Baptisms at Holy Trinity Parish

See form at bottom of this page to register

Baptisms at Holy Trinity Parish occur the Third Sunday of the Month 1:00PM Emergency Baptisms: any time.

 

The following is a list of frequently asked questions for those interested in having their child baptized.

 

Q. What is required for us to baptize our child?

A. Parents of children are required in the Rite of the Sacrament to promise to bring the child up Catholic. Doing this effectively requires that parents themselves practice their faith. Children do not learn to practice, when their parents do not, even if they are sent to religious education for every possible class available. Parents who practice their faith well teach their faith effectively to their children. Therefore, it is important that parents are practicing their Catholic Faith.

 

Q. Is there an age limit to baptism?

A. No, however once a child reaches 7 then he or she needs to be fully educated in the faith, in which case the child will need to attend class and receive baptism and first communion and if possible confirmation together. These are the sacraments of initiation and over the age of 7 they are generally given together. If the person is an adult then he or she will participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and receive all three sacraments together. This process, depending on the faith formation can take up to two years.

 

Q. I am not sure if I want to baptize my child. I have heard it has to do with taking away original sin. My baby is only days old. What sin did he commit?

A. Your child did not commit any sin. Original sin is that which is committed by Adam and Eve. We are all born with this on our soul. However, let me explain this simply. Adam and Eve by acting against God brought their imperfection into our creation—that is original sin. When we baptize someone, the Holy Spirit of God enters his or her soul and then the very definition of perfection leads the person to eternal life in ways that a child without baptism and growing up in the faith could never understand.

 

Indeed, your child’s eternal life begins at baptism, just as yours did. Your baby receives God’s promise of eternal life and promise of guidance to that gift. That is what you are all about, in teaching your child in the ways of the Lord so that he or she may grow up in wisdom and grace.

 

Q. Does your explanation of Baptism mean that I will have to teach my child not to believe in evolution, if they teach it in school?

A. No.

 

Q. Does it cost anything to have my child baptized?

A. No, however, it is customary to give a donation of your choosing. Most people give somewhere between $20 and $100. This goes to the operating expenses of the parish. It does not go to the priest.

 

Q. What do I need to bring to have my child baptized?

A. Obviously, the baby, the godparents and the parents. The child should be dressed in white. Some couples bring candles and a shell for which to pour water on the baby's head, although neither the candle nor the shell are required. Candles are supplied.

 

Q. Will I receive a baptismal certificate?

A. Yes it will be mailed to you.

 

Q. What are the requirements to be a Godparent?
A. According to Canon Law, the requirement to be a godparent is simple, they must be confirmed practicing Catholics who if married are married in the Church.

 

Q. I have a friend who is not a Catholic and she was a godmother in a Catholic parish, why don’t YOU allow this?

A. Canon Law makes the requirement. I cannot make an exception to such a law. However, there is the reality of a Christian witness. This is a person who is not administratively called a Godparent, who acts as a Christian witness in the life of a baptized child. Many parents will refer to that person as their child’s godparent. Administratively that is not the term we use. Parents can use whatever term they please.

 

Q. My brother is not confirmed and he does not practice his faith, but he is a good person, can he be a godparent?

A. Being a Catholic is more about having a relationship with Christ. It is that relationship which helps us mature and affects our behavior in the long run. If your brother does not practice his faith, he does not have a relationship with Christ as the Church defines it and, therefore, he does not qualify as a Godparent.

 

Q. I am pregnant with my boyfriend’s child. Can I have the baby baptized?

A. Strangely the qualifications for being a godparent are greater than those required of a parent seeking baptism. If you and your boyfriend are willing to live your faith and bring your child up Catholic, yes you may have your child baptized. However, the qualifications required of godparents will still apply to your baby’s godparents.

 

Q. We are not from your parish, may we have our child baptized there?

A. It is best to have your child baptized in your home parish. If you have no other remaining connection to this parish, you will be encouraged to baptize your child in your current home parish. This is because you are not only baptizing your child into the Catholic parish, but you are also baptizing him or her into the local community. This signifies not only a committment on your part to the community, it signifies the community's committment to you.

 

Q. Can we have a private baptism?

A. Yes, but you must bring your own priest and he must be serving in good standing in the eyes of the Archdiocese of Boston. Such a baptism can be scheduled at yours and the priest’s convenience, provided it does not interfere with other parish activities.

 

Q. What can I do to begin the process of baptism at Holy Trinity Parish?

A. If this is for a child, please fill out the form here. If for an adult, please call 617 479-9200 or send an e-mail to holytrinityquincyma@gmail.com

BAPTISMAL REGISTRATION FORM AT Holy Trinity Parish