Sacrament of Baptism

Baptism preparation classes now available by appointment. To schedule a class, please contact James Rankin by email - [email protected] - or call the Church office, 936-544-5338, and leave a message. 

The Sacrament of Baptism

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213

Dear Parents,

St Francis of the Tejas Catholic Church welcomes with great joy your family for the preparation and celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism of your child. By baptizing your child, you are deciding that your baby will be a Christian, a member of the Body of Christ, the Church. By baptizing your child, you put your dear one in God’s hands in this Sacrament, and commit your child to the loving care of Jesus Christ, God’s Son.
 
In asking to have your child baptized, you also are accepting the responsibility of training your child in the lifelong practice of the Catholic faith. Those you select as godparents are to be prepared to help you in your duty as Christian parents, and be a trustworthy witness and example of the faith for your child.
 
Before completing the Registration Form, please read carefully the guidelines for the Sacrament of Baptism for Infants (children under the age of 7).

1. To initiate the baptismal preparation process at St Francis of the Tejas, a parent must stop by the Church office to make-

1) An appointment for Parent and family with the priest or with the secretary.
2) Complete a Baptism Registration Form (see attached),
3) Pre-register both the parents and godparents for attendance at St Francis of the Tejas’ baptism preparation class.
 
2. Contact the church office at 936-544-5338 for information concerning classes. One or both parent must attend this one-on-one appointment. This appointment will provide parents an opportunity to turn in the Baptismal Registration Form and required documents and ask questions, and an opportunity to review the Church’s baptism formation program, qualifications for godparents, and required documents.
 
3. Baptism classes to be held as needed. Contact the church office at 936-544-5338 for arrangements. Both parents and godparents are required to attend and participate in the entire baptism class offered at St Francis of the Tejas. Parents and godparents may also provide written proof of attendance at a baptismal preparation program at another Catholic parish within the past three years.
 
4. We regret that childcare is not available. We ask that parents and godparents make alternative childcare arrangements if possible.

Parents:

Consent of at least one of the parents is required for a child to be baptized and there must be a “well founded hope that the child will be brought up in the catholic religion” (Code of Canon Law 868).

Godparents:

Godparents may not be the mother or father of the child.

Godparents must live lives of faith befitting the role of godparents.

If godparents are married to each other or to other spouses, the marriage(s) must be recognized by the Catholic Church as valid.
 
If the person selected as a godparent is not fully initiated into the Catholic Church, and/or is not in a Catholic marriage, he/she may be eligible to be a Christian Witness, but not a godparent.
 
Godparents must complete and sign the Baptism Sponsor Covenant Form (see attached).
 
Godparents must participate in a baptism class at St. Francis of the Tejas, or provide written proof of attendance at a baptismal preparation program at another Catholic parish within the last three years.
 
The Sacrament of Baptism will be scheduled after all requirements are fulfilled by the parent(s) and godparent(s). At St. Francis of the Tejas, infant baptisms are celebrated during our celebration of the Holy Masses on 5:30pm Saturday evening, and 8:30 am or the 11:30 Sunday Morning Masses.  Baptisms are not celebrated during Lent.
 
If there are any questions or concerns about baptismal preparation at St Francis of the Tejas, please call the Church office at (936) 544-5338 or bring them to the class.

We look forward to welcoming your child into the Catholic Church, and to you and your family’s commitment to this lifelong faith journey.
 
Sincerely,
Fr Selvaraj Sinnapan
Administrator

If you are interested in Baptismal Arrangements, please fill out the Baptismal Arrangements form and submit directly to the Church.