The Sacrament of Baptism at Christ the King

The sacrament of Baptism is a very important event in the life of your child.  Through Baptism, your child will receive God’s sanctifying grace for the first time, and become a member of the Body of Christ through membership in the Catholic Church.  We are delighted to welcome your child as one of the newest members of our parish as well!

Christ the King prides itself in being a warm and caring parish community. We hope that the time you spend in preparing for your child’s baptism will be a unique opportunity for you to deepen your participation in the life of our parish. Each Sunday we gather for Mass to celebrate who we are as God’s people.  Together we reflect on God’s Holy Word and are nourished by the Eucharist (Holy Communion), which is the source and summit of our life.

Deciding to Baptize Your Child

At Christ the King parish, we welcome all children to the sacrament of baptism. We see ourselves as partners with parents, supporting you, the first and best teachers of your child in the ways of faith.

Prior to baptism, we encourage you to join us for Sunday worship, which will give you a sense of the vibrant community into which your child will be baptized. We also invite and encourage you to participate in any of our many ministry opportunities, sharing your gifts as you are able. We also ask that families, prior to the baptism, register as parishioners of our parish community, so that we can better serve your family.

Preparing for Baptism

In order to prepare spiritually and practically for your child’s baptism, we ask that parents attend our baptismal preparation session. Godparents are encouraged to attend sessions as well. There are typically two opportunities per month to participate in this session, and parents and godparents can choose which session works best for them. Please contact the parish office for specific dates of our preparation options.

Before attending the session, you may want to consider the following questions:

1. When would we like to celebrate our child’s baptism? (specific dates and times will be discussed as a part of the preparation process)
2. Who would we like to serve as our child’s godparents?

Parents, we encourage you to take time in prayer and discernment when considering your child’s godparents. For centuries, the Catholic Church has emphasized the important role of godparents in the spiritual formation of all the faithful, especially young people.

Parent Information

• Baptisms are held on the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at Christ the King Church worship space.
• Baptism preparation class needs to be completed by sponsors and first-time parents.
• There is to be only one Catholic Godmother and/or one Godfather to be listed on the Baptismal certificate and in the Church record.
• Baptism Preparation Class will be held in the at Parish Center or at St Bernadette Church. 10 am, on the 3rd Sunday each month (except for July and December when there are no classes).

Godparent Requirements

Through your discernment, we ask that you select a godparent who is…

• Not the parent or a step parent of the child.
• A Confirmed Catholic.
• 16 years of age, or older.
• A Catholic “in good standing” with the sacramental life of the Church
  • Godparents must present a letter from their parish which acknowledges their active participation in the parish community.
• A person who is willing to accept the responsibility of helping to raise your child in the Roman Catholic faith.

Baptism Preparation Class must be completed by godparents and parents. Parents are required to complete baptism preparation class for first child only.

Non-Christian Sponsors may not participate unless accompanied with the Catholic sponsor. Non-Christian Sponsors will not be listed on the Baptismal certificate nor in the Church record.

Catholic godparents (sponsors) who are not registered at Christ the King Catholic Church must provide a letter from their home parish stating that they are eligible to serve as a godparent (sponsor). The letter must be signed by the Pastor and sealed with the church seal.

Please note: If a prospective Sponsor belongs to a non-Catholic Christian Community, she/he must attend our Baptism preparation class. All non-Catholic Christians will serve as a Christian Witness and not as a godparent

Baptism and Beyond

Since baptism is celebrated and lived out in community, we welcome and encourage parents and godparents to begin making mass attendance a regular part of your family’s schedule, if it is not already. Don’t worry about your child making noise during Mass—we welcome the sounds of new life! Parents often find that their children enjoy sitting toward the front of Mass so they can see what is going on, so don’t be shy. We also encourage you to talk with your child about what is happening during Mass (and if you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask them. We are here to support you!).

Through the sacrament of Baptism, both parents and godparents make a solemn promise to raise the baptized child in the Catholic faith. A significant component of raising your child in the Catholic faith involves active participation in their faith formation. On-going formation for young people includes religious education (also known as REP, Sunday school, or “CCD”) classes, as well as formation in the home. Taking time to pray as a family, engaging in outreach opportunities, and participating in parish events, including Mass, are all ways of forming your child’s faith at an early age and continuing their formation throughout their lives.

Studies show that the most powerful factor in a child’s faith development is the example of their parents, so if you demonstrate by your actions that faith is important to you, your child will be more likely to continue as a person of faith.

We also invite and encourage you to discern serving in our parish ministries, since you bring God-given gifts that no other person can contribute to the community. We are happy to help you to discover your gifts and help you find your role in ministry!

We look forward to welcoming your child into the Christian faith through the sacrament of Baptism and having your family be a part of our worshiping community. If you have any questions regarding Baptism, or any other sacrament, please feel free to contact our parish office.

Baptism Preparation for Children Over the Age of Seven – Having a child baptized is a decision that comes after discernment and prayer. For some, this decision does not take place right after a child is born. We welcome all to the sacrament of Baptism. There is never a time when it’s “too late” for a person to be baptized; however, the preparation for an older child is a bit different than infants and toddlers, since they can and should be more actively involved the process. Parents who feel called to have their young child (age 7 or older) baptized, should contact the parish office so we can work with you and your child at his or her level.