At Immaculate Heart of Mary we are excited for you and your family with the addition of a new child as a part of your family and we look forward to the day that they will be welcomed into our Catholic Christian family through 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” (CCC 1213). As such we are excited to talk with you as you prepare to have your child baptized here with our community.Contact the Parish Office for an initial visit.
Complete a Baptism Class either at IHM or another parish.
Turn in Paperwork to Parish Office
Schedule Baptism Date
Child's Birth Certificate
Baptismal Class Completion Certificate
Together with the parents, to present an infant for Baptism, and help the baptized to lead a Christian life in harmony with Baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations connect with it.” – Canon Law 872
Does it make a difference who you choose to be your children’s Godparents? YES!
People often want to ask their best friends or favorite relatives to act as Godparents for their children; they usually do this as a way of honoring someone. Of course, we all would like to honor those who are dear to us, but the Baptism of your child may not be the right time to do so.
Would you ask your best friend to perform heart surgery on your child? Of course not, unless he/she were a competent heart surgeon. So if the role of Godparents is to help the parents to raise the child in the good practice of the Catholic faith, then it stands to reason that you should ask someone who shows by their own knowledge and practice that they can help someone else follow in their footsteps.
Helping a child become a good Catholic Christian in an important undertaking; it is therefore, equally important to ask someone who regularly prays with the community at Sunday Mass and, who in other ways practices his/her faith and shows commitment to Christian values.
None of this is to suggest that your dear friends or relatives are not good people. They will surely be with you to help you in many other ways. But, a teacher of mathematics may not be a good teacher of English grammar and a good friend or close relative may not be the best model of Catholic Christian practice.
If you value your faith, you will choose the best teachers to help you pass that faith onto your children.
*Taken from Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Godparent (Sponsor) Agreement, September 2005
The first step is to take a Baptism Preparation Class. Class is required for parents and Godparents. In class you will receive a packet with forms, information and instructions. A list of upcoming classes can be found below or by contacting the parish office (303-563-2041)
If you have taken the class within the last five years, you do not need to repeat. Please include a copy of your class certificate with your paperwork.
No. You can attend class at any Catholic Church that offers baptism preparation Class. Please include a copy of your class certificate with your paperwork.
We schedule baptism after parents have completed the Baptism Class and all paperwork has been submitted to the Baptism Coordinator. Once the paperwork has been reviewed and verified, a baptism date can be scheduled.
YES! The consent of at least one parent is required to have your child baptized.
YES! The child’s baptism will not be delayed for unmarried parents.
No. That will not impact your child’s eligibility to be baptized.
Only ONE Catholic Godparent is required, but you can choose to have TWO. For both to be Godparents they both must meet the requirements for a Catholic Godparent. No more than 2 are permitted.
No. You are required to have a least ONE Catholic Godparent that meets all the requirements.
No. There can be only ONE Godfather or ONE Godmother. If there are 2 it muse be 1 male and 1 female.
Yes. If a Godparent cannot attend the baptismal ceremony, a “proxy” can stand in for them.
A white garment is traditional.
YES! You can take pictures during the baptism.
The first of the seven sacraments, and the “door” which gives access to the other sacraments. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the “sacraments of initiation” by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ.