The Sacrament of Baptism

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the

name of the

Father and of the Son

and of the

Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”                              (Matthew 28:17-19)

We believe that the greatest gift, along with life itself, that a parent can give a child is the gift of Baptism where the child formally and permanently becomes a child of God and heir to eternal life. Further, the grace that comes to a person at Baptism continues throughout his/her entire life. Even if a   person fails or drifts from the Great Commandment of loving God and neighbor, the grace of Baptism is working to bring him/her back to the Christian life. An unbaptized person simply does not have the beautiful spiritual advantages that come with Baptism.

We read in Mark's Gospel, People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”   And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.                                     (Mark 10: 13-16)

     For those reasons, our Church never puts a fence between any person and the Sacrament of Baptism. Even if the parent(s) have not been coming to Church, our priests will welcome their child to the Sacrament of Baptism without placing any hardship or recriminations on the parents. We actually do not check a person’s church participation or contribution. The parent and the child are simply welcomed to the Sacrament of Baptism.

     At St. Thomas, baptisms are normally celebrated during Mass, but other arrangements can be made. 

    Christian initiation is the sacramental act by which the community welcomes others into its life. A major goal of our Church is to welcome all people to our celebration of the Sacraments and to be available to bring Jesus Christ and his saving grace to whomever asks at key moments of their lives, particularly for baptism, marriage, and funerals.

     Baptism class is held on the second Sunday of every month after the 10:00 am mass. Godparents are required to attend the same class.