Baptism

The ordinary ministers of Baptism are bishops, priests, and deacons.
In emergencies, any person may baptize — even someone who is not baptized — provided they intend what the Church intends and use water with the words:

“I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Parents are encouraged to have their child baptized as soon as possible after birth 👶.
You may contact the parish even before your baby is born to arrange preparation and set a date for the celebration.

Parents (and godparents, when possible) are invited to attend a Baptism preparation session 🕯️.
This short gathering helps you reflect on the meaning of Baptism and the promises you will make on behalf of your child.
The parish office will guide you in scheduling your session.

Yes ❤️ Your child is always welcome!
During your meeting with the priest or deacon, we will gently discuss your family’s faith journey and explore how we can help you grow together in faith.
The most important thing is your desire to raise your child as a Catholic Christian.

Godparents play a special spiritual role in the life of your child 🌟. They are chosen to support you in nurturing your child’s faith.

To serve as a godparent, one must:

• Be at least 16 years old 🎂

• Be a baptized and confirmed Catholic

• Live a life consistent with the faith

• Not be the child’s parent

You may have one or two godparents (if two, one male and one female).
A baptized Christian from another denomination may serve as a Christian witness alongside a Catholic godparent.

Baptism is normally celebrated in your home parish, where your family worships.
If there is a special reason (for example, to be near family 💒), please speak with both pastors.
A letter of permission from your home parish is usually required.

There is no fee 💙 for the Sacrament of Baptism.
Families who wish may offer a freewill donation to the parish to help support our ministries and outreach.

A permanent record of every Baptism is kept at the parish 📜.
This includes the name of the person baptized, parents’ names, godparents, date, and the name of the minister.
A Baptism Certificate can be issued when needed (for sacraments, school enrollment, etc.).

If your record cannot be found at St. Mary’s, please contact the parish office 📞.
If you believe you were baptized elsewhere within the Diocese of St. Catharines, our staff can assist you in locating your record through the diocesan archives.

Adults who wish to join the Catholic Church are invited to take part in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) ✝️ — a journey of prayer, learning, and community leading to Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at Easter.
Please reach out to the parish office for more information.