Baptism at St John's

Welcome! We welcome your family on this joyous occasion of the celebration of your child’s/godchild’s baptism! We look forward to assisting your family in preparing for the baptism of your child. The baptism preparation session at St. John’s is designed to provide the formation and information needed to fully understand the Sacrament of Baptism and your role as a Catholic parent/godparent.
   This information is designed to provide you with some basic information about the preparation process and requirements. It will outline the parish’s approach to infant baptism.  The first consideration is also the most important: making the decision to baptize your child and what this decision means to you.
   May the Lord continue to bless your lives with love and the assurance that this child will be held dearly in the palm of God’s hand!
 
What are the requirements for parents? 

• At least one parent must be a practicing Catholic, who is committed to raising the child in the Catholic faith. A parent that is not Catholic has to express a willingness to help and create a home where a child will receive an environment to grow in faith as taught by the Catholic Church.
• The family asking for their child to be baptized at St. John’s has to be a registered member of our faith community. If you are not registered, you may register at the rectory office 307-684-7268 before the process begins, or visit us at the Rectory at St. John's at 532 N Lobban.

We invite you to contact us even before your child is born and to plan in advance.
 
What are the requirements for godparents (sponsors)? Godparents are members of the Christian community who, by their lives and their faith, set a good example for the child whose initiation into this community they are sponsoring. Godparents may also support the parents in the upbringing of the child as a Catholic Christian.  Ideally they should live in the same parish.

• As we indicated, the godparent promises to support and assist the parents in raising the child in the Catholic faith and be a mentor to the child in the Catholic faith.
• Usually a child has two godparents, but only one is necessary.
• Godparents must be at least 16 years of age, practicing Catholics, and have celebrated the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.
• It is possible for a non-Catholic person to be a witness as long as one godparent is Catholic.
• Finding a godparent in some circumstances may be difficult. In such situation, we ask that parents speak to the pastor.
• If Godparent(s) cannot be present for your child’s baptism, you may choose others to stand in as proxies for the Baptism ceremony. Only the names of the chosen (actual) godparents will appear on the Baptism certificate.

When and where is the Baptism celebrated?   Baptism may be celebrated privately at a day and time convenient for the family or at a weekend Mass with the parish community.
 
Above all we wish you to remember that Baptism is not an isolated event; it is an expression of your faith and a commitment on your part to raise your child in the Catholic faith.  The focus is as much on you as it is on the child.  Through the communal celebration of infant baptism, St. John’s expresses its joy in welcoming a new member as well as its commitment to provide support and community of faith for you and your child as you undertake the mission of living as a Christian family.
 
Baptism by the Pouring of Water or the Immersion   What about Baptism by immersion? Water is a primary symbol of Baptism. Baptism by immersion is the fuller use of this symbol.  The Rite of Infant Baptism has a clear preference for immersion, thus letting the symbol speak clearly and powerfully.
 
The very word baptism means immersion. Baptism was celebrated in that manner in the early Church and Jesus himself was immersed in the waters of Jordan. Baptism by pouring of the water on the forehead of the child is another option, which has been in use in the Catholic Church for many centuries as well.
  
THE FIRST STEP TO TAKE… 
 For parents, you need to first call the rectory and set up a meeting with Fr. Pete.