Baptism At St Monica Parish

Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation through which a person becomes a full member of the Church, the Body of Christ. We come to Baptism by faith in Christ Jesus. Baptism is fundamentally about belonging to the Family of God as his adopted children, witnesses and disciples of Jesus Christ.

Infant Baptism

This means that the baptism of children is possible only if the child is presented by the Catholic parent(s) as a witness of their own faith in Jesus Christ. The parent(s) promise to raise the child in the faith, bringing them to church Sunday after Sunday, teaching them their prayers and being for the child an example of how to live the Catholic faith.

If you are interested in presenting your child for Baptism, it is important that you be registered as members of the parish, for we live our faith as members of a community. This is a child and family-friendly parish, and we understand that the life of a young family is often challenging and unpredictable, so we try to make the preparation for Baptism as simple as possible.

As a Roman Catholic parent, you have the right to present your children for Baptism in your own parish, which is either the one in which you are a registered, active member, or the one in which you live geographically. In Ottawa, you would belong to either the French or the English parish in your area or to your ‘national’ (linguistic) parish.

If you wish to have your children baptized at your parents’ (or other relatives) parish, they can make the request of their pastor once you have from your own parish a letter stating that you a) have the permission of your pastor and b) have completed your own parish’s ‘Baptismal Preparation’ program.

Infant Baptisms generally are held in the afternoon on one designated Sunday a month (except during Lent & Advent). If you are a parishioner or resident of the parish, please speak to the pastor at the end of any Sunday Mass. Ask him for a ‘Baptismal Registration Package’.

Please note:

A date for Baptism will be set ONLY after we have received the completed forms

The role of the godparent(s) should not be confused with that of a legal guardian.

OR

If you wish to have the Baptism take place at another parish, the letter of permission will be issued after you attend the parent information meeting.

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School Age Baptisms (4 years old and older): October registration for Baptism after Easter. Contact the office for school age baptism. Instruction appropriate to the age of the child is needed.

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Teen / Adult Baptisms: please contact the office to enquire about the RCIA program (weekly meetings for at least six months) for Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation during the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Thursday.