St. Michael & St. Joseph Parishes

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO schedule A BAPTISM

Thank-you on wanting to have your child baptized in the Catholic Church.

The sacrament of baptism is celebrated once a month in each parish. It the Second Sunday of the month at St. Michael, and the fourth Sunday of the month at St. Joseph.

STEP ONE: Register On-Line for Baptism We are now using Flocknote for all Parish registrations including registration for Baptism. There is a link below to register, but first read these instructions.

Once you click on the link you will be brought to the Flocknote registration portal. You will first have to choose if you are a new parishioner for either parish, or a long time parishioner for either parish.

You will then be be asked to provide an email address or cell phone number. A 4-digit codes will be sent to which one you choose that you will then insert.

You will be asked some questions first about yourself. When you finish the qeustion about yourself you will be asked “Are you married”. Answer “yes” even if you are not actually married, but are living together in a committed relationship. You will then be asked to fill out questions about your spouse/partner. you will be asked to fill out questions about him/her. There are not many questions for adults so please answer all of them. Among the questions will be one about what type of registration this is. Obviously choose baptism.

After you register your spouse/partner you will be asked if you have any children. Answer “yes” and you can register them including your child for baptism. It is important to answer all of these questions about your children especially about the child that will be baptized.

BEGIN THE REGISTRATION PROCESS BY CLICKING HERE.

STEP TWO: Make an appointment with Fr. Fred. The next step is to schedule an appointment with Fr. Babiczuk. BOTH PARENTS need to attend this meeting unless only one parent will not be involved in the raising of the child. He has office hours on Saturday morning. You can schedule an appointment with him on-line by CLICKING HERE. No need to call the office If you are not available during on a Saturday morning, you will need to call Shanna Lubold in the office to set an appointment.

STEP THREE: Baptismal Preparation. Both parents and sponsors need to attend attend Baptismal Preparation unless the sponsors lives far away. These Sessions are held at St. Michael’s Church on the fourth Thursday of the month at 6:30pm unless it is a holiday. You can contact Shanna in the office to register for the class or you can register on-line by clicking here. Do not schedule this class till after sponsors have received their sponsor forms from their Parishes. The dates for these session for the rest of 2025 f are November 20 (4th Thursday is Thanksgiving) , December 18 (4th Thursday is Christmas)

STEP FOUR: Set the date for Baptism. You can set a date for the baptism after you have attended the Preparation class. If fact, you can set the date for baptism at the end of the class, or by calling the office.

GODPARENTS/SPONSORS

You will need to select at least one qualified godparent or sponsor. There are normally two godparents, one man and one woman. If you have two, they have to be male and female. Godparents need to be at least 16 years of age, confirmed and, if currently married, married according to the laws of the Church. They have to obtain a “sponsor’s certificate” from the church they currently are registered with.

It is possible to have one “Catholic Sponsor” and one “Christian Witness”. A Christian witness is a person who is baptized in another Christian denomination. 

Why all these rules? What can’t I have anyone I want to be a Godfather or Godmother? In the Church being a Sponsor for baptism is not just a honorable title. Sponsors are mentors in the ways of the catholic faith. How can someone be a mentor for the faith if they are not practicing the faith?

DONATIONS for baptism

There is no fee for a baptism. If you would like to make a donation to the Church, place it in an envelope with the child’s name on it and give it to the priest or deacon on the day of the baptism.

BAPTISMAL CEREMONY

The ceremony is a joyous occasion in which children are initiated into the Catholic faith. It begins with a welcoming rite in which the parents publicly name their child and, along with the priest or deacon, trace the sign of the cross on the child’s forehead. This is followed by a reading from scripture, a renunciation of sin and profession of faith by the parents and godparents, the blessing of the water and the actual baptism. The child is anointed with chrism and then clothed in a white garment. Someone from the family (such as parent or godparent) lights the child’s candle from the Easter candle. 

Sign of the Cross: The sign of the cross is the mark of Christians because Jesus Christ died on the cross. Parents and godparents trace it on the child’s forehead to show that the child belongs to Christ, who now offers his help and grace to face and overcome the sufferings of life.

Water: This is for cleansing and is a sign that our sins are washed away. Baptism cleanses us of original sin with which we are all born and, in adults of every sin committed prior to baptism. Water is also necessary for life and so is a sign, too, that the life of the risen Christ is ours.

Oils: Oil of baptism is olive oil rubbed on the breast of the child to strengthen and prepare for the fight ahead. Oil of chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam and is rubbed on the crown of the head. It is a sign of sealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The profession of Faith which you make on behalf of your child at baptism will later be confirmed personally by your child in the sacrament of confirmation when oil of chrism will be used again.

White Garment: This garment is a relic of the new clothes worn by Christians after baptism. It is a sign of innocence and the new life of resurrection.

Candles: These symbolize Christ – the Light of the World. The baptismal candle is lit from the paschal candle, which stands near the altar at Easter as sign of the risen Christ. The baptismal candle reminds us that the light of Christ has entered the child’s life; and it’s flame symbolizes the flame of faith which will burn through the life of your child.

Certificate of Baptism: Your child’s baptism will be recorded in the parish Baptismal Register. In the years ahead proof of baptism may be obtained in the form of a certificate issued on the basis of this registration. Your child’s Confirmation, Marriage or Ordination will also be noted alongside this entry in the register.