Baptism

"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."
Matthew 28:19

Baptism
We welcome you with great joy!

Seeking Baptism for your Child?
Please call or email the parish office for more information.
319-624-2228 | [email protected]

Parents who baptize their children at St. Mary are required to take part in a baptism preparation class offered 4 times throughout the year. The class must be completed prior to the baptism and can be taken while still expecting or after the baby is born.
Please see below to register for an upcoming baptismal class.
-----------------------------------
Baptisms are scheduled through the parish office at least 4 weeks prior to the requested date, as to confirm availability and pastor approval. The baptism request paperwork may be submitted either before or after the baptismal class has been completed.
(Baptismal class must be completed prior to the baptism).
*Please note- baptisms do not take place during the season of Lent, except for extraordinary circumstances.*

REGISTER FOR BAPTISMAL PREPARATION CLASS

* Indicates required field

Mother's Name *

First

Last

Father's Name *

First

Last

Phone Number *

Email *

Address *

Line 1

Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Country

*Baptismal Prep Classes are for registered members of St. Mary. Are you a registered member of St. Mary? *

Yes, we are registered members of St. Mary No, we are new to St. Mary and would like to register as members.

Due Date or Birthdate of Child to be Baptized *

Select the session you would like to attend. (Only need to attend one session.) *

Sun June 1, 2025 | 1pm - 3:30pm Sun September 7, 2025 | 1pm - 3:30pm Sun December 7, 2025 | 1pm - 3:30pm Sun Mar 1, 2026 | 1pm - 3:30pm

Please note, childcare is not provided.

Submit

Adults Seeking Baptism

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. Charles Fladung at fladungc@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

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.

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

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.

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