A sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible reality.
Mother Angelica
Baptism (Preparing to Receive the Sacrament of Baptism for Infants & Young Children)
We welcome you during this important time as you prepare for your child’s Baptism. This sacrament is the gateway that opens us up to life in the Spirit, frees us from sin, and through “re-birth” enables us to become children of God, configured to Christ, and incorporated into the Church. As baptized sons and daughters, we are now God’s children.
Before one can receive the Sacrament of Baptism, it is necessary to receive instruction concerning the faith. In infant baptism the child receives the sacrament and the implications and meaning are un-packed as he or she grows and fulfills the true meaning of the sacrament. Thus, it is the Church’s desire to offer preparation and instruction for the parents. It is through the lived example of both parents and godparents that the grace of the sacrament will take hold and bear fruit in the life of the child.
For more info on Baptism of Infants/Young Children visit the links below:
+ Scheduling & Preparing for Baptism
+ Godparent Info
+ Marital Status of Parents
All of the above information applies to baptism of an infant or young child only. If you have a child to be baptized who has reached catechetical age/the age of reason (Grade 2 or 7 years), you and they will receive different preparation. Having sufficient understanding, the preparation will now be for the full complement of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
If you have any questions, please contact Mary Ellen Minnick by email at meminnick@popeace.org or by phone at 812-265-4166 Ext 239.
Scheduling and Preparing for Baptism
As for the time of baptism, the first consideration is for the welfare of the child that he or she is not to be deprived of the benefit of the sacrament. While it is desirable that infants be baptized within the first weeks after birth, other pastoral considerations can be taken into account such as allowing sufficient time to prepare the parents, as well as planning the actual celebration in order to bring out the sacrament’s true character effectively.
The Church also teaches that the parents (or at least one of them) must consent to the infant’s baptism. There must also be a well-founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic faith. If such a hope is lacking, baptism is to be delayed.
To bring out the paschal character of baptism, it is recommended that the sacrament be celebrated on Sunday when the Church commemorates the Lord’s resurrection. Baptism may be celebrated even during the liturgy so that the entire community may be present and the relationship between Baptism and Eucharist may be clearly seen. It is a general practice that no baptisms take place during Lent as we try to not lose focus of the penitential character of the liturgical season.
Non-parishioners of Prince of Peace
Baptism should take place at the parish where the family is registered. It is the Church’s desire that families engage their faith and sacramental life at the parish where they are personally and primarily committed as registered parishioners. It is in that parish that the pastor has both a right and an obligation to administer the sacraments. If you are not a registered parishioner and have a special circumstance that initiates a desire to have your child baptized at Prince of Peace:
-You are required to take your Baptismal Preparation in the parish in which you reside and then receive a testimonial letter from your parish priest to have your child baptized at Prince of Peace. This requirement respects the reality that pastors normally have sacramental jurisdiction only over their own parishioners. The pastor cares for the community entrusted to him, fulfilling the duties of teaching, sanctifying, and governing. (Canon #519)
-Therefore, when one seeks a sacrament outside of one’s parish, the proper pastor’s permission is necessary. Furthermore, the invitation to connect with one’s own proper parish first is founded on the hope that the faith-life of the family and of the one(s) to be baptized will be lived in community and not in isolation.
Stages of Parent Preparation
In order to respect your request for the baptism of your child, you are invited to follow closely the stages of preparation offered below:
-Contact Prince of Peace and express your desire to have your child baptized. You can contact Mary Ellen Minnick via email at meminnick@popeace.org or call her at the parish office at 812-265-4116 Ext 239. You are encouraged to do so well before your child is born.
- Schedule and attend a baptismal preparation and faith formation class offered by the parish.
- Consider the selection of your child’s godparents.
-Introduce yourself to Father Rick and Mary Ellen Minnick if you do not already know them personally.
-Open yourself to the invitation to actively join the faith community of the parish. If you are not registered parishioners, register and please consider becoming involved in the prayer and celebration of the Sunday Eucharistic community as well as the ongoing life of the parish. Registration information can be found on our website.
Godparent Info
When a child is to be baptized, he or she must have at least one godparent. It is customary and preferred that children have two godparents. When there are two, one must be male and the other female. Godparents must meet all of the following criteria, which are established by universal Church law and which do not vary from place to place. Godparents must:
- be Catholic
- have been baptized, confirmed and receive Communion
- be 16 or older
- must be living a life consistent with their own baptismal vows.
- not be the mother or father of the child to be baptized
This means that godparents must practice the faith of the Church, and cannot have taken public positions in opposition to Catholic faith or morals. If a godparent is married, their marriage must be recognized by the Church. In general, if a potential godparent is not a member of the parish where the baptism is to take place, he or she must obtain a letter or certificate (commonly known as a “Letter of Good Standing”) from their own pastor which affirms that they meet the above requirements.
A baptized person who belongs to another Christian community may be admitted only as a “Christian Witness” (not a godparent) provided that there is at least one Roman Catholic godparent who fulfills the above criteria. In such a case, a “Letter of Good Standing is not required.” However, a copy of the record of their baptism is to be obtained and submitted to Prince of Peace Parish Office.
A non-baptized person cannot be a witness (Code of Canon Law, cc. 872-874).
Marital Status of Parents
Your marital status will be clarified during the baptismal preparation process. Baptism is not denied if the parents are unmarried or not married in the Roman Catholic Church. However, there may be reason to postpone Baptism if parents are not practicing the faith, or have no intention of living a Catholic life in harmony with the Gospel. If your status is not in harmony with the Roman Catholic understanding of sacramental marriage, please inquire as to how we may help you enter into proper sacramental marriage or, if need be, seek a declaration of nullity by the Church.
A God Parent form must be filled out and sent to the parish office. Please contact the parish office about obtaining this form. It must be signed by the Godparent’s parish priest.