Baptisms are usually scheduled on the 3rd Sunday of the month after the 11:00 a.m. Mass.
Other times by appointment
Please fill out the baptismal form and drop it off to the parish office, mail it to address on form or email it to parishsec@smvchurch.org
Baptism is a sacrament of Initiation, which introduces the recipient into the faith. It is the way out of the kingdom of death into life, the gateway to the Church, and the beginning of lasting communion with God. Baptism is the prerequisite for all other sacraments. It unites us with Jesus Christ, incorporates us into his redemptive death on the cross, and freeing us from orginal sin and all personal sins. Baptism is a covenant with God. --YouCat 193 & 194
In early time the "passing through" water symbolized cleansing & new life; dying to one's old self and being born again of Christ. The recipient can either be fully immersed in water, dipped into the water or have water poured over their head. "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit". The ceremony also includes anointing with oil, the white garment - signifying purity, and the baptismal candle - signifying the light of Christ.
Any person not yet baptized, can be baptized. The only prerequisite for Baptism is faith, which must be professed publicly. In the case of infant baptism, the parent makes this profession of faith for them. From antiquity the Church has practiced infant Baptism. There is one reason for this: before we decide on God, God has decided on us. Baptism is therefore a grace, ans undeserved gift of God, who accepts us unconditionally. Believing parents who want the best for their child want Baptism also, in which the child is freed from the influence of original sin. It is an injustice to deprive the child of Baptism out of a mistaken liberality. One cannot deprive a child of love so that he can later decide on love for himself; so too it would be an injustice if believing parents were to deprive their child of God's grace in Baptism. At any rate, Baptism can never be imposed on anyone. If someone has received Baptism as a little child, he must "ratify" it later in life - this means he must say Yes to it, so that it becomes fruitful. --- YouCat 196 & 197