name of child, etc.) when preparing the Baptism Certificate.
It can take up to 3 months after the child is born to receive the birth certificate. If you do not yet have a birth certificate, please provide us with the Birth Verification Facts that you received at the hospital. Upon obtaining the birth certificate, please fax a copy to the attention of Mrs. Petra Mojica at (903) 483 2500 or email a scanned copy to: [email protected]. A copy of a state issued birth certificate for children older than 3 months must be in the parish office prior to scheduling the baptism.
There is nothing in particular that you need to bring to the Baptism beyond, of course, the parties of interest such as yourself, the child, godparents, any Christian Witnesses, and family and friends as you see fit. If your child is not dressed in white, the family is to provide the child with a white baptismal bib (can be purchased at any Catholic gift store). The parish will provide you with a Baptism candle. However, if you bring your own candle, simply inform the deacon or priest just prior to the Baptismal Rite
