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Baptism: 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.
Baptisms are usually celebrated during Mass, except during Lent and Advent. They can also be scheduled outside of Mass on Saturday and Sunday.
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Contact Us
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Jan Bookjbookhsplc.orgSupervisor
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Baptismal Record
After the Baptism, the information will be recorded in the parish Baptism Register. Your child’s permanent Sacramental Record. All sacramental records prior to July 1, 2019 are held at the Diocese. Before your child’s reception of other Sacraments (First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Holy Orders), entry to Catholic School, or Religious Profession, you will be asked for an updated copy of the Baptismal Certificate. Please call the Diocesan Archive Center at 412-456-3158. The information about your child’s Sacramental Life—wherever those events may happen—starting July 1, 2019 will be recorded at Holy Spirit Parish.
Baptism and Adoption
When a child is in the process of being adopted, the natural parents must consent to the Baptism. Otherwise, the Sacrament will be postponed until after the adoption has been finalized, except in danger of death. Foster parents do not have the authority to present a foster child for Baptism.
Baptismal Preparation
Parents are required to attend Baptism Preparation prior to the Baptism of their first child. Also, parents who have not participated in Baptism Preparation within the past four years are required to participate in Baptism Preparation prior to the Baptism of their next child. For dates and times of Baptismal Preparation classes, please call Jan Book at 724-652-3422.
Choosing Godparents
One of your most important tasks before the Baptism is to choose godparents for your child. You only need one, but in many times there are two (one male and one female). Godparents will assist you in raising your child in the Catholic faith and therefore must meet certain qualifications as set forth by laws of the Catholic Church. According to Canon Law, a Godparent must:
- Be designated by you and must have the intention of performing this role
- Be at least 16 years of age (unless his/her pastor sees just cause for an exception)
- Be a Catholic who has been Confirmed and has already shared Holy Communion
- Be a Catholic who leads life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken
- Not be bound by any legitimately imposed canonical penalty
- Not be the father or mother of the child
Verifying Godparents’ Eligibility
The proposed Godparent’s pastor will verify that s/he is eligible to be a Godparent. If your Godparents are from Holy Spirit Parish, they just need to call the main office (724) 652-3422 to attest to their eligibility. If they are from a different parish, the Godparents will need to request a “Sponsor Certificate” from their home parish. Our parish office needs to have the original copy of this document at least two weeks before the Baptism date.
What about a Non-Catholic Godparent? Because a Godparent should be an asset to you in raising your child in the Catholic faith, it makes sense that you must have at least one Catholic Godparent. A baptized Christian of a different denomination can serve as a Christian Witness as long as a Catholic Godparent is also present. For obvious reasons, former Catholics cannot act as a Christian Witness or a Godparent.
What if a Godparent Cannot Be Present at the Baptism? If a Godparent cannot be present at the Baptism for a good reason but still would like to perform the life-long task of being a Godparent, you can have a Proxy present at the Baptism. The Proxy must also be eligible to be a Godparent according to the above requirements and must obtain a Sponsor Certificate as well. The parish office also needs the original copy of this document at least two weeks before the Baptism date.
Children Kindergarten to 5th Grade
If your child is of Kindergarten age through fifth grade and would like to be baptized and/or received into the Church, please contact our Director of Faith Formation for Primary Grades K to 5th grade at 724-654-9371 or 724-923-4190. We will be happy to assist in this process.
High School Age Teen
If you have an older child whom you would like to be Baptized, please contact the Patrick Neve and he will design a preparation program to meet your needs. Patrick may be reached at
Adult
If you are an adult who has not previously been baptized and wish to be baptized in the Catholic Church, please contact Michele Lagnese at 724-730-4889; mlagnese2@gmail.com, or Sister Annie Bremmer, Pastoral Associate at (724) 652-3422 x. 205, abremmer@hsplc.org to learn more about our RCIA program.
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-
Baptismal Record
After the Baptism, the information will be recorded in the parish Baptism Register. Your child’s permanent Sacramental Record. All sacramental records prior to July 1, 2019 are held at the Diocese. Before your child’s reception of other Sacraments (First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Holy Orders), entry to Catholic School, or Religious Profession, you will be asked for an updated copy of the Baptismal Certificate. Please call the Diocesan Archive Center at 412-456-3158. The information about your child’s Sacramental Life—wherever those events may happen—starting July 1, 2019 will be recorded at Holy Spirit Parish.
Baptism and Adoption
When a child is in the process of being adopted, the natural parents must consent to the Baptism. Otherwise, the Sacrament will be postponed until after the adoption has been finalized, except in danger of death. Foster parents do not have the authority to present a foster child for Baptism.
Baptismal Preparation
Parents are required to attend Baptism Preparation prior to the Baptism of their first child. Also, parents who have not participated in Baptism Preparation within the past four years are required to participate in Baptism Preparation prior to the Baptism of their next child. For dates and times of Baptismal Preparation classes, please call Jan Book at 724-652-3422.
Choosing Godparents
One of your most important tasks before the Baptism is to choose godparents for your child. You only need one, but in many times there are two (one male and one female). Godparents will assist you in raising your child in the Catholic faith and therefore must meet certain qualifications as set forth by laws of the Catholic Church. According to Canon Law, a Godparent must:
- Be designated by you and must have the intention of performing this role
- Be at least 16 years of age (unless his/her pastor sees just cause for an exception)
- Be a Catholic who has been Confirmed and has already shared Holy Communion
- Be a Catholic who leads life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken
- Not be bound by any legitimately imposed canonical penalty
- Not be the father or mother of the child
Verifying Godparents’ Eligibility
The proposed Godparent’s pastor will verify that s/he is eligible to be a Godparent. If your Godparents are from Holy Spirit Parish, they just need to call the main office (724) 652-3422 to attest to their eligibility. If they are from a different parish, the Godparents will need to request a “Sponsor Certificate” from their home parish. Our parish office needs to have the original copy of this document at least two weeks before the Baptism date.
What about a Non-Catholic Godparent? Because a Godparent should be an asset to you in raising your child in the Catholic faith, it makes sense that you must have at least one Catholic Godparent. A baptized Christian of a different denomination can serve as a Christian Witness as long as a Catholic Godparent is also present. For obvious reasons, former Catholics cannot act as a Christian Witness or a Godparent.
What if a Godparent Cannot Be Present at the Baptism? If a Godparent cannot be present at the Baptism for a good reason but still would like to perform the life-long task of being a Godparent, you can have a Proxy present at the Baptism. The Proxy must also be eligible to be a Godparent according to the above requirements and must obtain a Sponsor Certificate as well. The parish office also needs the original copy of this document at least two weeks before the Baptism date.
Children Kindergarten to 5th Grade
If your child is of Kindergarten age through fifth grade and would like to be baptized and/or received into the Church, please contact our Director of Faith Formation for Primary Grades K to 5th grade at 724-654-9371 or 724-923-4190. We will be happy to assist in this process.
High School Age Teen
If you have an older child whom you would like to be Baptized, please contact the Patrick Neve and he will design a preparation program to meet your needs. Patrick may be reached at
Adult
If you are an adult who has not previously been baptized and wish to be baptized in the Catholic Church, please contact Michele Lagnese at 724-730-4889; mlagnese2@gmail.com, or Sister Annie Bremmer, Pastoral Associate at (724) 652-3422 x. 205, abremmer@hsplc.org to learn more about our RCIA program.
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