Baptism
At baptism, the community of faith manifests itself as the household of Christ, its doors open to welcome those who seek to make the community their home. From the font of baptism, individuals continue toward the table of the Lord to be nourished and sustained while they grow and mature as members of the Lord’s own household. It is from that table that they will rise to receive the anointing of Christ, to mark and seal their partnership with Christ and with Christ’s faithful in the mission of salvation.

PARENTS:
In presenting their own children for baptism, parents profess their faith in the promise of eternal life. They entrust their children to the waters of baptism to go down with Christ into death, so that they can rise with Christ to a new and eternal life. In making this act of faith, parents turn to the community to rely upon its members for companionship, help and support in raising their children in the faith.

COMMUNITY:
In welcoming infants and children to the font of baptism, the community pledges to provide them with an environment that will model and foster their growth in faith. The members of the community extend themselves to the parents as willing partners in the endeavor to engender and nurture faith in their children.

GODPARENTS:
Godparents are expected to develop a future bond of spiritual guidance and support with their godchild. More immediately, they stand with the parents as their companions and helpers, assisting the parents with and reinforcing their role as the first teachers of faith to their children.

  • One godparent, who is a fully initiated and practicing Catholic, is required for each infant or child who is to be baptized.
  • This person should be mature enough to take on both the immediate and future responsibilities of a godparent.
  • The godparent is chosen by the parents.
  • If the godparent cannot be present for the baptism, a proxy, also a fully initiated and practicing Catholic, can be appointed.
  • In addition to the godparent(s), a member of another Christian tradition or of a separated Eastern Church can serve as a Christian witness to the baptism.
  • Excerpts from Called To Faith: Diocesan Guidelines for Sacramental Preparation.

For further information about infant Baptisms or to register for one of the above series, please contact, the parish office at office@sacredheartnorfolk.org, 757-625-6763, in advance of the birth of your child.
Baptism icon
Baptism, the first of the threefold sacraments of initiation.
It is the entryway to the Church’s sacramental life and
the beginning of a lifetime of participation in the dying and rising of Christ.
Parent Preparation Sessions
2011-2012

Saturday,
August 27, 2011

Saturday,
November 12, 2011

Saturday,
February 25, 2012

Saturday,
May 12, 2012

All sessions from
8:30am to 11:30am

Register by calling the office at 625-6763 or email office@sacredheartnorfolk.org
Sacramental Preparation
Ministries
...more
Baptism Weekends
2011-2012

July 9/10, 2011
August 12/14, 2011
Sept. 17/18, 2011
October 8/9, 2011
Nov. 12/13, 2011
January 14/15, 2012
February 11/12, 2012
April 14/15, 2012
May 12/13, 2012
June 16/17, 2012

Please call the church office at 625-6763 t or email office@sacredheartnorfolk.org
to schedule your baptism.