Baptism
​We welcome you with great joy!

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
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The Sacrament of Baptism

The triple immersion in the baptismal water signifies the death of sin and entry into the newness of life through Christ's death and resurrection. The oil signifies anointing by the Holy Spirit and receiving of the Holy Spirit's gifts. The Holy Spirit helps us to imitate Jesus' self-sacrificial love and allows us to share in the work of the Holy Spirit in the world. ​
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​Our Lord Himself stressed the importance of baptism, commissioning his disciples to go out to all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,the Son and the Holy Spirit (Mt. 28:19). The least understood aspect of this baptism is probably the nature of baptismal grace, and what it accomplishes. The  Catechism contains a clear and well-organized treatment of this very question.

1. The Catechism on the Grace of Baptism 
2. Instruction on Infant Baptism 
3.  Salvation for Infants Who Die without Being Baptized 
4. The Sacrament of Baptism.

www.catholicculture.org

Infant & Children Baptism

Families having a child baptized at St. Mary's for the first time are asked to attend all 3 Sessions of our Baptism Classes.  

Please register by the Friday prior to class  by calling or emailing the Parish Office:   624-2228 solonstmary@diodav.org

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Baptism Classes
Our baptism classes incorporate small group discussions with mentor couples as well as large group discussions. Sessions 1 & 2  utilize the video Reborn and Session 3 covers the book "Parenting on Purpose".

2018 Dates

Winter 
January 9, January 23, & February 6
Spring
April 8, 22 and May 6
Summer
 July 8, 22 and August 5
Fall 
​October 7, 21 and November 4 

Classes are from 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Please register the Friday before the first session:
Parish Office 624-2228
 

Baptism for Older Children, Teens & Adults

For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship, whether one is baptized as an infant, child, or adult.

​ Each year, the church welcomes all ages into the church through the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.
For Children 2nd grade and older
Parents should contact the parish if they (or their teen) want their children to join the Catholic Church. There must be a founded hope that the child will be raised Catholic.

The expectation is that the child and his or her parent(s) will attend Mass on a weekly basis and seek to grow in the practice of the faith. The child is also expected to participate in faith formation classes. In addition, parents and children will attend  sessions together throughout the year.
For Adults
If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith with the possibility of becoming a member, please read more about becoming Catholic and contact Fr. Tim Sheedy at sheedyt@diodav.org 
"These children are a link in the chain. 
You, parents, have a baby boy or a baby girl to be baptized, but in a few years, they will be the ones who will have a child or a grandchild to be baptized. So is the chain of faith! What does this mean? I would like to say only this to you: you are the ones who transmit the faith,the transmitters. You have the duty to transmit the faith to these children. The faith is the most beautiful inheritance you will leave them! Only this. Take this thought home with you today. We must be transmitters of the faith. Think of this, think always how to transmit the faith to the children." 
 Pope Francis

More on the Sacrament of Baptism

In his dialogue with Nicodemus, Jesus taught that Baptism was necessary for salvation. "No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit" (Jn 3:5). After His Resurrection, Jesus met with the eleven Apostles and gave them the commission to preach the Gospel and baptize, telling them, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mk 16:16). 

The word baptism in its origins is Greek and means "immersion" and "bath." Immersion in water is a sign of death and emersion out of the water means new life. To bathe in water is also to undergo cleansing. Saint Paul sums up this truth when he says, "You were buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the power of God who raised Him from
the dead." (Col 2:12)
The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus. Before starting His public ministry, Jesus submitted Himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist. The waters did not purify Him; He cleansed the waters. "He comes to sanctify the Jordan for our sake . . . to begin a new creation through the Spirit and water" (St. Gregory Nazianzen, Liturgy of the Hours, I, 634). 

Jesus' immersion in the water is a sign for all human beings of the need to die to themselves to do God's will. Jesus did not need to be baptized because He was totally faithful to the will of His Father and free from sin. However, He wanted to show His solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding His disciples to baptize all nations, He established the means by which people would die to sin—Original and actual—and begin to live a new life with God.  From the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
BAPTISM FAQ

Newsletter Articles:
"Lenten  Customs: Baptism Is the Key" RevLawrence E. Mick

 "Baptism's  Biblical Roots"
by Carolyn Thomas, S.C.N. 

"The Sacrament  of Baptism: Celebrating the Embrace of
God" Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M

"John the  Baptist: Preparing the Way" Jerome O'Conno

"Baptism: First But
Forever"Timothy J. Cronin

 Update Your Faith:
What  happens when we are baptized?

 Does  Baptism last a lifetime?

 Why are  there no Baptisms during Lent?

 Is a  saint's name required for Baptism?