Baptism
By Baptism we become members of the Church, the Body of Christ.
From Sacred Scripture: Matthew 3:16-17
And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and behold, a voice came from the heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition
From the Rite of Baptism for Children
From the earliest times, the Church, to which the mission of preaching the gospel and of baptizing was entrusted, has baptized children as well as adults. Our Lord said: "Unless a man is reborn in water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." The Church has always understood these words to mean that children should not be deprived of baptism, because they are baptized in the faith of the Church. This faith is proclaimed for them by their parents and godparents, who represent both the local Church and the whole society of saints and believers: "The Church is at once the mother of all and the the mother of each.
Introduction, Baptism for Children, Section 2, The Rites of the Catholic Church as Revised by the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council
From the Rite of Baptism for Children
From the earliest times, the Church, to which the mission of preaching the gospel and of baptizing was entrusted, has baptized children as well as adults. Our Lord said: "Unless a man is reborn in water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." The Church has always understood these words to mean that children should not be deprived of baptism, because they are baptized in the faith of the Church. This faith is proclaimed for them by their parents and godparents, who represent both the local Church and the whole society of saints and believers: "The Church is at once the mother of all and the the mother of each."
Introduction, Baptism for Children, Section 2, The Rites of the Catholic Church as Revised by the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council
Baptism at Saint Luke Catholic Church
Baptisms for infants and young children are celebrated throughout the year (except during the season of Lent) on Sundays at 12:15 p.m. Children who are six years of age or older must follow a program of formation and rituals similar to that used for the Christian Initiation of Adults, ordinarily lasting about one year.
Parents are required to participate in a Parents' Pre-Baptismal Preparation session. These are generally held on the third Sunday of January, March, May, July, September, and November. Please contact the parish office to sign up for a class prior to attending.
Godparents are required to submit a sponsor certificate from the parish they attend at, no later than 10 days before the upcoming Baptism. Sponsor certificates attest that the Godparent is a confirmed practicing Catholic, at least 16 years of age, in good standing. Sponsor certificates can be mailed to the parish office or emailed to Officeadmin@stlukewestport.org.
Contact the Parish Office by calling (203) 227-7245 for more details.