Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism

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 of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213

Baptism Policy Infant (those under 7 years) Baptism Policy at St. Jerome Catholic Church
 
Requirements for Baptism
1.        To register for baptism, please call Deacon Conrad Urteaga at (210) 838-4186.

2.        Parents and Godparents must attend a baptism preparation class. The purpose of
           these classes is to convey an understanding of baptism in the Church, to help parents
           recognize their responsibility and role in the development of their child’s faith, and to
           welcome young families into our parish family.   If classes are taken at any parish
           other than this one, they must provide proof of attendance by either in a certificate
           of attendance or a letter from that church’s pastor. If the parents and/or Godparents
           have taken Baptismal Preparation Classes within the past three years, this
           requirement is waived. (Code of Canon Law, c. 851; Catechism of the Catholic Church 843)

3.        Ordinarily, children are baptized in your home parish, If you are not registered in
           this parish or do not live within the boundaries of St. Jerome Catholic Church, a Letter of
           Permission from your home parish is necessary. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 857)

Requirements for Godparents
1.        Must be at least 16 years of age.

2.        At least one godparent is needed; a fully initiated (having received Baptism, First 
            Communion and Confirmation), practicing Catholic, registered in a parish.
           There may be two godparents, one man and one woman; both must be fully initiated
           practicing Catholics. If godparents do not reside within the boundaries of St. Jerome,  they             must obtain a letter of permission from their territorial parish. As long as there is one                     godparent who is a fully initiated practicing Catholic, a baptized practicing non-Catholic
           Christian can be designated as a Christian Witness to the baptism. 

3.        Must be someone other than the parents of the child to be baptized.

4.        Must be leading a life in harmony with the Catholic faith and the role they are
           about to assume.
(Code of Canon Law, cc. 867-868; Catechism of the Catholic Church 1251)
 The day of Baptism is a very special day. Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and the gateway into the Christian life. This sacrament is celebrated only once in a person’s life, making it a day to be remembered.

Prayerfully consider a few things:
         1) Does the person truly exemplify the faith, by living according to the teachings
             of the Catholic Church?
         2) Does the person live a life in harmony with the Church?
         3) Does the person regularly practice their faith by participation in the sacramental
             life of the Church?

Godparents should not be chosen because of family expectations or pressure.
The role of the godparent(s) is to be a presence, specifically a spiritual presence, in a child’s life. The Role of a Godparent in the Child’s Spiritual Life Godparents are a very special part of the sacrament, as they support and bolster the mission of the parents to bring up their child in the faith and to know God. The Godparents have two primary responsibilities:

         1) To accept the responsibility to help the parents to raise the child in faith.
         2) To represent the entire Church

Expectations of a Godparent
         1) To be part of the child’s lifelong journey of faith.
         2) To be a model of faith through the lived example of life in harmony with the
              Catholic Church.
         3) To be a good example to the child
         4) To practice the Catholic faith regularly.

Documentation Required:
-Baby's Birth Certificate
-Permission from home parish to Baptize at St. Jerome if parents do not live within the boundaries of St. Jerome Catholic Church
-Documentation of attendance - Baptism Preparation Class (For Parents & Godparents)
-Marriage certificate and Confirmation certificate for Godparents (If single, only Confirmation certificate is required)
-Permission from home parish to be Godparents at St. Jerome if Godparents do not live within the boundaries of St. Jerome Catholic Church


Scheduling of Baptism
Once all the paperwork is turned in, please call the office (210) 648-2694 to schedule the date for the Baptism. Baptisms are scheduled for Saturdays after the 5PM Mass and Sundays after the 11AM Mass.