Baptism

Baptism for Infants (Newborn to 6 years old)

Holy 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. Through baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission. (Catechism of the Catholic Church)

Holy Spirit Catholic Church is grateful to welcome your child into the family of the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism. Baptisms are normally celebrated on the 1st and 2nd Sundays of the month at 12:45pm. Baptisms do not take place during Lent. We ask that parents be registered parishioners of Holy Spirit for three months prior to the baptismal date. To register for the parish, please click here.

To schedule a date for your child’s baptism, please complete the Online Baptism Registration Form. Because Baptism is such a grace-filled event, it entails specific responsibilities on the part of both the parents and godparents:

• Parents are asked to have attended a Baptism Preparation Workshop at Holy Spirit within the past three years. To register for the preparation workshop, please complete the online Baptism Preparation Workshop Registration form. Both parents are expected to attend this adults-only workshop.

• There is a $100 fee to help cover church costs. (Please make checks out to Holy Spirit Catholic Church.) A free will offering is suggested for the officiant of the Baptism. These may be submitted ahead of the baptism, or on the day of.

Godparents

• The godparent’s role is to guide the child in the ways of the Catholic faith so that he/she might reach heaven. Please keep in mind that you are not simply choosing a friend to honor with a special title. Church Law stipulates that Godparents must be Catholics who are practicing their faith and attend Mass regularly, are at least 16 years of age, have received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation, and may not be the mother or father of the one to be baptized.

• The parents may choose to have one male godparent and one female godparent, or just one godparent. If there will be only one godparent, the other party may be a Christian Witness, who is a baptized non-Catholic Christian of the opposite gender. Please click here for the Christian Witness form. Please note that a baptized Catholic may not serve as a Christian Witness.

• Each godparent is asked to have an eligibility form signed and sealed by the parish priest where they are currently registered. Please also include a copy of their Confirmation certificate. Documents must be submitted two weeks prior to the Baptism.

•  If a godparent cannot be present for the baptism, a proxy should stand in for the godparent. The requirements for the proxy are the same as those for the godparent, including submitting their own paperwork.

For questions regarding infant baptisms, please contact the Parish Office by phone at 630-922-0081, ext 93 or email mbowens@hscc.us.

Non-Infant or Adult Baptism (7 years and older)

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 28:19-20a)

Please contact Roberta Balsewicz at 630-922-0081 ext 7 or email rbalsewicz@hscc.us for more information so that we can personally connect with you to create an individualized plan to welcome you into the Church.