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Baptism

- Sacraments

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

WHAT IS BAPTISM?
Baptism is the first Sacrament of our Church and the gateway to the other Sacraments. It is a most intimate encounter with Jesus Christ which graces us to be God’s children and members of His Church. It forever changes us - after the Sacrament of Baptism, we belong to Jesus Christ - who claims us as his own through the pouring of water and anointing with oil. Christ in this Sacrament fills us with life - and promises us eternal life. It is through this Sacrament that begins our Christian journey - one that is both graced and blessed, but requires a commitment from parents, godparents and the parish community alike to foster a Christian lifestyle in the newly baptized, and to help them learn and understand the faith in which they have been baptized.

WHO CAN BE BAPTIZED IN OUR PARISH?
Any parishioner, or children of parishioners, or those who live in the territory of our parish community may have their baptism celebrated in our parish. Those living outside our parish boundaries who wish to be baptized in our parish are asked to speak to the Pastor, and may require a simple letter of permission from your home parish. For any questions, or any doubts, please do not hesitate to contact our parish office.



COMMITMENT OF PARENTS
If parents are choosing to have their child baptized it is important to note the responsibility being taken, and the promises being made in the church during the Sacrament of Baptism. These responsibilities and promises include raising the children in the Catholic faith, bringing them to the celebration of Mass on Sundays, and living by example a good Catholic life grounded in the love of God and the teachings of the Catholic Church. If one parent is not Catholic, their consent and cooperation in the Catholic upbringing and formation of their child is needed as well.

CHOOSING GODPARENTS (SPONSORS)
*PLEASE READ BEFORE CHOOSING GODPARENTS*
Like parents, Godparents also take on responsibility and promises during the Sacrament of Baptism to help the newly baptized learn about the Catholic faith and live it out in their lives. The Godparents are to ensure the Catholic upbringing of the newly baptized and are asked to fulfil this role always, but especially when they notice that the parents have not taken their responsibility and promises seriously. Therefore it is encouraged to choose Godparents based on these commitments and not simply choosing a best friend, or choosing someone to honour them.

One Godparent, male or female, is sufficient. However, two Godparents is traditional, one Godfather and one Godmother (not two Godmothers or two Godfathers). They should be at least 16 years of age, have been Baptized Catholic themselves, received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and live a lifestyle which exemplifies the role they are undertaking. Godparents are not to be the parents of those being baptized. Godparents will be asked to provide a recent copy of their Sacraments that show the date of their Baptism and the date of their Confirmation. This is done by contacting the parish where they were baptized and requesting a Record of Sacraments that shows the date of Baptism and Confirmation. (A photocopy of an old certificate is insufficient).

Non-Baptized persons are not to be Godparents as they cannot fulfill their responsibility of assisting the parents in teaching and role-modeling the Catholic faith.

BAPTISM PREPARATION
Once parents have submitted their Baptismal Registration Form to the parish, they will be contacted by a member of the Baptism Preparation Team. Prior to the requested Baptism, a pre-scheduled meeting will be held at the parish. We look forward to meeting with you!

WHEN DO BAPTISMS TAKE PLACE?
Once all the required documentation is submitted and reviewed by the Parish Office, a date that can be chosen between the Parish and the family is mutually agreed upon.

IS THERE A COST FOR BAPTISM?
There is no set charge or fee for Baptism. It is our pleasure to share in this joyous occasion with you and your family. Free-will offerings or donations are welcome but not necessary to help cover the cost of materials and expenses for our Baptism Preparation Program.
Baptism Registration Form
Please fill out all of the fields listed below, and click submit at the end.
The maximum number of form submissions has been reached. This form is currently not available.
- Please make sure to fill out the information as careful and accurately as possible - as this information, together with the spelling of names, will be used for certificates and the parish register.
- Last Name of Child to be Baptized REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
- First Name and any Middle Names: REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
- Gender REQUIRED Male Female Please fill out this field.
- Date of Birth of Child to be Baptized: REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
- City/Province/State of Birth REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
- Full Name of Mother Please enter valid data.
- Maiden Name of Mother (if applicable) Please enter valid data.
- Religion of Mother Please enter valid data.
- Full Name of Father Please enter valid data.
- Religion of Father Please enter valid data.
- Address REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
- City and Province/State REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
- Postal Code REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
- Phone Number REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
- Email Address REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
- Date of Marriage of Parents (if applicable) Please enter valid data.
- Name of Church of Marriage and denomination (if applicable) Please enter valid data.
- City/Province/State of Marriage (if applicable) Please enter valid data.
- Before you choose your Godparents, please remember:
  - One Godparent, male or female, is sufficient - two Godparents is traditional with one Godfather and one Godmother (not two Godmothers or two Godfathers).
  - Godparents should be at least 16 years of age and have already received the Sacrament of Baptism and Confirmation for themselves, and be good role-models of the Catholic faith.
  - They will have to produce proof of the date of the Baptism and the date of their Confirmation with a record of their Sacraments dated recently from the church they were baptized at. (A photocopy of an old certificate is not sufficient)
  - Someone who is not baptized at all cannot be a Godparent as they cannot fulfill their responsibility of assisting the parents in teaching and role-modeling the Catholic faith.
- Name of Sponsor 1 (Godparent) Please enter valid data.
- Religion of Sponsor 1 Please enter valid data.
- Name of Sponsor 2 (Godparent) Please enter valid data.
- Religion of Sponsor 2 Please enter valid data.
- Which Church would you like the Baptism to take place? REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
- Other Comments or Notes:
Submit

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Holy Name of Jesus & St. Alphonsus Liguori

North Bay, Ontario, Canada

Baptism