Baptism

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children 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. – CCC 1213

To be baptized is to become a new creation in Christ and an essential part of the community of believers we call the Body of Christ: “As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.” (1 Cor. 12:12). Baptism marks the beginning of a Catholic’s life in Christ even as it washes away sins, rescues from the power of darkness, and makes the baptized an adopted child of God.

Every Catholic is baptized into a community of believers with whom they will share their lives and whose faith they will sustain. In this way, the baptism of one brings grace to the person baptized and to the community as a whole. As such, baptism ought to take place in the parish to which the person baptized will belong or – if the person baptized is a child – in the parish to which the child’s parents or guardians belong.

Baptism at St. James Catholic Church

If you are looking for Baptism for your newborn child, congratulations! We are happy that God has blessed your family with new life.

  • For purposes of baptism, an infant is a child under seven years of age. A key element of the Rite of Baptism is the parents’ promise to bring the child up in the Catholic faith. If the parents cannot make this promise, the baptism should be deferred. If the parents intend to bring the child up in the faith, they and the godparents must attend one of our regular Baptismal Preparation classes.

Infant Baptism

  • Those seven years of age or older are considered adults for purposes of baptism. As such, they should become part of the preparation for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (commonly referred to as RCIA). As well, children who do not already attend a Catholic school (either a parish school or a private Catholic school) should enroll in our parish Religious Education program before entering the RCIA program.
  • The St. James Religious Education Program is for children of ages 7 through high school. The St. James Religious Education Program requires a minimum of two years of attendance before receiving the sacraments. The goal of our Religious Education Program is to provide a personal meeting with Jesus Christ and His Church, alive and active in the lives of our children. To accomplish this purpose, it is vital to help the parents to be the first catechists of their children as they prepare to receive the sacraments of Confession, Communion, and Confirmation.

Adult Baptism

  • If you are interested in being baptized and are an adult or a child that is over the age of 7, then RCIA is the place for you! RCIA is a class that helps form you over a year for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Please see RCIA for more info
Becoming Catholic
  • Attendance at one baptismal class is required. These classes are generally held once a month. Please contact the respective person listed below to register for a class. Or provide a certificate proof of attending an approved class at a different Catholic parish.
  • Provide a photocopy of the child’s birth certificate.
  • If you belong to a parish other than St. James, you must provide a letter of permission from your local pastor to have your child baptized at our parishes.
  • Must be good examples and sources of support for both the child and the parents and be fully initiated members of the Catholic Church.
  • Must be confirmed and at least 16 years old.
  • Must either be living a chaste life as a single person or be married in a valid Catholic marriage.
  • Must be actively living their faith, attend Mass and confession regularly.
  • Only one Catholic godparent is required.

Does it make a difference who you choose to be your Children’s Godparents? YES!

People often want to ask their best friends or favorite relatives to act as Godparents for their children; they usually do this as a way of honoring someone. Of course, we all would like to honor those who are dear to us, but the Baptism of your child may not be the right time to do so.

Would you ask your best friend to perform heart surgery on your child? Of course not, unless he/she were a competent heart surgeon. So if the role of Godparents is to help the parents to raise the child in the good practice of the Catholic faith, then it stands to reason that you should ask someone who shows by their own knowledge and practice that they can help someone else follow in their footsteps.

Helping a child become a good Catholic Christian in an important undertaking; it is therefore, equally important to ask someone who regularly prays with the community at Sunday Mass and, who in other ways practices his/her faith and shows commitment to Christian values.

None of this is to suggest that your dear friends or relatives are not good people. They will surely be with you to help you in many other ways. But, a teacher of mathematics may not be a good teacher of English grammar and a good friend or close relative may not be the best model of Catholic Christian practice.

If you value your faith, you will choose the best teachers to help you pass that faith onto your children.

*Taken from Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Godparent (Sponsor) Agreement, September 2005

Please print and fill out the forms below. Once you’ve completely filled out the forms, stop by the office with correct documentation. In order to register a Baptism bring the record of Baptism form, the birth certificate of the child, and certificate of Confirmation if the Godparents are single or a Marriage certificate if the Godparents are married. Godparents must be married through the Catholic church.

Baptismal RegistrationGodparents (English)Godparents (Spanish)

Learn More

The first of the seven sacraments, and the “door” which gives access to the other sacraments. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the “sacraments of initiation” by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ.

Questions about Baptism?

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