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.

Infant Baptism

• Contact their parish as soon as possible after the birth of their child;
• Bring the child’s birth certificate.
• Parents are required to attend the Baptismal preparation presentation.

• Be designated by the parents or the one who takes their place.
• Have completed the 16th year.
• Be a practicing Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the sacrament of the Eucharist, and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken.
• If married, is in a valid Catholic marriage.
• Not bound by any canonical penalty.
• Not be the mother of the father of the one to be baptized.
• Complete the Baptism Sponsor Covenant form.

Recommended Parish Baptism Preparation Series (Publisher|Program)

Augustine Institute | Reborn

• Video series of 6 DVDs explores the deeply personal and sacred relevance of Baptism for parents, godparents, and the baptized. The series focuses on biblical roots and Catholic Tradition, and the significance of each step in the Rite. 

• Subscription to Formed.org is required

• Available in English and Spanish

Ascension Press | Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God

• Self-paced online Baptism Prep following group meeting with parish coordinator
• The video presenter is Fr. Mike Schmitz
• 4 parts that focus on the meaning of Baptism, Rite, the role of parents & godparents, and raising a Catholic family
• Available in English and Spanish

Bayard/ Creative Communications | Welcoming God's Children

• Presenter is Fr. Joe Kempf
• Teachings on DVD (18 min); includes a Leader Guide and Parish Connection Newsletters & Family packet to connect family to parish.
• Available in English 

Dynamic Catholic | Starting Point

• Relevant & inspiring videos
• Parent Preparatory Inventory & a fee-based email program which sends reminders all year long to remind parents of God's love and the great gift their child received through baptism.
• Covers three areas of concentration: Understand Baptism, Start Dreaming, Raise Great Kids
• Available in English and Spanish

Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries |  Claim 

• Claim invites parents to reflect on the gift and responsibility of raising a child in the faith and equip them to actively participate in the liturgical celebration.
• It inspires parents to live out their faith through hands-on activities and meaningful conversations. 
• The 5 at-home Parent Meetings include a teaching, accompanied by reflections and activities, and a closing prayer. 
• 1 Godparent meeting. 2 at-church sessions.
• Available in English

Liguori | Your Baby's Baptism 

• Presented by Fr. Jim Deiters
• Leader guide, parent guide & godparent guide cover the history, symbols, the celebration of the Rite and building the Domestic Church. DVD (30min)
• Available in English and Spanish

Loyola | Springs of Faith

•   Three components that can be used in sequence or individually:   
  • Discover: focuses on evangelization/the kerygma in four 90-min sessions.
  • Encounter: Baptism preparation in 2 sessions 
  • Share - building the domestic church through family gatherings         
• Available in English and Spanish

Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) | Call to Celebrate: Baptism

• The Program Guide outlines three 2-hr sessions. 
• Family Book has an overview of the Rite, discussion, and memory pages
• Catholic Parent Know-How pamphlets for baptism prep and living faith 
• Available in English and Spanish

Sadlier | We Believe and Celebrate

• Covers the theology of Baptism, roles of parent & godparent, the Rite, Making a keepsake. Instructor has leader guide.
• Available in English and Spanish

Confirmation is one of the Initiation sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist).

• It unites us more firmly to Christ.
• It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• It renders a perfect bond with the Church.
• It gives us the special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith.

The Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, the Lord’s own sacrifice.  In the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church namely, Christ himself. It is communion in the divine life. It is the culmination both of God’s action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship offered to Christ. It is the sum and summary of our faith. Eucharist completes the Christian Initiation.

• Parents must provide proof that the child was baptized in the Catholic Church
• The child must attend a preparation program provided at the parish
• Parents are the primary educators of children in the Catholic faith and should take an active part in First Communion preparation
• The child will also be prepared to receive First Reconciliation

“Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him and are at the same time reconciled with the Church” (CCC 1422).

1. The examination of conscience
2. The confessing of sins to the priest
3. The absolution and contrition
4. The completion of the penance given by the priest

“By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them” (CCC 1499).

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time.

• Episcopate-Bishop
• Presbyterate-Priest
• Diaconate-Deacon

Is the matrimonial covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament (CCC 1601).

• The couple should contact their parish as soon as they have made the decision to marry.

• The couple should receive appropriate education and pastoral preparation through participation in a marriage preparation program approved by the diocese.

• Baptized Catholics should present a recently issued, annotated baptismal certificate.

• Baptized non-Catholics should present satisfactory proof of baptism and freedom to marry.

• Unbaptized persons should present satisfactory proof of freedom to marry.