Baptism
Welcoming your child into the family of God, and into our parish family. Baptisms usually take place on the 2nd Sunday of the month.
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."
These words of Jesus in the last two verses of Matthew's Gospel tell us of the importance of baptism. From the early days of the Church we have understood that children should not be deprived of the grace of the Sacrament of Baptism, the first of the "sacraments of Christian initiation."
Through baptism one is freed from original sin, reborn as a child of God, and is incorporated into the community of the Church.
Welcomed into the Church through baptism it is then the responsibility of parents to nurture their life of faith, raising them in the faith, and assuring that they become integral members of the Church, the Body of Christ. Baptism, then, is not some kind of "magic" and not an end in itself, but rather the first step of their faith journey.
Baptizing your child
Infants and children up to about 7 years of age may be baptized at the request of their parents. Start by calling the Parish Office.
No fee. There is no fee or charge for baptism, but it is expected that parents are active, contributing members of time, talent and treasure as participating members of the parish.
Not during Lent. Baptisms usually take place on the 2nd Sunday of the month, and are not celebrated during Lent.
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Be registered parishionersParents are expected to be registered and active parishioners of St. Francis Solanus Parish. If for some reason they are from outside this parish, they need to present a letter of permission from the pastor of the parish to which they belong.
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Attend pre-baptism instructionParents need to attend pre-baptism instruction before bringing their first child for baptism. Please call the Parish Office to register for a coming pre-baptism session.
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Choose godparentsA godfather and a godmother, or at least one of these to be a sponsor. At least one needs to be a baptized Catholic who is actively practicing the Faith, because their role is to help the parents raise the child in the Catholic Faith.
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Celebrate the baptismUsually on the 2nd Sunday of the month.
The first step of the journey
We recognize that parents are the primary teachers of the faith to their children. However, the parish stands by parents in their responsibilities as Christian parents.
And so we offer a Catholic school, a Parish School of Religion (PSR), and other lifelong religious education programs.
If there is not a reasonable assurance that a child will be nurtured in the Catholic faith, it would be better for baptism to be delayed for a time (but never denied) until the parents are willing and able to accept their sacred responsibilities as Christian parents.
Other situations
Every family's situation is different. Call the Parish Office and we'll help.
Children or adolescents from about 7 to 18 years of age receive age-appropriate catechesis or instruction, privately with the parish staff or through the OCIA process.
Adults preparing for baptism should contact the parish about the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Learn about OCIA.
In the event of serious health issues, an emergency baptism may be celebrated by a priest or deacon or even by any person celebrating with the form prescribed by the Catholic Church. Call the Parish Office right away.