Baptism

Enfant Baptism
For families preparing for Baptism of their baby, two preparatory classes are required.

The first two-hour session is scheduled on a Thursday evening at 6:30 and the second is the Saturday before the baptism. 

Included are discussions of what it means to live the faith we profess, how we raise our children in the faith, what faith in Jesus means for us today, the mystery and meaning of the sacrament, how we celebrate the sacrament and what its symbols mean. 

The date for the celebration of baptism—held during a weekend Liturgy on the second Sunday of the month—can be set after the first preparatory class meeting.

There is time for sharing with other parents, and a time to walk through the Rite before the date of baptism. 
For more information or to register for the class please contact:

Margaret Roncalli at [email protected]   |   +1.510-550-4058

7+ Y.O. Baptism
For young people over the age of seven who have not been baptized the preparation process is different
from preparation for infant baptism.

It is longer, similar to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Because the children are old enough to be catechized, the process involves both the parents and the young person.

The meetings, like for those preparing for first Eucharist or first Reconciliation, are held two Sundays
a month, and include a parents gathering. These take place Sunday mornings from September through June. 

The young person’s preparation includes the weekly participation in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. 
There are also several one day retreats for the young person, godparent and parents included as part of
the preparation.

The celebration of baptism for a young person over the age of seven normally takes place at the Easter Vigil along with the adults who have been preparing for initiation. The sacraments celebrated include Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, just like the adults seeking initiation.

(Although the sacraments are celebrated at Easter, the preparation period continues after the Easter celebration. And the preparation may be a one- to two-year process.)