Infant Baptism at the Church of the Assumption
We strive to assist parents in their obligation to ensure that “infants are baptized in the first few weeks”, according to the law of the Church (Code of Canon Law, 867). Due to the happy fact that Assumption Parish is blessed with so many large families we are not able to schedule individual baptisms.
Baptisms according to the traditional Latin Rite are celebrated on a fixed monthly schedule on the second weekend of each month at 1:00 PM. Baptisms in the New Rite are scheduled on a case-by-case basis. Out of fairness to all, requests for special times & dates are not allowed.
Baptisms are as a rule to be celebrated at the parish church of the person to be baptized, or their parents. (Code of Canon Law, 857 §2) Absent any extraordinary circumstances, the only people who can be baptized at the Church of the Assumptions are those families wishing to have the traditional Latin form of Baptism and those families who live within our parish boundaries.
To schedule your child’s baptism, contact Mrs. Laura Cooper. First time parents are required to meet with Fr. Price prior to the baptism. Before any baptism may occur, a Data for Baptismal Register Form must be submitted to the parish office. Mrs. Cooper will assist you with the necessary paperwork and help arrange a meeting with Fr Price for first time parents.
Baptism may only be requested by the parents or guardians of the child. Requests from others (ie, relatives and friends) will be referred to the parents. At least one parent of the child must be a practicing Catholic who agrees to raise the child in the faith.
Ordinarily there should be two godparents, one man and one woman, though they need not be a married couple. In extraordinary situations a single godparent suffices (Code of Canon Law, 87). Godparents must be practicing Catholics, at least 16 years of age, baptized and confirmed, have received First Holy Communion, and not under any canonical penalties (Code of Canon Law, 874). The parents of a child may not be that child’s godparents. If a chosen godparent cannot be physically present at the baptism, they may be godparents by proxy.
Visiting clergy may celebrate baptisms with permission of the pastor. While donations are gratefully received, stipends are not obligatory and there is no set amount. However, if baptism is celebrated by a visiting priest or deacon a stipend should be offered to him – many clergy (especially retired priests) rely on stipends as an important means of income.