I wish to get my child baptized at Sacred Heart Church, what are the rules?
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:
Our Northern boundary: American River where the extension of 33rd Street would cross the River (includes McKinley Village)
Our Southern boundary: R Street at the light rail tracks (just before reaching Highway 50)
Our Eastern boundary: 51st Street (crossing over Elvas Avenue and the railroad tracks following down Carrington Street in River Park)
Our Western boundary: 33rd Street (eastern edge of McKinley Park)
Affiliated parishioners…those persons who have chosen to be part of our faith community and who have actively taken part in the life of this faith community for six months prior to scheduling the Baptism. (Active participation is demonstrated by regular attendance at Sunday Mass and through regular contributions to the Parish through the use of envelopes or personal checks.)
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. Prospective godparents must complete and return to the parish the attached form.
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 non-Catholic Christian may serve as a Christian Witness.
A class for parents and godparents is offered in the evening on the second Monday of every month. Attendance by the parents and godparentsis 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.