An extensive account of the teaching of the Catholic Church on the Sacrament of Baptism is given in the Cathechism of the Catholic Church, 1213-1284

 

1) Children are baptized based upon the faith of their parents which places the responsibility upon the parents for bringing the child up in the Catholic faith.  The mothers and fathers of children to be baptized are the primary religious educators of their children. Children learn to trust and love God, to love others, to do good and avoid evil from their parents.  Parents should pray with their children in their home so that prayer becomes a natural part of home life and a daily routine.

2) Parents of children to be baptized are expected to be committed to the formal religious education of their children.  Through our Religious Education Program, children learn about the beliefs of the Church and are prepared for the reception of the Sacraments.

3) Parents who find their faith lacking or who do not regularly participate in the Eucharistic Celebration of their parish should seriously consider whether Baptism should be delayed until they are ready to accept the responsibility of raising their child in the Church.  In these cases, the parish priest and/or deacon may be able to guide them through instruction and prayer to a deeper faith commitment and understanding of what the faith involves.

 

THE PAPERWORK

4) Parents who wish to have their children baptized must be registered members of Saint Ann Catholic Church.  They are expected to be practicing members of the faith by weekly attendance at the Saturday evening or Sunday liturgy and attending on Holy Days of Obligation.  Parents are encouraged to participate in the Parish activities and be dedicated to fulfilling a Catholic life style.

  • A) If the parents are not registered members of Saint Ann Catholic Church, but the parents have a family member who is a member of Saint Ann, the baptism may be possible at Saint Ann.  In this case, written permission from the pastor of the parent's home parish and his indication that they are active members of the parish is required before the baptism would be possible.

OR

  • B) In cases of extreme circumstance one of Saint Ann Parish clergy may grant permission that someone be baptized with no affiliation to Saint Ann Catholic Church.  In this case, written permission from the pastor of the parent's home parish and his indication that they are active members of the parish may also be required.

5)     If this is the couple's first child, they must attend a Baptism class.

Baptism classes take place on the second Sunday of the month at 12:30pm.

To make arrangements for the class please call the Parish Office at 570.322.5935

Note: A class can be attended elsewhere but must have a letter from that parish with the parish seal.

6)    One of the Godparents must be Catholic - if the Catholic Godparent is a registered member of Saint Ann nothing else is needed.  If the Catholic Godparent is a member of a Catholic Church other then Saint Ann a letter from their home Parish stating they are worthy to be sponsors is required.

7)   If possible, baptism takes place on Sunday, the day on which the Church celebrates the paschal mystery of Jesus. It should be conferred in a communal celebration in the presence of the faithful, or at least of relatives, friends, and neighbors, who all take an active part in the rite.

8)     A baptismal registration form must be completed prior to the baptism. This can be accomplished by visiting the office or over the phone.

 

THE GODPARENTS

9) Parents should give serious consideration to prospective godparents.  Although family pressures often exist, godparents should be chosen primarily for their faith commitment.  Their responsibility is joining with the parents and supporting the baptized person in their lifelong Christian commitment.  Since the godparents are representatives of the larger Christian Community into which the child is to be baptized, they should be Catholic.  For pastoral reasons, however, one godparent may be a practicing Christian of another denomination.

10) Godparents outside of the parish must obtain a written notification from the parish in which they are registered indicating that they are in good standing with the Church.