Baptism

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and in 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 in to the Church and made sharers in her mission. “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.” (CCC 1213)

BAPTISM OF Infants AND YOUNG CHILDREN

The Baptism Preparation Class is a program for parents designed to familiarize them with the history of baptism and to share some light theological reflections. They will also learn about the liturgy so they are comfortable when the baptism takes place. Parents need to participate in the program only once, not for every child they have baptized. Both parents are required to attend. After completing the preparation session, parents may schedule their child’s baptism.

 

Contact the parish office to schedule a class.  859-623-2989, stmarkrichmond@cdlex.org

 

Anyone having a child baptized needs to be an active parishioner for three months prior to scheduling the baptism of their child.

 

Scheduling the Baptism

Once you have completed an application for Baptism and your parent preparation classes are completed (if required), we will schedule a Baptism. All Masses are available for Baptisms. 

 

Baptism by Another Priest or Deacon

Depending on availability, either our Priest or Deacon will perform the Sacrament of Baptism. If you have a Deacon or Priest that you would like to invite to St Mark to perform the  Baptism, please let Fr Tom know so that we can have the their Diocese and our Diocese complete the proper paperwork to allow that to happen. 

 

Baptisms at Another Church

Be sure to contact the other parish for these requirements. You can attend the preparation class at St. Mark; let us know where to send a letter stating that you have participated in the preparation process. Please notify the parish office about the child’s name, gender, date of birth, and baptism date so that we can add it to your family’s information at St. Mark parish.

 

Godparents for Baptism

  • At least one godparent must be a practicing, confirmed Catholic age 16 or older. Godparents are required to obtain a letter from their parish stating they are registered members of that parish.
  • Non-Catholic Christians, while not technically godparents, can be Christian witnesses for your child. Non-Christians cannot be sponsors for baptism, since they themselves are not baptized. However, you can invite a non-Christian to have a special place in your child’s life and share with your child his or her own faith tradition.
  • Having to godparents of the same sax is not technically possible. One can be the “official’ godparent for the sake of the record book, and one can be the “honorary” one. You don’t have to tell either which is which.
  • Having more than two godparents is also not technically possible. However, again, one can be “honorary” godparent, and you needn’t tell who is and who isn’t. Just tell us so that we can record the information in the parish records. 

 

Baptism of School-Aged Children – RCIC

 

Our Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) is a specific program designed to prepare older children (grades 3-8) for the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Reconciliation. We have been blessed with parishioners who have either returned to the Catholic Church after an absence or come from a part of the country in which the sacraments of initiation are celebrated at different ages than our custom. We welcome these new members of our faith community and endeavor to help these children receive any of the sacraments which they may have missed.

 

Classes are offered through our RCIA program on Sunday mornings immediately following the 8:30 a.m. mass beginning in late August and concluding in the spring.  Registration is required.

 

Baptism of Adults – RCIA

 

The process of welcoming adults into the Church is known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).  The program was created for people who want to explore the teachings of the Catholic Church. It is an open discussion format covering a wide variety of topics including Church history, the Sacraments, the teachings of Jesus, Sacred Scripture and a number of other relevant topics. Those who are not of the Catholic faith will learn about a variety of topics that can guide them in their decision to become full members of the Church. Those who elect to join the Church do so at the Easter Vigil (the Saturday night before Easter) and receive the sacraments of initiation.

 

The RCIA process provides an opportunity for adults* who are seeking initiation (unbaptized) or full Communion (Baptized Christian) with the Church to learn about the Catholic faith. Classes are held Sunday mornings immediately following the 8:30 a.m. mass beginning in late August and concluding in the spring.

 

Volunteers are needed to be sponsors (faith companions) to people becoming Catholic and to lead discussions during the 6 Sundays in Lent when RCIA inquirers are dismissed from Mass after the homily.  Additionally, ministers are needed to be a part of a hospitality team to make coffee, provide food for the sessions and make all feel welcome.

 

For more information on RCIC and RCIA, contact Tricia Davis, 859-248-2495.