The Sacrament of Baptism

First-time expectant parents and parents of born children who are unbaptized must take the Baptism Preparation class. Classes are typically the first Wednesday of each month at 6pm. Baptism classes are now delivered via Zoom! Register at tinyurl.com/stjoebaptism and select the most convenient upcoming class. Baptisms are then scheduled for the 4th Sunday of each month. Prior registration at the parish and regular Sunday Mass attendance are essential prerequisites to the class.

Baptism is the first Sacrament of Initiation and the gateway to all other Sacraments. The Catholic Church insists on children being baptized within a few weeks of birth (Can.  867 §1), however the parents should take care to first be properly prepared by the parish to understand the responsibilities promised at the baptismal ceremony. A pastor may not baptize a child who will not be raised in the Catholic faith or whose parents may lose their faith shortly after the baptism. For those reasons, the Church may delay baptism for a time, until a well-founded hope that the child will be raised Catholic can be established.