Children are one of the greatest gifts from God. Christ the King shares in your joy at the gift of new life from the Lord! We are delighted that you are planning to present your child for Christian baptism. With great gifts comes great responsibility. There is nothing more important that parents can give their children than faith!

Baptism of Infants. Infants are ideally to be baptized in the parish church of their parents within the first few weeks after their birth. If your child is already much older than this, we are still very glad you are here! Baptism is an important religious responsibility. As parents, you have shared the gift of life with your child. Now you bring them to a spiritual rebirth in the sacrament that makes them a Catholic Christian and grants them the gift of eternal life in Christ.
 
Baptism of Older Children. Older children, who understand what is going on and have reached a catechetical age of reason (over 7 years old) prepare in a unique way for this sacrament. These children and their families prepare not only for baptism but for full initiation through Confirmation and Eucharist as well.
 
Baptism of Adults. Adults who desire baptism prepare through the RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). This program prepares adults for initiation into the Catholic Faith, through baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. Please contact the parish office for more information. The Catholic Church recognizes the baptism of those Christian denominations which baptize with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and believe in the doctrine of the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus Christ. Baptism is not recognized in churches that believe in nontrinitarianism (e.g., Mormon Church; Jehovah’s Witnesses) or which do not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ (e.g., Christian Science). If you are validly baptized in another Christian denomination and wish to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church, please contact the parish office for more information.
 
Officiants. The clergy of our parish officiate baptisms in our church. If you have a preference for a certain priest or deacon, please ask the parish office. It may not always be possible to fulfill your request due to the availability of our parish clergy, but we will do our best. For personal or family reasons, another priest or deacon may sometimes be invited by the pastor to come to our parish to celebrate a baptism. If you have such a request, please bring it to the attention of the parish office. Once an outside priest or deacon is approved, the parish office will work with the pastor to schedule the baptism at a time that works with everyone’s schedule.
 
To Register. If you are currently expecting or if your child has already been born and is not yet baptized — we encourage you to contact the parish office today to set up a time to have your child baptized! Please contact us here.

• Parents should be registered parishioners at Christ the King.
• Parents should be practicing the Catholic faith.
• A preparation class is required.

Responsibilities of Christian Parents
At our parishes, we strongly believe in the rights and duties of parents to play a primary and irreplaceable role in the lives of their children. It is our privilege to assist you, the primary teachers of your children, in the ways of faith and relationship with Jesus! In presenting your child for baptism, you not only affirm your own belief and assent to the Catholic faith but also take on the responsibility and mission of claiming that same faith for your child.
 
As a parent, you are the:

• First Witness. The one who proclaims what you have seen, heard, and believed!
• First Confessor. The one who introduces your child to what is wrong and right.
• First Evangelist. The one who shares the Father’s heart and love with your child.
• First Catechist. The one who echoes down the tender voice of Christ to your child.
• First Liturgist. The one who invites your child to kneel points to the Tabernacle, and says, “There’s Jesus! There He is. He’s right there.”
• First Encourager of Vocational Discernment. The one who helps your child discover his or her unique identity and calling, given to him or her by God.

That’s both exciting and at least a little bit overwhelming! However, by virtue of your role as a parent and your love for your child, you are already uniquely qualified to become these things for your child. As a parish, we are here to encourage and empower you in that mission. The best way to fulfill this duty is for you as parents to already be practicing your own faith conscientiously, each and every day. Christian parents must share their faith and relationship with Jesus with their child by word and example, and to make a commitment to forming their children in this faith.
 
This can be done in a variety of ways, not limited to enrolling children in a Catholic school, faith formation program, and living out a Christian example in everyday life. Parents should also have their children prepare for and receive the Sacraments of Initiation: First Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Here are some further thoughts about Christian parenthood to prayerfully consider:

We hope that you are regularly attending Mass each Sunday. If not, we encourage you to begin attending Mass regularly again, even bringing your baby or child with you to church. Don’t worry if they squirm or squeak or giggle or talk. You and your child are welcome!

• We also hope that you are practicing your Catholic faith fully. If not, we encourage you to go to the oasis of Confession and to make a fresh start on living well as a Catholic Christian. Confession is offered at Christ the King on Saturdays from 3:15 PM to 3:45 PM and after mass on the first Friday from 8:30 AM to 9:15 AM.
• We hope that you are growing in your own lived relationship with God. You can do this anywhere! Jesus desires to love you and share His Sacred Heart with you. You can grow in relationship with Jesus through personal prayer, reading the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, noticing goodness, truth, and beauty in the world, joining an adult small group, or a variety of other ways!
• We hope that you are married in the Catholic Church since this sacrament gives you the grace and strength to fulfill your mission as a Christian parent. If you are not married in the Catholic Church, we encourage you to contact the pastor after the baptism, to discuss how your marriage can be regularized in the Church.
• We hope that you as adults have received your sacraments, too. If not, we encourage you to complete them now by enrolling in our adult processes of preparation for these sacraments.
• If one of you is not a Catholic, we encourage you to consider becoming one. Our OCIA process is designed specifically for you! You don’t need to commit to becoming Catholic. Feel free to attend, inquire, learn, discover, and explore the faith with no obligation.
• We also encourage you to explore the many benefits of Natural Family Planning (NFP) as an effective and moral way to be responsible parents and open yourself to the Holy Spirit. Please explore the diocesan NFP Ministry website to learn more.
• Please feel free to contact the pastor to discuss any of these important spiritual issues. The more faithfully we follow the teachings of our Catholic Faith, the more truly blessed we will be, both in this life and in the life to come.