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. On Sunday and/or the Saturday Vigil Anticipation Masses, 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 St. John the Evangelist
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 St. John’s:
-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 St. John’s. 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 St. John’s and express your desire to have your child baptized. You can contact Bri Campbell via email at bri.campbell@stjohnsindy.org or call her at the parish office at 317-635-2021. You are encouraged to do so well before your child is born.
-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.
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. On Sunday and/or the Saturday Vigil Anticipation Masses, 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 St. John the Evangelist
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 St. John’s:
-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 St. John’s. 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 St. John’s and express your desire to have your child baptized. You can contact Bri Campbell via email at bri.campbell@stjohnsindy.org or call her at the parish office at 317-635-2021. 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.
-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.