Baptism
A New Creation in Christ
The Gateway to Life and Grace
Baptism is the gateway sacrament of our faith. Through its cleansing waters, we are spiritually transformed by grace: original sin is washed away, we are reborn as beloved children of God, and we are welcomed into the Body of Christ, the Church. This sacred beginning opens the door to a lifelong journey with Jesus and the promise of eternal life.
The Church Teaches: "Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit... and the door which gives access to the other sacraments." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213)
Jesus Himself said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)
The Gateway to Life and Grace
Baptism is the gateway sacrament of our faith. Through its cleansing waters, we are spiritually transformed by grace: original sin is washed away, we are reborn as beloved children of God, and we are welcomed into the Body of Christ, the Church. This sacred beginning opens the door to a lifelong journey with Jesus and the promise of eternal life.
The Church Teaches: "Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit... and the door which gives access to the other sacraments." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213)
Jesus Himself said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)
Arranging a Baptism
We are overjoyed that you are seeking this beautiful sacrament for your child. Here are some info for starters.
A Few Steps to Follow
To begin the process of scheduling a Baptism at St. Ambrose Barlow, please follow these steps:
Parish Registration: Parents seeking Baptism for their child should be registered members of our parish community.
Select Godparents: Choose individuals who will be a strong model of Catholic faith for your child. A godparent must be a confirmed, practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church.
Attend a Preparation Class: Both parents and godparents are required to attend a Baptismal preparation class to fully understand the sacrament and their roles.
Information to Gather
To make the inquiry process as smooth as possible, please have the following details ready before you start the form.
Child's Information: Your child's full legal name, date of birth, and the city and state where they were born.
Parents' Information: Your full names, including the mother's full maiden name, which is required for the official church record.
Godparents' Information: The full names of your chosen godparents and the name and city of their home parish. This is needed so they can obtain a required letter of good standing from their pastor.
Having these details on hand will make completing the form a breeze! 🙏
Inquire About It
For all inquiries about Baptism and to register for a preparation class, please use this form.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Church baptizes infants because Baptism is a pure gift of God's grace that should not be denied to children. Just as parents make other important life decisions for their children, they also choose to give them the immense gift of becoming a child of God and a member of the Church. The practice is rooted in the early Church's tradition of baptizing entire "households," which included children (Acts 16:15, 33).
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A godparent's role is to be a model of faith and to help the parents raise the child in the Catholic faith. They represent the Church community and promise to support the child's spiritual journey. Therefore, a godparent must be a confirmed, practicing Catholic in good standing (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1255).
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No. Baptism imprints an indelible (permanent) spiritual mark on the soul, configuring us to Christ forever. This is why the sacrament is only received once (CCC, 1272).
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4)
The primary symbols used in Baptism are powerful reminders of this new reality:
Water: Represents the cleansing from sin and the rising to new life in Christ.
Sacred Chrism (Oil): Signifies our anointing as priest, prophet, and king, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
White Garment: Symbolizes purity and having "put on Christ."
Candle: Represents the light of Christ, which we are called to share with the world.