After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water
and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he
saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and]
coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens,
saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17.
Our
parish family here at St. Augustine welcomes you and
your child. Baptism marks a significant event in the
life of your child, for through Baptism the child
becomes a member of the Body of Christ, the Church.
Moreover, the newly baptized is given the promise of
the status of being an adopted child of God. Baptism
also opens the doors to the other sacraments, which
allows for spiritual growth and support.
We
ask that you read the following guidelines carefully.
If some questions should arise, please do not hesitate
to contact us. We want your child’s baptism to be a
spiritual and memorable event. May God bless you as
you prepare to begin the journey of faith with your
child.
In
order for a child to be baptized at St. Augustine, the
parents must be registered or live within the parish
boundaries of St. Augustine.
PRE-BAPTISM CLASSES:
As
your child grows in faith and knowledge, you as
parents are the most influential force in his/her
life. Your example through the active participation in
your faith life will help your child come to Christ.
Therefore, it is important that you see the value in
preparing yourself as well as your child to take this
significant step. Thus, we ask parents to attend 2
pre-baptism classes. Baptism classes are held every 1st
Monday of the month in Spanish and every 2nd
Monday of the month in English both classes are at
7:00 pm. If there is going to be a change it will be
posted. Reservations need to be made after the
initial appointment with the parish priest and prior
to attending class. With classes being given on a
first come, first serve basis you need to make
reservations by calling the parish office at (713)
946-8968. The baptism classes are for adults only;
baby-sitting is not provided. There is no charge for
the class. Both parents are asked to attend the
classes. Exceptions will only be at the discretion of
the priest or deacon.
GODPARENTS:
Your
choice of godparents is very important. A godparent
is a witness to the child, modeling the faith life of
the entire community. They are also meant to be a
support for the parents to encourage and help them to
live a life of faith. Through you and the godparents,
the children will come to know Christ. Children to be
baptized need to have one, but strongly recommended to
have two, godparents, one male and one female.
Godparents must be Catholic, at least sixteen years of
age, have received the three sacraments of initiation:
Baptism,
First Communion, and Confirmation, and be active in
their faith. If they are married, the marriage must be
a valid, recognized marriage in the Catholic Church
(in the presence of a Catholic priest or deacon).
A
baptized person of another Christian denomination
cannot be a godparent. They are invited to be a
witness, and we welcome them, but they cannot be the
godparent of record. The godparents represent the
community of faith in which the child is being
baptized; thus it is appropriate that only those who
are practicing Catholics be godparents. In addition,
the godparents are chosen to instill and support the
faith of the community in which the child will one day
receive the sacraments.
CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM:
The
celebration of the sacraments is always communal in
nature; therefore, private baptisms are discouraged.
Baptism dates and arrangements will be discussed at
the initial meeting with the priest or deacon or
baptismal team.
In
addition to attending the baptism class, the parents
must provide the church office with the following
documentation:
1)
The completed application form which
can be obtained from the church Office; it will be
filled out when you attend classes.
2)
A copy of the regular birth
certificate.
3) The
names of the godparents.
4) If
classes were taken elsewhere, a letter will be
required stating where and when you have taken
classes.
Baptisms will not be scheduled until one or both
parents have attended the baptism class and all these
documents have been provided.
To
schedule the baptism you must either come to the
church office or call the church office when you have
completed all the requirements in order to get your
name on a specific schedule for baptism. Please note
that if you do not complete all the requirements and
properly schedule the baptism through the church
office, a baptismal certificate will not be prepared.
ANY
CHILD WHO IS 7 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER MUST BE
INSTRUCTED IN THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM BEFORE THEY CAN
BE BAPTIZED. THOSE STUDENTS, WHO ARE IN THE RCIA FOR
CHILDREN, WILL RECEIVE BAPTISM, EUCHARIST, AND
CONFIRMATION AT THE EASTER VIGIL.
THE
STUDENTS MUST KNOW THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SACRAMENT
BEFORE THEY CAN BE BAPTIZED. THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES
MUST BE FOLLOWED:
First
Reconcilation Guidelines
First Eucharist
Guidelines
Confirmation
Guidelines
Lifelong Faith Formation Statement | Parish Mission Statement | Lifelong Faith Formation Goals | The Role Of The Family | The Faith Of The Parents | Parents As Primary Educators | Registration Policy | Attendence | Excused and unexcused Absences | Pick Up Policy | Drop Off Policy | Discipline | Dress Code | Fees | Communications | Field Trips | Protecting God's Children Program | Other Situations | Baptism | First Reconcilation | First Eucharist | Confirmation | RICA For Children | Quince Anős Celebrations | Adult Formation | Life Long Faith Formation Class Times
