Baptism is the first sacrament, initiating believers into life with Christ. Through Baptism, a person is freed from all sins, reborn as a child of God, and becomes a member of Christ’s Body, the Church. When we are Baptized into Christ, we are Baptized into His death, and therefore into His burial and resurrection as well. It frees believers from sin and fills them with the saving grace of Jesus Christ. This grace enlightens the whole person, allowing us to live as disciples of Jesus.
“There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all.” Ephesians 4:5-6
Congratulations! Baptism initiates and welcomes your infant (up to age 7) into membership in the Church. We welcome you and your family and look forward to celebrating this special and important event! Baptisms are celebrated at Sunday Masses and are offered in English & Spanish.
To register your infant (up to age 7) for Baptism, schedule a Sacramental Intake Online Meeting. We recommend you schedule an intake at least six weeks out from the Baptism date.
As a parent, preparing for your child's Baptism can be both exciting and overwhelming. With Claim, you can feel confident that you have all the resources you need to make this important milestone a meaningful and memorable experience for your family. Here are some additional details about what you can expect from the Claim at-home experience:
Becoming a Catholic/Seeking full communion (adults seeking the sacraments of Initiation):
An unbaptized adult may wish to explore becoming a Catholic. Every fall, a group of adults gathers to begin that process in our parish churches. They meet regularly with lay leaders and clergy to prepare. The group (known as the Catechumenate) moves in stages or steps toward Lent and the Easter Vigil when Baptism is celebrated.
An adult who was baptized in a Christian church may wish to come into full communion with the Church. A group similar to the Catechumenate receives instruction, guidance, and support. Reception into the church usually also takes place at the Easter Vigil. These individuals make a profession of faith but are not baptized again.
To prepare for this reception, the people, who are called “candidates,” usually participate in a program to help them understand and experience the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Some preparation may be with catechumens preparing for baptism, but the preparation for candidates is different since they have already been baptized and committed to Jesus Christ, and many have also been active members of other Christian communities.