Becoming a Child of God

Gateway to the Christian Life

Baptism is the first and foundational sacrament of the Christian life—the gateway to all the other sacraments and the beginning of our journey with Christ. Through baptism, we are cleansed of original sin, reborn as children of God, and incorporated into the Body of Christ, the Church. It marks us with an indelible spiritual seal and unites us to the death and resurrection of Jesus, making us sharers in His divine life. As Scripture affirms, *“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved”* (Mark 16:16). In this sacred moment, grace is poured into the soul, and the baptized become a new creation, called to live in the light of Christ and grow in holiness. Click the button below to watch a video describing the profound significance of Baptism.

Baptism of Infants

Why We Baptize Infants & Registration

The Catholic Church baptizes infants because baptism is a gift of God’s grace, not something earned by age or understanding. Just as parents provide physical life and nourishment, they also desire to give their children the spiritual life of Christ through the sacrament. From the earliest days of the Church, entire households were baptized (cf. Acts 16:15), reflecting the belief that even the youngest are called to be part of God's family. Infant baptism washes away original sin, imparts sanctifying grace, and marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith nurtured within the Church.

If you are interested in having your child baptized at St. Mary's, please click the link below to register and begin the process of bringing your child into the Church!

Baptismal Preparation

Welcome to the Church!

The age of the person seeking baptism will determine what kind of preparation they will receive at St. Mary's. Adults who wish to be baptized have the opportunity to be formed through our OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) program. Children above the age of 6 will have the opportunity to be formed through our children's preparation for Christian Initiation. Finally, the parents of infants who will be baptized have the opportunity to take our baptism class for parents/guardians at St. Mary's to help them better understand the profound and wonderful responsibility of raising a child in the Catholic faith.

Please follow the buttons below to learn more about your specific situation.