Baptism, the first and fundamental sacrament is the gate to the other sacraments. Baptism is the purifying and sanctifying sacrament of rebirth and the means by which its recipients are incorporated into the Church in a bond of unity. Baptism is the first sacrament of Christian initiation. It is the sacrament that frees a person from original sin and makes that person a member of Christ and His Church, thus being the way to a new and spiritual life. It is administered by immersing the recipient in water or by pouring water on the person’s head “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. One must be baptized before sharing in any of the other sacraments. Baptism is the foundation for all ministry and life in the church and confers a commitment to follow Christ and spread his message throughout the world. Furthermore, in baptism, one is incorporated into the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and thus participates in the gift of resurrection and eternal life with Christ. Infants can be baptized soon after birth. At the time of baptism, parents vow to practice their faith and provide a Catholic upbringing for the child. Adults who have never been baptized take part in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), and will typically be baptized at the Easter Vigil. The Catholic Church recognizes baptisms from other Christian denominations that baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Thus, a person can only be baptized once.
Baptism at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish
...according to Acts 2:38, baptisms follow from Peter's preaching baptism in the name of Jesus and lead those baptized to the receiving of Christ's Spirit, the Holy Ghost, and life in the community: "They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" as well as to the distribution of goods to those in need. Those who heard, who were baptized and entered the community's life, were already made witnesses of and partakers in the promises of God for the last days: the forgiveness of sins through baptism in the name of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on all flesh. [124] Similarly, in what may well be a baptismal pattern, 1 Peter testifies that proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and teaching about new life lead to purification and new birth. This, in turn, is followed by eating and drinking God's food, participation in the life of the community—the royal priesthood, the new temple, the people of God—and further moral formation. At the beginning of 1 Peter the writer sets this baptism in the context of obedience to Christ and sanctification by the Spirit. So baptism into Christ is seen as baptism into the Spirit. In the fourth gospel, Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus indicates that birth by water and Spirit becomes the gracious means of entry into the place where God rules.
Entrance to the Roman Catholic Church begins with Baptism. Requirements include baptismal catechesis for the parents, and if possible, the Godparents. This is usually offered a week or two before the baptismal date. This is only required if this is the parents’ first child. It is not necessary that there be two Godparents, but if two are chosen, each must be confirmed, practicing Catholics, chosen for their ability to be a partner with the parents in raising the child in the faith of our Church. However, if one of the chosen “godparents” is not confirmed, then he or she would be designated a “Christian witness,” rather than a Godparent.
Baptisms occur in the parish setting. In the case that a parent requests baptism outside of his/her parish, a letter of permission to do so must be obtained from the Pastor of their parish addressed to the Pastor of the parish where the baptism will take place.
Baptisms at Our Lady, Queen of Peace occur monthly on Saturdays at 2:00 pm in Sacred Heart Church. Usually, no more than 4 children are baptized at any one time. In the case of extenuating circumstances, such as illness or travel requirements for family members, other times would be made available for the baptism.
In preparation for your child’s Baptism, please complete the form below. Once this form is submitted, you will be contacted to schedule a date for your child’s Baptism.