Baptism

"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17)
 

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Just as God proclaimed his love for Jesus at His Baptism, God calls each of us "beloved" when our souls are made holy in the waters of Baptism. We are no longer spiritual orphans separated from God by original sin. We become adopted sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven who loves and cherishes us beyond our knowing.

For Catholics, Baptism often comes at the beginning of life (as with a newborn baby) but sometimes it comes later in life.

• If you have a little one you would like to have baptized (newborn through age 6), please continue reading about our baptism process below.
   
• If you have an older child (age 7+) who needs baptism, please click the link to our "Missed a Sacrament" page below.
  ►Missed a Sacrament
   
• If you are an adult seeking to become Catholic, please click the link to our "Becoming Catholic" page below.
  ▶︎Becoming Catholic

Congratulations on your new little one! We rejoice with you as you welcome this gift from God into your family and prepare him or her for initiation into our Catholic Faith. Whether your child is newly born or a little older (through age 6), this is just the beginning of a grace-filled faith adventure, and we are happy that you've chosen us to share in your family's Christian journey.

Before you call to schedule a baptism, please review the list of requirements below. Please note that securing a baptism date is contingent on fulfilling these requirements. 

Baptism Family Requirements
While baptisms can be a wonderful family tradition and even seem like a "right of passage" event, it is so much more than that. Baptism is the beginning of a life-long relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. It is a sacred adoption that bestows on us indelible dignity as God's beloved sons and daughters. It is also, for us, a formal entrance into the Catholic Faith—a first step toward initiation into the Body of Christ, which is the Church. As your parish family, we want to get to know you and accompany you through all stages of life: joy and sorrow, gain and loss, celebration and suffering. Know that we're here for you and look forward to helping you and your children form a deep and blessed friendship with the Lord.

In order to schedule a baptism at St. Joseph Church, we ask the following:
 

1. Be an active, official member of our parish family for at least 3 months. Fr. Jim has recommended that families demonstrate active participation in our parish community for at least 3 months before receiving a sacrament. Being "active" means that you are regularly attending Mass with us on the weekends. Since our parish is so big, you can help us know you're "here" by signing in before or after Mass using our Baptism Family Sign-in Form. You'll find this form at our Welcome Desk which is located in the gathering space. If you have not yet become official members of our parish, the folks at the Welcome Desk will be happy to register you. If you have any questions regarding this step, please let me know. We look forward to worshiping with you!
   
   NOTE: If you presently live out of the area but have family here and would like your child to be baptized at St. Joseph, we will need a letter of delegation from the parish where you currently attend. We will need this letter before you schedule a date with us.
    
2. Attend a Baptism class for parents and godparents. In order to prepare your family for participation in this sacrament, we ask that both parents and at least one of your godparents (though both are welcome!) attend our baptism class. This class is required and must be completed prior to the baptism date. (If you have had a child baptized here within the past two years, you are exempt from this class.)
    
3. Make a careful and prayerful selection of godparents. Choose persons who will be a special, supportive presence in your child’s life and who can help to nurture your child’s faith and spiritual growth. At least one godparent must be a practicing Catholic, 16 years of age or older, who has received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. The second godparent, if not another Catholic, must be a baptized and believing Christian.
   
   NOTE: We will ask that at least one of your Catholic godparents request a "letter of good standing" from his or her parish stating that he or she is able to serve as a Catholic godparent. The letter can be emailed, mailed or faxed to Suzie's attention, but it needs to be on the church's official letterhead, and it must be turned in before the baptism date.

When you are ready to schedule a baptism for your child, contact me to begin the process. We look forward to sharing in your little one's faith journey!

Suzie Fazzini
Director of Family Ministries
248-693-0440 ext. 226
sfazz22@stjoelo.org