‘I baptize you in the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit’
 

The Baptisms are celebrated as follows:

• Baptisms in English the second Saturday of the month,  9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

• Baptisms in Spanish the fourth Saturday of each month at 10 am.  

• Parents need to be registered/active members of our parish, participate in the class and return to the office all the required forms in order to schedule the baptism.

• For more information please contact Karen Fernandez-Valentine at [email protected]

• Para informacion de las clases para baptismo, comuniquese con la oficina parroquial.

What do I need to do to have my baby baptized?

Welcome! Your desire to have your child baptized into the Body of Christ reflects your commitment to live your life in a Catholic Christian way.  Corpus Christi Catholic Church looks forward to welcoming your baby as a new member of our spiritual family.

Since ancient times, the Church in preparing children to be baptized has asked parents to express their intention to raise them in the faith of the Catholic Church.  In accordance with these teachings, we at Corpus Christi Parish hope to share our baptismal journey with you into the Kingdom of God through the sacramental life of our parish.

The following information will help you understand the
Rite of Baptism, your commitment as parents and the important
role of the godparents passing the Catholic faith to your child.

Think about how you want to give your child the gift of Catholic faith by personal example. Read these questions and answer them honestly and prayerfully.

Am I fully engaged in my life of faith?

If not, spiritually re-engage with your life of faith.

Am I a registered member of Corpus Christi parish?

If not, stop by the parish office to officially register at Corpus Christi.

Do I attend Mass every Sunday?

If not, start coming to Mass every Sunday.

Am I in full communion with the Church’s teachings, especially with regard to being validly married in the Catholic Church?

If not, marriage preparation is available. Please contact the Parish Office at 813-988-1593 in the parish office for more information.

As a registered member, do I contribute with my time, talent and treasure to the mission of the Catholic Church here at Corpus Christi?

If not, call the parish office at 988-1593 for information about opportunities to volunteer and be part of your spiritual family.

Are my other children being trained in the Catholic Faith?

If not, enroll them in our faith formation Sunday classes or Catholic school.  For Faith Formation classes, contact Parish Office at 813-988-1593. For Corpus Christi School call the school office at 813-988-1722.

What happens during the Rite of Baptism?

Here is a brief summary of the most important parts of the Rite of Baptism.  Please read this along with your godparents.  It is important that everyone knows and understands their role during the Rite of Baptism.

• Sign of the Cross: The celebrant traces the sing of the Cross on the child’s forehead. Parents and godparents do the same. ‘In Baptism you are claimed for Christ.’
• Litany of Saints: the entire community is present.
• Renunciation of Sin & Profession of Faith: Parents, Catholic godparents and the assembly renew their baptismal promises by responding “I do” at the required times.
• Font and Baptismal water: Parents and godparents come to the font. Celebrant pours water over child’s head three times: “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
• Anointing with Chrism: the celebrant anoints child on the head with the sacred Chrism.
• White garment: the celebrant gives garment to godparent to put on infant.
• Baptism candle: godparent lights the candle ‘This light is the light of Christ’
• Prayer over ears and mouth: celebrant prays while touching child’s ears and mouth.

Who would be the best godparent for my child?

It is an ancient custom of the Catholic Church that at the Baptism of infants, there must be at least one Catholic godparent and not more than two, one of each gender, chosen to assist the parent in raising the child in the faith and to represent the expanded spiritual family of the child and the role of the Church as the mother.

Later, godparents help the parents so that children will profess the faith chosen for them and live up to it.  Their role is to ensure that the rich and beautiful faith of the Catholic Church is passed on to the child in the most loving and authentic way possible.

Corpus Christi Church’s guidelines for godparents correspond to the Universal Law of the Church. See Canon 874 and Canon 893 of the Code of Canon Law.

A godparent is a person who fulfills the following requirements:

• Each child to be baptized may have one Catholic godfather and one Catholic godmother or one Catholic  godparent and one Christian witness.
• The father or mother of the one to be baptized cannot be the godparent.
• The godparent is a member of the Catholic Church in full communion with all the Church teachings.
• The godparent has received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion
• The godparent lives an exemplary Catholic life by attending Mass weekly, receiving Holy Communion and receiving the sacrament of Penance at least once a year.
• Those Catholics who are married outside the Catholic Church or who are living with someone outside marriage may not be godparents at this time.

Check list for baptizing an infant up to 6 years of age

• Plan to take the one time baptismal class at least one month before the date you would like to have the baptism take place. This will help you to really see what is involved in raising your child in the faith; to organize all the paperwork needed and to understand the ceremony.

• Remember, you need to be a registered member of our parish.  If you are not registered, register in the parish office or download a parish registration form and return it to the parish office when you come to Mass. 

• Expectant parents: take the class before the baby is born!

• Choose eligible Catholic godparents according to the guidelines listed above. Invite them to the class if they are members of our parish.

• After taking the class, prepare and bring the following paperwork to the parish office. All required documents must be received by the Director of Religious Education and  Sacramental Preparation before a baptism can be scheduled
  • Information for Baptism Register – yellow form
  • Copy of child’s Birth Certificate
  • Godparents’ letters of sponsorship and permission letter from the Catholic priest where they go to Church.
  • Donation envelope

• If the godparents are not registered members at Corpus Christi parish, they must arrange to have a certificate of membership and permission letter sent from their Catholic parish to our office as soon as possible. This letter can be sent by fax to the Parish Office at 813-985-3583.

• All infant Baptisms are scheduled through the Parish Office.