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)

The sacrament of Baptism is the foundation of, and the initial step into, the Christian life. It is the first of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Along with the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, it makes up the sacraments of Christian Initiation.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the word baptism comes from the Greek baptizein, which means to "plunge" or "immerse" into water. Through the sacrament of Baptism we are freed from original sin, reborn as a child of God, become members of Christ, and are incorporated into the family of the Catholic Church. ( CCC 1213)

Baptism of Infants

Infant baptism (up to and including 6 years of age) is generally celebrated on the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month except during Lent and the weekend following Christmas when no baptisms are held. Some baptisms occur during a regularly scheduled Mass and others occur without a Mass. You can receive information and a schedule of upcoming infant baptism dates and times at our Baptism Preparation Class or you can call Darcy at (916) 624-5827 ext. 211 or email darcy.wharton@rocklincatholic.org.

Due to the size of our parish, and the importance of celebrating as a faith community, we do not offer private infant baptisms. Your child may be baptized with several other children.

Special Note: If you are having your child or godchild baptized at another parish, you are still welcomed to attend our class. At the class, you will be provided with written verification that you have attended, which you can then present to the church where the baptism will take place.
We do not charge a fee for our baptism class.

For more information on baptizing children at our parish, please download the document "Baptism Information" in the documents section to the left of this column.

Baptism of Older Children and Adults

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) offers classes for adults and children aged 7 or older into full communion with the Catholic Church through the receipt of the sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist).

To learn more about receiving the sacrament of Baptism as an adult or child of catechetical age, visit the RCIA page.

Godparents

The role of a godparent is to help you in raising your child in the Catholic faith as representatives of the faith community. We encourage you to choose godparents who will take their role seriously. Your child may have no more than two legal godparents. (Any others should be considered honorary godparents and they will not be a formal part of the ceremony or listed on the baptismal certificate). If there are two godparents, then one must be male and the other female. Godparents must be at least 16 years of age and at least one of the godparents must be a confirmed Catholic. If a child is being baptized at our parish, at least one godparent will need to have attended a baptism preparation class within the last three years.  They can attend the one we offer at SS. Peter & Paul or at a parish of their choice. (Written verification of class attendance will need to be turned in with the other baptism paperwork.) One godparent will also need to have a "Certificate of Godparent Eligibility" form completed by the parish at which the Godparent is registered.  This form indicates to us that the godparent chosen is actively living out his or her faith.

Special Note:  If you have been asked to be a godparent of a child being baptized at another parish, you are welcomed to attend our class.  At the class, we will provide written verification that you have attended. We do not charge a fee for our baptism class.

Baptism Preparation Class

Both parents and at least one godparent must attend a Baptism Preparation Class prior to a child's baptism. If the baptism is occurring at our parish, parents are required to have attended the class within the last 3 years and provide written verification.  Godparents must also have attended a class within the last 3 years and provide written verification of their attendance.  (If you believe that you have attended a class within the last 3 years at SS. Peter & Paul, please call Darcy at (916) 624-5827 ext. 211 or email darcy.wharton@rocklincatholic.org  to confirm that the requirement has been fulfilled.)  

Our baptism preparation classes are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM ONLINE via Zoom for both parents and godparents.  RSVPs are required.  Current and upcoming classes appear in the Calendar.  If a godparent is not able to attend at SS. Peter & Paul, they may arrange to attend a similar preparation class at a parish of their choice and provide verification of attendance. They will also need to provide a completed "Certificate of Godparent Eligibility" form.  To register for an upcoming class, Contact Us or submit the following.