Baptism

Begin scheduling your child's Baptism by filling out the registration form. We need the form prior to scheduling.

REGISTRE A SU NIÑO/A PARA SER BAUTIZADO/A - ESPAÑOL

“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. The rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water, or pouring water on the head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 977, 1213,1275, 1278).

Through water, God can confer grace and mercy onto His most beloved creation. The Sacraments of Christian Initiation are the privileged path toward our Creator, and the Catholic Church is the steward of these great gifts. Through the Rite of Baptism, we are freed from original sin and born anew in the Spirit as children of the one, true God.
The Greek word baptizein means “to plunge” or “to immerse.” The Rite of Baptism, therefore, does something to the one being baptized; it is efficacious. Baptism immerses the body and soul of the one being baptized into water, and the person rises a new creature - more beautiful and perfect than before. Christians are buried with Christ so that we may rise again to new life with Him. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 5:3-4).

But faith needs a community of committed believers. Baptism plants the seed of faith, but it must be nourished by learned followers. This is why Saint Mary of the Lake is committed to not only sharing the gift of Baptism with its parishioners, but also developing a deeper and more informed faith with all those who wish to have their child baptized. In that light, parents who desire Baptism for their child must be parishioners at Saint Mary of the Lake, attend Mass at Saint Mary’s every Sunday (or Saturday at 4:30), and attend a mandatory baptismal preparation class. We are a family, and family requires commitment, attention, and mutual care. These requirements will be explained more in depth during the class.

Dates and times of the classes:
Because of COVID19 all Baptismal Classes will be held via ZOOM. At least one parent and Godparent must attend the class, but ideally both parents and Godparents should attend. God parents should attend even if they will not be physically present the day of the Baptism.

Classes in English will be held:
Wednesday, December 2nd at 7pm
Sunday, December 6th at 2pm

Las clases de Bautismo en Español serán a través de Zoom:
Domingo, 29 de Noviembre a las 2pm
Miércoles, 9 de Diciembre a las 7pm
Domingo, 20 de Diciembre a las 2pm

The Celebration of Baptism
Baptisms in English will only take place in two formats: either at 2pm on the Second Sunday of the month in the context of a Liturgy of the Word or During Mass on the First Sunday of each month (10:30 am on Sunday - 1 CHILD MAX per mass).
El Bautismo se celebrará dentro de la Misa de 12pm el primer y tercer domingo del mes ( 1 niño solamente).

Baptism requests will be confirmed upon submission of the following requirements:

The birth certificate of the individual being baptized.
Parents attendance at a Baptismal Prep Class. Godparents are required to attend. If the God parents are members of a different parish outside of Chicago; they need to attend their local parish’s Baptism classes and provide a letter from their Pastor authorizing them to serve as Godparents. Only 1 Godparent is needed, but 2 is acceptable.

Instructor: Mr. Juan Miguel Alvarez

Juan Miguel Alvarez is a current Master of Divinity student at the University of Notre Dame, where he received his B.A. in Theology in 2014. He has previously taught theology and led the Hispanic Ministry Collaborative at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, and served as the Director of Faith Formation at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. His years in Catholic ministry and education in the Archdiocese of Chicago have seen him lead numerous retreats, workshops, and classes, give keynote addresses, design and deliver original catechesis programs at every age level, lead international service trips, and serve in a variety of youth ministry roles.

Contact:
mcarravallah@saintmarys.org