Baptism(s) are usually held the 3rd Saturday of the month at 11am.

Holy Family Parish welcomes you and rejoices in the Baptism of your child! Baptism is a precious gift given to us by God through the Church. It is natural that parents would wish to pass this gift on to their children as soon as possible! At Holy Family, our requirements for infant Baptism are as follows:

(1) Family is registered as members of Holy Family Parish:
  • You may register in the parish office during the week. (If you are registered at another parish, permission from your parish is necessary to celebrate the Baptism at Holy Family.)

(2) A phone request  for Baptism has been made with the Parish Office and the following information provided:
  • Child's first, middle and last Name
  • Mother's Name
  • Father's Name
  • Address, City, State and Zip Code
  • Telephone Number
  • Month requested

(3) Attendance of Baptism Preparation Program has been completed; i.e. if you are new parents or it has been five years since you have attended a Baptism class, you will need to participate in our preparation program:
  • This preparation program is usually held every month on a Sunday from 8:00 - 11:15AM. We encourage you to attend the program before the baby is born.
  • Godparents are invited, but not required to attend.
  • Parents/Godparents may participate in any preparation session prior to the Baptism - not necessarily the one immediately preceding the Sunday of Baptism.
  • Please, when possible, register for the program through the parish office prior to your baby's birth.

(4) Selection of Godparents has been made per Church requirements (Cannon Law):
  • They have received the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation).
  • They are at least 16 years old.
  • They lead a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken.
  • They fully understand what they are undertaking.
  • There is only one male or one female or one of each, meaning there is either one Godmother or one Godfather or there is both a Godmother and a Godfather, but not two of the same sex.
  • They are not the father and/or the mother of the one being Baptized.

Notes:
  • A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic Christian community cannot be a Godparent, but may be a "Christian Witness" as long as the other Godparent is a Catholic who fulfills the above requirements. A Christian Witness must be over 16, have a convinced faith in Christ, and understand fully what they are undertaking.
  • A non-practicing Catholic can not be a Godparent or Christian Witness.
  • If any of these requirements for Catholic Godparents or Christian Witnesses present a problem, please contact the parish office to set up a meeting with a priest to discuss the matter.
          Baptism is the first of the sacraments of initiation into the Catholic church. It makes us adopted children of God, incorporates us into Christ, pardons all our sin, and forms us into God's people. It confers a permanent relationship with Christ and his Church.

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."


(Matthew 28:19-20)

Video: courtesy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Monsignor   John Zenz, Archdiocese of Detroit: speaker.
 
Baptism at Holy Family Parish

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Signs & Symbols of Baptism

Water
In Baptism, we "pass through water" - a sign of participation in the death of Christ and His emergence into freedom. Freed from the power of evil, the power of God's life and love will prevail.

Paschal Candle
At Baptism, a small candle for each candidate is lit from the Paschal Candle; the priest says, "Receive the light of Christ."

White Garment
At Baptism the Church wraps candidates in a white garment - a sign of acceptance and belonging in the community of faith. The garment is white, like Jesus' light.

Oil of the Catechumen
This oil is applied on the chest of the candidate with the sign of the cross. This oil, a sign of strength, imparts the power to resist evil.

Sacred Chrism Oil
This oil, placed on the crown of the head of the candidate, calls out for the new Christian to be the "good fragrance of Christ". Oil has been used through the centuries as a sign of God's favor.









Parents of non-infant children and/or adults seeking Baptism should contact the parish office to discuss the various options for such.