Infant Baptism
Contact Karen Lastufka, Director of Infant Baptism 678-584-9947 x 110.
Both parents are required to attend the Baptismal Preparation Class held on the 4th Sunday of the month from 12:30-2:30pm.
Please complete the Baptismal Prep Class Registration, (link to the right.)
Please Note: The 4th Sunday of the month in December is Christmas Weekend therefore class is not held in December. Class is also cancelled when the 4th Sunday falls on Easter Sunday. Parents must be active & practicing members of the parish in order to schedule the Baptism date.
Baptism for children who have not yet reached the age of seven (7).
The sacrament of baptism ushers us into the divine life, cleanses us from sin, and initiates us as members of the Christian community. It is the foundation for the sacramental life.
At baptism, the presider prays over the water:
Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give to this water the grace of your Son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit.
(Christian Initiation of Adults, #222A)
Freed from Sin
Baptism frees us from the bondage of original and actual sin. Water is poured in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Today, the sacrament of baptism is often performed on infants, shortly after birth. Adult baptisms take place at the Easter Vigil through the restored Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Adults or children who have been baptized in a valid Christian church are not baptized again in the Catholic church. As we say in the Nicene Creed, “I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins…”
The Catechism teaches:
“The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ” (CCC 1279).
Baptismal Symbols
- Water – The waters of baptism recall Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Water is a symbol of cleansing and renewal as we begin a new life in Christ. We are washed clean of sin.
- Oil – At baptism we are anointed into the life of Christ as “priest, prophet and king.” A cross is traced on the candidate’s forehead as a reminder that we are inheritors of the Kingdom of God.
- Light – The baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal or Easter candle that stands in the church as a sign of Christ’s light in the world. At baptism, we receive the light of Christ and are called forth to share this light with the world.
- White garment – The white garment that is placed upon us at baptism is a symbol of Christ’s victory over death and his glorious resurrection. Likewise, the white garment or pall that is placed over the coffin at the time of death recalls our baptismal promises and reminds us that we are destined for eternal life.
While in ordinary circumstances, sacraments in the Catholic Church are administered validly by a member of the ordained clergy, in an emergency situation(danger of death), the sacrament of baptism can be administered by anyone. (In order for the Baptism to be recorded, you must contact the Catholic Church in the area and speak with the Pastor who will work with you on completing the Rite of Baptism so it can be recorded in the Sacramental register.)
In case of necessity (i.e, Danger of death), any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pours water on the candidates head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 1284).
Parents with children age 7 and older and for adults wishing to be Baptized, please contact Patrick Klein at 678-584-997 x 112. (See additional information on our website under “Newcomers” then click on “Becoming Catholic”.)
Contact Karen Lastufka Director of Infant Baptism, 678-584-9947 X110 to register for the class. There are no classes held in December as the 4th week falls during the week of Christmas.
You must have completed the Baptismal Prep Class in order to register for the Baptism.
For registered, active and practicing members of Saint Monica’s only.
Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. (John 3:5)