BAPTISMAL PREPARATION

On Behalf of the entire parish community of Notre Dame we congratulate you on the birth of your baby. In Baptism, we are baptized into the Church, a community of believers. Baptism is an opportunity for you as parents to commit yourself to God. You are starting a new venture in life and we want to assist you. Please think about how you are going to pass on the faith and the Church’s Tradition to your children. Passing the Catholic Faith on to the next generation is one of the most important things you will ever do. We are here to help you in your commitment as Catholic.

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." [Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1213]

When you baptize your child, several things happen:

- Your child becomes a Church member and receives the Divine Life of Grace.

- He or she is freed from Sin, including Original Sin.

- Your child becomes a child of God, receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit

and becomes Christ’s Brother or Sister.

- Your child receives Wisdom and Strength and the Gates of Heaven are open to

him or her.

They are the primary teachers of the faith

They must make sure their child is taught the faith

Must make sure the child attends mass and receives all the sacraments (Eucharist, Reconciliation, And Confirmation.)

Parents must be active members of a parish.

Parents must be married in the church. If not, then you need to meet with a priest or deacon before the baptism date can be set.

Parents must promise to teach their child the faith.

Babies should be baptized without delay.

Godparent’s role is not just symbolic or ceremonial.

Godparents support, help, reinforce, guide and assist the parents in their responsibilities of teaching the Child the Faith.

Only one God Parent is required but it is customary to have two, one male and one female.

One Godparent must be a Practicing Catholic, living his or her life in conformity with the Faith. Catholic Godparents should have received their Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation, and they should be married in the Church (if they are Married).

If one Godparent is a practicing Catholic, the other Godparent may be a Protestant.

The Father or Mother cannot be a Godparent.

A person must be at least 16 years old to be a Godparent.

Any Infant or Child under the age of seven years old.

Any child seven years old or older needs to enter into the Children’s RCIA Program. Call (303) 922-9875 for more information.

If you are a couple who has not been married in the Church, or if one of the parents has been divorced and remarried, you will need to call and arrange for an appointment with a priest or deacon at the Rectory at (303) 935-3900. It is necessary before the baptism that you meet with a member of the clergy to have your marriage "validated" by the Church. If you are in need of an annulment, this process must begin before the baptism can take place.

This is crucial for you as a couple since you are to be the first teachers and the best of teachers of your child in the practice of the faith. Therefore, it is imperative that you are able to fully participate in the life of the Church yourself. The clergy of this parish will work with you with compassion and sensitivity to assist you in the process.