Baptism at St. Charles

Baptism is the foundational sacrament of Christian initiation, signifying a person’s entry into the life of faith and the Church. It is a sacred rite that cleanses individuals from original sin, incorporates them into the Body of Christ, and bestows the grace of the Holy Spirit. Through the act of immersion in water, or the pouring of water, the baptized person is symbolically buried with Christ and rises as a new creation, becoming a child of God and a member of the Church. This sacrament is essential for salvation, as it opens the door to the other sacraments and the fullness of Christian life, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith and discipleship. Baptism is celebrated in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and is a profound expression of God's love and grace towards humanity.

 

Parish Membership

Sacraments are celebrated at the home parish, where a family is registered and regularly attends Mass. If you are registered at a parish other than St. Charles, you are still welcome to have your child baptized here, however it is necessary to have permission from the parish you are registered in.

If you are not currently a registered parishioner at St. Charles but would like to be, you can register by completing this form: SCB Parish Registration Form. Please return or .

 

Godparents and Christian Witnesses

To be permitted to take on the function of Sponsor/Godparent a person must:

• Be designated by the parents
• Be at least 16 years old
• Be a fully-initiated Catholic (received Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation)
• Lead a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken
• Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared
• Not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized

One Godparent is required. If there are two, one must be male and one female.

A validly baptized non-Catholic may stand as a Christian Witness so long as there is one valid Catholic Godparent.

Godparents and Christian Witnesses are required to fill out the Godparent Form below.

 

Selecting a Date

Baptisms are scheduled during or after the 4:00 p.m. Saturday Mass or the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. Please inquire for available dates. A date will be scheduled once we have the Baptism request form and the Godparent form completed.

Note: If you would like to have the Baptism celebrated during Mass, please arrive at least 30 minutes early. The Rite of Baptism will begin in the family room before the start of Mass.

 

Baptism Preparation Class

The parents and Godparents of the child are asked to attend a class to review the rite of Baptism, understand their responsibilities, and discuss the life of grace in the Catholic Church. The Captism coordinator will work with you to schedule this class.

To spiritually prepare for the Baptism, please watch Reborn, a video series about the Sacrament of Baptism filmed by the Augustine Institute. To access Reborn, please follow these few steps:

• Go to https://signup.formed.org/ to subscribe for free
• Enter our parish zip code (14616)
• Enter your name and email address.

Once in FORMED.ORG, click the PROGRAMS tab and then click SACRAMENTS. You will see Reborn. You can also type “Reborn” in the search bar. You are most welcome to watch the entire series, but at the very least watch the first three episodes as part of your preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism.

What are the requirements for Baptism at St. Charles?

Requirements of children:

• Be younger than seven (if they are older, see the FAQ “What if my child is no longer an infant?”)

Requirements of parents:

• At least one of the parents should be a practicing Catholic willing to commit to the task of rearing their child in the faith of the Church. Parents should accept that they are the first and foremost teachers of the faith.
• Be registered members of St. Charles (or receive permission from their pastor)
• Select at least one Catholic Godparent
• Submit the Baptism Request Form
• Complete the Baptism prep class (and watch Reborn on Formed)

 

How old should my infant child be to be baptized?

Under ordinary circumstances, parents should see to the Baptism of their infants within the first few weeks. Canon Law states that it should be “within the first weeks after birth.” This may be interpreted to allow for special family considerations, for example, allowing the parents and other family members time to adjust to the new arrival and scheduling the participation of extended family and friends who may have to travel some distance. On the other hand, the Baptism should not be unduly delayed.

 

What if my child is no longer an infant?

A child who has not yet celebrated their seventh birthday is considered an “infant” in regards to baptism within the Catholic Church. As long as your child is less than seven years of age, the process and requirements are the same. Depending on the understanding and maturity of your child, this might be a wonderful opportunity for them to share in the preparation for the sacrament.

If your child is seven or older, we will work with you to find the best pathway that leads your child to the sacrament of Baptism – and the other sacraments – and will depend on the age of the child. In this case, please contact Anna Flaitz ().

 

Do I need to be registered at St. Charles to have a Baptism here?

Sacraments are celebrated at the home parish, where a family is registered and regularly attends Mass. Sacraments are celebrations of the Catholic community, so you should celebrate with your home parish. If you are registered at a parish other than St. Charles, you are still welcome to have your child baptized here, however it is necessary to have permission from the parish you are registered in.

If you are not currently a registered parishioner at St. Charles but would like to be, you can register here: Join Us | St. Charles Greece.

 

Do both Godparents have to be Catholic?

Yes, a Godparent, by definition, is necessarily Catholic. A Baptized Christian from another Christian denomination may serve as “Christian Witness.” Jews, Muslims, and believers from other world religions may not serve either as godparents or Christian witnesses under normal circumstances but are always welcome to participate in the celebration.

 

How early should I arrive at the church?

If the baptism will be celebrated during the Liturgy, please arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of Mass. If the Baptism is scheduled for after, we recommend arriving 15 minutes before Mass begins so that you can settle in, pray in the silence, and prepare your hearts to receive our Lord.

 

Where should we sit in the Church for Mass and the Baptism?

Multiple pews near the baptismal font will have blue reserved signs. These are for all the family and friends joining. If you are expecting more than 20 people, please let us know and we can reserve more pews.

 

What is the attire for Baptism?

A person being baptized traditionally wears white. Through Baptism our sins are washed away, and we become ‘clean’ because of Jesus Christ. “The white garment symbolises that the person baptised has 'put on Christ', has risen with Christ.”  Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1243). If it is not practical to wear white, then a stole or ‘bib’ can be used to represent white clothing. For more on this, check out this Aleteia article: Dressing baby for Baptism.

Friends and family are encouraged to dress in a way that is appropriate for Mass. For a more detailed guide, see What To Wear To A Catholic Baptism As A Guest?

 

Are there costs associated with the Baptismal preparation or the ceremony?

There is no cost for the Baptism preparation or ceremony. Donations are gratefully accepted.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

          Anna Flaitz                                                    Amanuel Malik

                                   

 585-663-8000 (press 2)                              585-663-8000 (press 1)