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Welcome to St. Nicholas Baptism Program
Welcome! We welcome your family on this joyous occasion of the celebration of your child’s/godchild’s baptism! We look forward to assisting your family in preparing for the baptism of your child. The baptism preparation is designed to provide the formation and information needed to fully understand the Sacrament of Baptism and your role as a Catholic parent/godparent and to provide you with some basic information about the preparation process and requirements. It will outline the parish’s approach to infant baptism. The first consideration is also the most important: making the decision to baptize your child and what this decision means to you.
May the Lord continue to bless your lives with love and the assurance that this child will be held dearly in the palm of God’s hand!
Requirements for Parents-
As parents, you are making the promise to raise your child in the faith and it is expected that your family is actively practicing their Catholic faith.
- Parents asking for their child to be baptized at St. Nicholas must be a registered member of our faith community. If you are not registered, you may register at the parish office (812-623-2964) before the process beings.
Requirements for Godparents or Christian Witness
Godparents are members of the Christian community who, by their lives and their faith, set a good example for the child whose initiation into this community they are sponsoring. Godparents may also support the parents in the upbringing of the child as a Catholic Christian. They should be able to stay in communication with the child as he or she is growing up.- One male and one female, or one of either gender (may not be the parent of the person to be baptized)
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Godparents are chosen by the person to be baptized or the child’s parent(s) or by the pastor
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Godparents and Christian Witnesses must be at least 16 years of age
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At least one Godparent must be a practicing Catholic who has received the three Sacraments of Initiation and is under no canonical penalty. (A letter of good standing must be submitted to the parish office for any sponsors who are not members of St. Nicholas Parish.)
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A chosen non-Catholic who will serve as a Christian Witness must be a baptized Christian.
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If Godparent(s) cannot be present for your child’s baptism, you may choose others to stand in as proxies for the Baptism ceremony. Only the names of the chosen (actual) godparents will appear on the Baptism certificate.
Scheduling a Baptism
Call the parish office at 812-623-2964 to request the necessary Baptismal Informational Form.
First-time Parents
We invite and strongly encourage first-time parents to contact us even before your child is born and to plan in advance. Please call the parish office at 812-623-2964 to schedule a Baptismal Preparation Session.
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The Journey to Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a faith journey. Through prayer, study, and fellowship adults are led to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith. It is directed toward the possible decision to become a full member of the Catholic Community.
Reasons to consider participating in RCIA:-
You were never baptized but seek to belong to a community of believers
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You are a baptized Christian and now wish to learn more about the Catholic Church
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You feel “at home” in a Catholic Church and would like to share in the Eucharist when at Mass
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You would like to explore, question, or seek to understand the Catholic Church better
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the Catholic Church, please contact Rene Jackson, Administrator of Religious Education at 812-623-4618, or email at
[email protected]olas-sunman.org for more information. Or you may fill out this online form and submit it to the parish office.
Are Catholics born again?
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/are-catholics-born-again
Assurance of Salvation?
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/assurance-of-salvation
Are we born again in Baptism?
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/born-again-in-baptism
Is Baptism a necessity?
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/the-necessity-of-baptism
Is there grace received during Baptism?
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/baptismal-grace
What about infant Baptism?
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/infant-baptism
What were early Church teachings on infant Baptism?
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/early-teachings-on-infant-baptism
Is Baptism by immersion only?
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/baptism-immersion-only -