Congratulations on the recent or upcoming birth of your new baby! The parish of Sacred Heart rejoices with you on this wonderful occasion.

Choosing baptism, and new life in the Christian faith, is the best gift that you can give your child! In asking that your child be baptized into the Catholic Church, you, as parents, also take upon yourselves a significant commitment. You will speak on behalf of your child at the baptism, promising to raise and educate your child in the Catholic faith "by your word and example".

We welcome the opportunity to assist you in accepting God's call to be Christian parents and to aid in your preparation for the celebration of your child's baptism.

Note: if your child to be baptized is age seven or older, please get in touch with us. If you are interested in baptism for an adult or a child above the age of 15, please click here for details about the RCIA program.

Baptism incorporates us into Christ and forms us into God's people. Cleansing us with water by the power of the living word, baptism rescues us from the power of darkness and washes away every stain of sin (original and personal). It makes us sharers in God's own life and his adopted children — a new creation through water and the Holy Spirit. Hence we are called, and are indeed, the children of God! (from "Christian Initiation: General Introduction")

In baptism, a child is claimed by Christ and enters into communion with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The child is also welcomed into the Christian community called "Church" where he or she will grow in the love of God. This is an incredible gift, and for the parents of the child it brings with it a serious responsibility — a lifelong commitment on the part of parents to raise their child in the Catholic faith. Importantly, a decision to baptize a child should be one that comes out of the parents' own profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

New parents, and parents whose last child was baptized more than four years ago, are asked to attend a one-time Baptism Preparation Class. This "class" is an informal discussion to inform and educate parents about the significance of the sacrament of Baptism and to give encouragement about what they will be promising to do as Christian parents (and godparents).

The class is led by Fr. Brendan on the second Monday of every month at 7:00 PM in Room 104 (unless there is a holiday — please check the calendar). If you plan to attend an upcoming baptism class, please RSVP by contacting Sister Cecilia at 410-833-8515 or sr.cecilia@shgparish.org.

To help you and the presenter focus on the class, it is highly recommended that you find child care during the class time if possible.

• 3rd Saturday of each month at 12:00 noon in the Main Church (with no Mass). A group of up to 4 children is baptized at this time.

• 2nd Saturday of each month at 12:00 noon in Spanish.

• During any of the weekend Masses.

• There are no baptisms during the season of Lent.

• Baptism is a free gift from God, and there is no fee for baptism. (You are welcome to give an offering to the church in thanksgiving for this wonderful gift.)

Godparents act as representatives of the Church in welcoming the newly baptized — and more importantly, they act as models of Christian living. They make the baptismal promises and assist the parents in passing on the faith, and they assist the baptized in living out the faith. Choosing godparents is an important decision! We encourage you to prayerfully consider godparents who will be the best Christian role models for your child.

When choosing godparents, please consider that godparents should:

• Be sixteen years of age or older,

• Have received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist),

• Be practicing Catholics who are living a life in conformity with the Church's teaching, with an active interest in the faith of your child,

• If not a member of Sacred Heart Parish, contact their home parishes to have a "godparent form" sent to us on their behalf.

• Only one godparent is required. Two godparents may be selected, in which case there must be one male and one female.

• If desired, a baptized Christian of a non-Catholic community may be admitted as a "Christian Witness" to the baptism as long as there is one practicing Catholic for the role of godparent.