Adults who, after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely intend to be baptized and to enter into full communion with the Church are admitted to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
Children who have reached catechetical age and who wish to be baptized and be fully initiated into the community of the faithful are also prepared, according to their ability and are admitted into the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children.
Infants are baptized at the request of the parent(s) who desire to form a “household” of faith. Parent(s) of the infant and those who accept the responsibility of godparents are to be instructed in the meaning of the Sacrament of Baptism and the obligations which are connected with it.
Godparents
In choosing Godparents for your child, you need to choose fully initiated members of the Catholic Church who are at least 16 years of age. A fully initiated person is someone who has received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation and who continues to witness to that faith in the great and small ways of everyday living. You want someone who knows that being a Catholic has to do with prayer, with justice toward the poor, with kindness for friends and strangers and being an active member of a faith community. Parents may not serve in this role.
Although, traditionally, parents have chosen a godmother and a godfather for their child, only one godparent is required for baptism. It is also possible to invite a person baptized in another Christian tradition to be a witness at the child’s baptism, along with the Catholic godparent.
Contact Person:
Jodie Hickey: 671-2100 x21 or via email: Jodie.hickey@dor.org