The sacrament of Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit 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.”

The Greek word baptizein means to plunge or to immerse, and whether we are literally immersed in water or the water is poured upon us, the water symbolizes the burial with Christ of the catechumen.

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 5:3-4). Baptism is a time of great joy and celebration for parents, family members and the parish family of St. James. It is the first sacrament of initiation, the beginning of a lifelong journey in knowing, loving and serving Jesus. Our journey always begins with an invitation, a call from God through the Christian community to live the gospel as committed disciples of Christ. We accept the invitation, that call and response are ritualized and made visual and “real” for us in celebration of Baptism. It is the Church’s way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God who first loved us from the moment of conception. Baptism is the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit and our acceptance of that transforming love. A godparent serves a special role for one to be baptized and should be chosen carefully and with concern for the spiritual life of the one being baptized. They are significant supporters and the ones who can first begin to reveal to their godchild the value of the Christian community. Only one godparent is necessary, although both a godfather and godmother are preferred. According to Church law it is not permitted to have either two males or two females as godparents. Church law insists that the godparent be at least 16 years old, fully initiated in the Catholic Church (having received Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation). They must be a member in good standing of the Catholic Church, lead a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken, and be someone other than the legal parents. Sponsors certificates are required from the Church of the godparents(if they are not members of St. James) before they can accept the privilege of being a godparent. The certificate must mailed or brought to the rectory before the date of Baptism.

Baptism Procedures

• Family must be registered members of St. James Parish.
• Baptisms are held every third Sunday of the month at 2:30p.m. and are limited to six children per month.
• Parents must register with Patty D’Andrea at the Parish Center for the baptism and a mandatory Pre- Baptism class.
• Baptismal sponsor certificates must be turned into Patty prior to the Pre-Baptism class.

Requirements for Baptismal Sponsors (Godparents)

Only practicing Catholics may act as a baptismal sponsor.

A believing Christian may act as a Christian witness together with one Catholic godparent. A Catholic baptismal sponsor must obtain a sponsor certificate from the Catholic church where he/she is a REGISTERED parishioner.

To act as a sponsor a person must:

• be at least 16 years of age;
• lead a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken;
• have received all three sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation) and
• be canonically free (if married, marriage blessed by the Catholic Church).

Baptismal sponsor certificates must be turned in prior to the Pre-Baptism Class to Patty D’Andrea, Baptism Coordinator

For Baptism Registration Form PDF click HERE

For Baptism Registration document Form click HERE