Baptisms

Baptisms may take place during any scheduled weekend or weekday Mass.  Baptizing during Mass is preferred because it reinforces our understanding that Baptism is both an initiation into the Catholic Faith and an initiation into our specific community of believers in St. John Guardian of Our Lady Parish.  Baptisms also are offered on Saturday afternoons and at other times if specific parental needs exist.  There are no fees.

For infants and toddlers, the process follows.

 #1 - First-Time Parents who were married in a Catholic Church.
 #2 - First Time Parents who were not married in a Catholic Church.
 #3 - Parents who have already had one or more children baptized.

 #1 - First-Time Parents Married in the Catholic Church.
 First-time parents married in the Catholic Church who are planning to have their first child baptized at St. John’s must take part in a Baptismal Preparation Class which is held on the first Sunday of each month at 12 p.m. in the Parish Center downstairs in our church.  Please reserve the time by contacting the parish secretary at 978-368-0366 x201.  Bridget and Sam Kaulbach volunteer to lead this preparation.

#2 - First-Time Parents Not Married in the Catholic Church.
 We warmly welcome you to meet with Fr. Jim or Fr. Thiago to learn about God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift of Baptism.  Please contact the parish secretary at 978-368-0366 x201 to begin the paperwork.

#3 - Parents Who Have Already Had One or More Children Baptized.
Please call the parish secretary at 978-368-0366 x201 to begin the paperwork and choose a date.  

Regarding Godparents: Please complete and return hardcopy of the Godparent Form to the secretary prior to your meeting with the pastor.  Before choosing two Godparents (or one Godparent and one sponsor) for your child, please be sure that they fulfill the requirements found on the form or are able to procure a letter in these or similar words from their pastor attesting that they are qualified.

If the parents of a child are not married, a copy of the child’s birth certificate is required for a baptism to take place.
 
In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ's call to holiness.  In Baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom.  We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love.

The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus.  Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist.  The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters.  . . .  Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin.  However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptize all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin – Original and actual – and begin to live a new life with God.