Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door, which gives access to the other sacraments.

Through Baptism we are freed from original sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church.
Classes are held for parents and godparents.

Requirements for parents:
Parents who wish to have their child baptized are required to:
Canon Law requires that at least one parent, consent, also that there be a well-founded hope that the child will be brought up in the Catholic faith. 
After your interview, you must attend the Baptism class which we offer here at OMPH. Parents may attend a class at another parish - but a certificate must be provided to OMPH that the class was completed in another parish.
Please note that the parent information that will be listed for the Baptism will be taken from the child's Birth Certificate. 
Requirements for Godparents
Godparents must fulfill the following criteria:
  a) be properly designated by the parent or person who takes that place. 
  b) be at least 16 years old;
  c) be a Catholic who has received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation and be living a life of faith, for example, a person who regularly participates in the Eucharist;
  d) be a person who has no canonical penalties, for example, persons who are in marriages or relationships not recognized by the Church (a cohabiting couple or a couple who is civilly married) may not be qualified to be godparents;
  e) not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.
Only one godparent is needed. However, it is customary to have two godparents. If two godparents are chosen, one must be male and one female.
Godparents are strongly encouraged to attend a baptism class which may benefit them as a faith growth experience and assist them in understanding and fulfilling their roles as godparents. However, godparents are not required to attend a baptism class.
OMPH BAPTISM PROCESS: 
The Baptism Coordinators and Baptism Companions (members of OMPH parish) guide the parents through a three step process. Parents contact the Baptism Coordinator to schedule the Sacrament of Baptism for their child at a Mass during the 1st or 3rd weekends of the month.
(1) The parents receive a visit from a Baptism Companion. The visit serves these purposes: 

• To have a contact person for the parents 
• To register the child's Baptism in the parish records
• To become a prayer partner towards a successful sacramental experience

(2) A gathering session is planned when the priest explains the Sacrament of Baptism and the child receives the first anointing. 
(3) The Sacrament of Baptism is completed during the Celebration of Mass where it is winessed by the congregation and the child is welcomed as a new member of the OMPH family. 

Deacon Jim Lawson
717-799-0080