Baptism for Children

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Baptism is the premier sacrament of the Church, giving all of us our beginning
 in the life of Christ and in the Church

We are excited to prepare with you for the baptism of your child! As the Catechism proclaims, “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, paragraph 1213)

Baptisms at St. Thomas Aquinas are celebrated twice a month (the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month) for infants and children under  the age of reason (about seven years old), avoiding the Season of Lent and special solemnities / holy days.

To schedule a baptism, please go to the Baptism Registration Link below. Parents must participate in an online baptism class prior to the date of baptism. Please, if at all possible, try to plan 2 months in advance to allow for scheduling, coursework and paperwork.  You may begin baptismal preparations even before your child is born.  

For more information or questions on baptizing your infant, contact [email protected].

• Baptism Registration
• Baptism FAQ’s Sheet 

*Adults and Children over 7 seeking Baptism must go through OCIA.  If you are an adult or your child is over 7 yrs old, Click Here for more information or give us a call at 517-351-7215. 

Baptism:
Baptism, and all sacraments for that matter, are much more than a brief moment of celebration. The Rite of Baptism does not bring God’s love into being as if that love did not exist before the ceremony. Rather, Baptism is the Church’s way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God who first loved us from the moment of our conception. Baptism is a manifestation of something real— the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and Sacramental Grace into the child being baptized, and our acceptance of the Transforming Love of God. It is a celebration of lived experiences. Once the Rite of Baptism is done, now it remains for us to grow into what we already are: daughters and sons of God. Baptism celebrates a family’s and a community’s experience of that love in the baptized.

The Role of the Godparent:
Being a Godparent is not just an honor to be given to a good friend or relative, but someone who will have a personal and lasting influence on the child’s religious development.  Godparents are present with parents to profess the Catholic Faith in which the child is being baptized and proclaim that they will help the parents to exemplify to the child how to live that faith. It is a serious responsibility for the parents to choose well who will be the Godparent(s) of their child.  Parents need to ensure that the Godparent(s) understand the time, willingness and faith required of them.  Godparenting is more than an honor; it is a ministry and sacred vocation in the Catholic Church. Godparent(s) must meet the following requirements:

• They must be mature enough to undertake this responsibility (at least 16 years old)
• Only one Catholic Godparent is required for the baptism to occur, but it is preferred and recommended to have an active, practicing Catholic for both the Godfather and the Godmother.
• The Catholic Godparent(s) themselves must be baptized Catholics, confirmed and attending Mass regularly; They are active, practicing, and registered member(s) of a Catholic parish, and who are able to share their faith with the child 
• A baptized, believing and actively participating Christian who is Non-Catholic may act as a Christian witness, along with one active and practicing Catholic Godparent.

Godparent Form

**GODPARENTS - PLEASE NOTE**
If you have been asked to be a Godparent for a child that is being baptized at a Catholic Church OTHER THAN St. Thomas Aquinas/ St. John, please do NOT use the Godparent form above.  

You will need to contact the Catholic Church where the child will be baptized to ask them what they need from you.   They often have their own specific form you will have to complete or they may only ask for a Letter of Good Standing from your home parish.