Baptism
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Parents and childrenCongratulations! God has blessed you with a child! And now you are presenting that child for baptism in the Catholic church. All of us who share faith with you rejoice. You have accepted a new life for your home, a child who will grace our world. Now through the mystery of baptism, that child will be born again.
Baptism, which is necessary for salvation, is a sign and the means of God's prevenient love. Baptism frees us from original sin and communicates to us a share in divine live.
In order to fulfill the true meaning of the Sacrament, there must be a well-founded hope and assurance that your child will be brought up Catholic by an authentic education in the faith and Christian life. If that hope is absent, then Baptism will be postponed so that the parents can receive formation in the faith, an opportunity to grow in thier commitment to Christ and His Church. That growth expresses itself in regular Mass attendance and involvement in the life of the parish community. (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Instruction on Infant Baptism, n. 28)
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19
Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments, and the "door" which gives access to the other sacraments. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the "sacraments of initiation" by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit and is incorporated into the Church, the body of Christ. The rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water, or pouring water on the head while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 867) -
Baptism of Children (over age 6)
Since children who have reached the use of reason are considered, for purposes of Christian initiation, to be adults (canon 852:1), their formation should follow the general pattern of the ordinary catechumenate (RCIA) as far as possible, with the appropriate adaptations permitted by the ritual. They should receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil, together with the older catechumens (non-baptized). Natural Statutes for the Catechumenate - paragraph 18
Our Lady of Angels offers formation for children over the age of six side by side with their regular program of Religious education.
Contact: Ruby Steponaitis
Phone: 469-467-9669
Email: rsteponaitis@ourladyofangels.com -
Adult Baptism
In the sacraments of Christian initiation we are freed from the power of darkness and joined to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We receive the Spirit of filial adoption and are part of the entire people of God in the celebration of the memorial of the Lord’s death and resurrection.
Baptism incorporates us into Christ and forms us into God’s people. This first sacrament pardons all our sins, rescues us from the power of darkness, and brings us to the dignity of adopted children, a new creation through water and the Holy Spirit. Hence we are called and are indeed the Children of God. (Ad Gentes paragraph 14)
Contact: Jennifer Hardee
Phone: 469-467-9669
Email: jhardee@ourladyofangels.com
Contact: Deacon Coy Pierce
Email: cpierce@ourladyofangels.com
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Infant Baptism (up to age 6)
We welcome your family on the joyous occasion of the celebration of this child! We look forward to the opportunity to assist you and your family in preparation for this sacramental event.
Checklist for parents and godparents:- Baptism Registration Form: Please complete the form. (Baptism Registration Form) Filling out the form, allows you the chance to upload the child's Birth Certificate or Hospital Vital Records.
- Attend a parish Baptism Preparation Class. If the class is taken at OLA, we will have a record of your attendance. If you choose to take a class at another parish, please submit proof of that class to the OLA Parish Office.
- Talk to the godparents about their responsibilities and invite them to attend a Baptism Preparation Class. Godparent requirements can be view at Code of Canon Law - Book IV - Function of the Church (Cann. 834-878) (vatican.va)
- Give the godparents the Godparent Information Form. Can be downloaded from the Registration Form. If the godparents are members of another parish, they will need to have the Godparent Form signed and sealed by their parish and returned to the OLA Parish Office. If they are members of OLA, their information can be looked up on the parish database.
Baptism Requirements
Infants and children up to the age of reason (typically age six) may be baptized at the parent's request. Parents and godparents are required by the Diocese of Dallas to attend a Baptism Preparation Class prior to the baptism. Godparents who live in another parish may attend a Baptism Preparation Class in their home parish or at Our Lady of Angels. If you have attended a class elsewhere in the past 2-3 years you can request a letter from that church be sent to Our Lady of Angels verifying that you have attended the class.
Links & Documents:- Baptism Registration Form (online registration)
- Baptism Preparation Class (online registration)
- Code of Canon Law - Book IV - Function of the Church (Cann. 834-878) (vatican.va) (download document)
- Godparent Information Form (download form)
For more information, classes, and dates.
Contact: Paula Chisolm, Baptism Coordinator
Phone: 469-467-9669
Email: pchisolm@ourladyofangels.com -
Other information
Naming your child:
The Catholic tradition is to name a child after a Saint. Care should be taken that the candidate for Baptism receives a name having a Christian significance.
Garments:
The proper color of clothing for Baptism is WHITE, a symbol of being clothed in Christ. The candidate for Baptism can wear white or ordinary clothing and at the appropriate time following the Baptism at the font, your child will be given a white baptismal bib that signifies the newness of the life the child now shares with Christ.
Candle:
The candle presented at Baptism can become a beautiful remembrance for the person to carry through life. It can be an occasion for parents to tell a child about his/her baptism and can be lit at home during the celebration of special events. First Communion, or at Easter time. Our Lady of Angels provides a white candle for your child's baptism.
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