St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church 4013 Alcott Circle Orlando, Florida 32828 407-482-4282 phone 407-482-4484 fax www.avaloncatholic.org Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God. We become members of Christ and are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission. “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word”(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213). The practice of infant baptism is an immemorial tradition of the Church. There is explicit testimony to this practice from the second century on, and it is quite possible that, from the beginning of the apostolic preaching, when whole “households” received baptism (Acts 16:15, 33), infants may also have been baptized (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1252). Infant Baptism Requirements • Infant Baptism corresponds to those who have not yet reached the age of discretion and therefore cannot have or profess personal faith. One who is incapable of personal responsibility is to be regarded as an infant (Canon 852). According to Diocesan Guidelines the age of discretion is ordinarily seven years old. • The Church considers the parent/legal guardian to be the primary agent in bringing the child/children for baptism. • Children born to single parents or to those not married in the Catholic Church enjoy the same access to baptism as any other children. • If the child is old enough to be catechized (over the age of seven) he/she should be accepted into the Order of Catechumens and be prepared for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. • Parents should normally seek baptism for their children in the home parish in which they are practicing members or in which they are registered. If, for good pastoral reasons, Baptism and/or catechesis for Baptism takes place outside of the parish in which the parents are registered, written notification from the home parish, of the intent and pastoral reasons for such actions should be provided to the pastor before the Baptism takes place. Parents’ Responsibility • For your child/children to be baptized at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, complete all requirements at least two weeks prior to the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism.

• Register and become active parishioners of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church. Concerns about the parents being sacramentally married in the Church will be treated on an individual basis. • Complete the St. Maximilian Kolbe Baptismal Preparation Form. Click here to download the Baptismal Preparation Form. And return to Parish Office • If you are from another parish, turn in written permission from the parish where you are registered. • Provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate. • If unable to attend the parish workshop you may attend a workshop offered by another parish. A letter confirming attendance must be presented. • Make sure that the godparents/sponsors have provided a letter that they are fully initiated, practicing Catholics over the age of sixteen.. Members of other Christian denominations do not need this letter. Sponsor/Godparent Responsibility • • • • • •

Godparents must be fully initiated and practicing Catholics. Godparents are to be over the age of sixteen. There may be either one or two godparents. If there are two godparents, there is one from each gender. If there is only one godparent, it may be from either gender. Members of other Christian churches may not be godparents but may serve as Christian witnesses as long as there is also one eligible godparent. • Godparents are to provide a letter from their parish stating that they are fully initiated, practicing Catholics over the age of sixteen. “Fully initiated” means they have completed all Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist). The letter must be received at least two weeks before the baptism. Pastor Responsibility • The Pastor has the responsibility to ascertain, to the best of his ability, the faith of the parents, their living expression of the faith and their serious intention to raise the child as a Roman Catholic. • If there is a real question as to the intent of the parents, the baptism should be delayed until further pastoral approaches can remedy the situation. • Under no circumstances should the priest/pastor simply refuse to baptize the child because the faith of the parents is less than ideal. Baptism Preparation Team Responsibility • The Baptismal Preparation Team offers the Baptism Preparation Workshop and prepares parents/legal guardians and godparents for the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism of the child.

• They report directly to the pastor and will be responsible for informing him that participants are ready for the celebration of the sacrament. • Baptismal Preparation classes will be offered from 7:30 pm until 9:30 pm on the following dates: March 24th April 21st May 19th June 16th Snacks and drinks will be provided. Please contact Cassie and Kevin Quigley at (407) 737-3866 for directions to the class at least 1 week prior to class so that we can prepare materials and space. • Two years after the baptism, the parents will be invited to a follow-up workshop. “Infant baptism has become the form in which this sacrament is usually celebrated. It has become a single act encapsulating the preparatory stages of Christian initiation in a very abridged way. By its very nature infant Baptism requires post-baptismal catechumenate. Not only is there a need for instruction after Baptism, but also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1231) Celebration of Baptism • Celebration of Baptism is during designated weekend Masses. • Scheduling of the Baptismal date can take place upon completion of the Baptismal Preparation Workshop. • Up to three children can be baptized at one Mass. • Arrive at least fifteen minutes before the designated Mass to take photos and to get enough seating for the baptismal party. “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold. I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Father David Scotchie Parochial Administrator Prepared February 2008

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