The famous king and saint, Louis IX of France, knew that his life began when he was baptized. The saintly king used to sign is documents “Louis of Poissy,” not, “Louis IX, King.” His reason was that Poissy was the place of his baptism. He held it in higher regard than Rheims Cathedral, the site of his coronation. “It is...greater...to be a child of God than to be the ruler of a kingdom: this last I shall lose at death, but the other will be my passport to an everlasting destiny.” The sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are the sacraments of initiation which lay the foundation of every Christian life. Baptism--the gateway to the life in the Spirit--gives us new life; Confirmation strengthens us to live Christ-like lives, and the Eucharist is the food of eternal life. In short, these sacraments incorporate us into the Christian community and enable us to share in Jesus’ work. The sacrament of Baptism derives its name from a Greek word that means to “plunge” or to “immerse” into water. Thus, its name highlights the new Christian’s burial into Christ’s death and resurrection into a new Christian life of grace. Church tradition has also called Baptism “the washing: or “regeneration” or “bath of enlightenment.” These descriptions suggest a rebirth of the spirit and point to the necessity of receiving catechetical instruction about the mysteries of God’s love to either before or after receiving the sacrament. Baptism also makes us children of light and empowers us to bring the light of Christ into the world. In brief, Baptism is God’s unearned gift to us that confers the grace and life of Christ.
Are you expecting a baby or have a newborn in your life? Then you need to sign up for the Baptism class given once a month. To attend you must sign up by calling the Parish Office at 916-452-4136 ext. 2. At the class, the necessity and importance of Baptism are explained as are the obligations and duties of parents and godparents. Parents and godparents must attend this preparation class in order to schedule the child’s Baptism.
The sacrament of Baptism is one of three sacraments of initiation in the Catholic Church—the others are Confirmation and Eucharist. Although every sacrament offers us the opportunity to encounter God in a profound way, Baptism holds a special place in the Church, for Baptism is the door that leads to every other sacrament. In Baptism, your child will be claimed for Christ and will become a member of the Body of Christ, the Church. At Baptism, we are reborn and become new creations, clothed with a Christian dignity and called to witness, in word and example, to the Gospel of Life.
For a baptism to be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, you must be either a territorial parishioner or an affiliated parishioner. Special circumstances, i.e. long family history in the parish, are considered on a case-by-case basis. Otherwise, families are directed to the parish in which they reside.
Territorial parishioners…those persons who live within the boundaries of Sacred Heart Parish:
The Church recommends an infant be baptized soon after birth. Older children who have reached the age of reason (around age 7) need to be instructed in the basics of the Faith through religious education classes before being baptized.
When parents present their children for baptism, they profess their commitment to the Catholic faith. They pledge to model that faith by their words and actions and to raise their children in the practice of the Catholic faith.
To be a godparent one must be a practicing Catholic who is at least 16 years old, has received the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, and, if married, is married in the Catholic Church. A godparent is called to be actively involved in the life of the newly-baptized, assisting the parents in their duties in practicing and living a life consistent with Catholic teachings. One godparent is required.
A non-Catholic Christian may not serve as a godparent, since they cannot be expected to represent the Catholic Church in the practice of the Catholic faith. However, a baptized non-Catholic Christian may serve as a Christian Witness.
A class for parents and godparents is offered in the evening on the second Thursday of every month. Attendance by the parents and godparents is required. If the godparents are unable to attend the class at Sacred Heart, they must attend the class offered by another parish, and submit a letter indicating that they attended the class as well as the attached form.
To attend you must sign-up by calling the Parish Office at 916-452-4136 ext. 2.
Baptisms take place on the first and third Sundays of the month immediately following the 11:00 am Mass at approximately 12:15 pm.
For more information, please contact the Parish Office at 916-452-4136 ext. 2 or by email at shchurchoffice@gmail.com.