Baptism

Sunday after fourth Tuesday.  Contact the Parish Offices to make arrangements.

Baptism Preparation

General Introduction

Through the Sacraments of Christian Initiation, men and women are freed from the power of darkness.  With Christ they die, are buried, and rise again.  They receive the spirit of adoption which makes them God's sons and daughters and, with the entire people of God, they celebrate the memorial of the Lord's death and resurrection.¹
Through baptism, men and women are incorporated into Christ.  They are formed into God's people, and they obtain forgiveness of all their sins.  They are raised from their natural human condition to the dignity of adopted children.²   They become a new creation through water and the Holy Spirit.  Hence, they are called, and are indeed, the children of God.³

Baptism For Children

Children (or infants) are those who have not yet reached the age of discernment (c. age 7).  Therefore, they cannot have or profess personal faith.  It has been the practice of the Church, from earliest times, to baptize children.  Since they cannot have a personal faith, the faith is proclaimed for them by their parents and godparents.  Their parents, and godparents, represent both the local Church and the whole society of saints and believers.
To fulfill the true meaning of the sacrament, children must later be formed in the faith in which they have been baptized.  The foundation of this formation will be the sacrament, itself.  The formation is primarily the promise and responsibility of the parents and godparents.  It is assisted by the religious formation in the Catholic schools, or catechism program from Kindergarten until fourth year of high school.  Parents who bring their children to be baptized need to recognize that this is a commitment they make when they ask to have their child baptized.
The local parish has an important part to play in the baptism of children.  Before, and after, the celebration of the sacrament, the child has a right to the love and help of the community.  During the rite, the community exercises its duty when it expresses its assent, together with the celebrant, after the profession of faith by the parents and godparents.  In this way, it is clear that the faith in which the child is baptized is not the private possession of the individual family, but it is the common treasure of the whole Church of Christ.
The parents should prepare themselves for the celebration of their child's baptism by attending one (1) class, and common prayer before each child is baptized.  They should notify the parish, of their wish to have their child baptized, at least one (1) month before the baptism.
To have a child baptized, at least one (1) parent must be a practicing Catholic.  This means that the parent(s) are attending Mass, at Saint Ann, every Sunday.  They must also be registered and using their gifts to serve Saint Ann parish.  Their marriage should also be a valid one, in the Catholic Church.
To be a godparent, the person must be a practicing Catholic.  This means attending a Catholic church, every Sunday, registered, and using their gifts to serve a Catholic parish.  Only one godparent is necessary.  Each child may have a godfather, and a godmother, if the parents so desire.  The godparent must be sixteen (16) years old, and confirmed.  If the godparent is not from Saint Ann parish, they must have a letter from their pastor stating that they are a practicing member, having been confirmed.  Forms are available, at the parish office.
Baptisms, at a Sunday Mass, will be offered six (6) times per year.   ( Preferably:  two (2) at the 5:00 p.m, two (2) at the 8:00 a.m., and two (2) at the 10:30 a.m.).  Baptisms will also be offered after the 10:30 a.m. Mass, six (6) times per year.
A permanent record of the baptism will be recorded, in the Baptismal book, and a copy of this record will be available for the parents if they request it.