Be The Light
Baptism
-
Baptism Information & Application Forms
-
Infant Baptism at St. Gabriel's
Baptism classes in English and Spanish are held on the 2nd Saturday of every month. Arrangements for baptismal classes and baptisms must be made in advance by calling the parish office at 719-528-8407. A baptismal application form will need to be completed and turned in to the parish office.
If you are not a member of the parish, you need to obtain a letter of permission from your parish church acknowledging that your child has permission to be baptized here.
The Church's requirements for Roman Catholic Godparents are:- A child must have at least one practicing Roman Catholic godparent in good standing with the Church. This Catholic godparent must be at least 16 years old and be mature enough to understand, accept and carry out the duties of a godparent.
- A godparent must have received the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
- A godparent must be living an exemplary life consistent with faith and morals as taught by the Roman Catholic Church. If married, a godparent must have been married in the Catholic Church.
- A godparent must be actively practicing the faith and obtain a letter of good standing from their home parish.
- A non-Catholic, baptized Christian may be chosen as a Christian Witness, as long as one godparent is Catholic.
Prospective godparents need to submit to the parish office, a Letter of Eligibility from their parish at least three weeks prior to the baptism date.
Download Infant Baptism Forms below:
Baptism Required Documents Checklist
Baptismal Application Form (Bilingual)
Godparents Agreement Form
-
Information about Adult baptism at St. Gabriel's
RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
RCIA is for persons over the age of 18 that:
- desire baptism.
- are baptized in another Christian tradition and desire to become Catholic.
- are Baptized Catholic, but have not received catechesis nor the sacraments of Confession, Communion, and Confirmation.
RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process, established for the universal Church, for individuals to become Catholic and receive the sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. The Rite speaks of conversion as a “spiritual journey” centered on fostering a deep relationship with Jesus and the Church He founded. This journey takes place through distinct stages over a period of time suitable to bring about a thorough catechesis, significant experience of the parish community, and commitment to the liturgical and moral life of the Catholic faithful.
For more information, please contact Deacon Mike below:
CONTACT
[email protected]
719-528-8407
-
RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation of Children)
The RCIC process is for children, ages 7-17, who are unbaptized, who are baptized in another faith and desire to become Catholic or who are uncatechised (have not received First Reconciliation or First Communion). During this process, the children will receive a better understanding of what it means to know and love God and how they can be active members of the Catholic Church. Children will receive the appropriate sacraments at the Easter vigil or on Easter Sunday. At least one parent/guardian is required to attend class with the child.
To register for RCIC, please contact the office.
POINTS OF CONTACT:
[email protected]
719-528-8407
Kim Seiler
Child and Youth Faith Formation Administrator
719-528-8407
[email protected]
-
-
-
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
In his dialogue with Nicodemus, Jesus taught that Baptism was necessary for salvation. "No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit" (Jn 3:5). After his Resurrection, Jesus met with the eleven Apostles and gave them the commission to preach the Gospel and baptize, telling them, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mk 16:16).
The word baptism in its origins is Greek and means "immersion" and "bath." Immersion in water is a sign of death and emersion out of the water means new life. To bathe in water is also to undergo cleansing. Saint Paul sums up this truth when he says, "You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead" (Col 2:12).
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. "He comes to sanctify the Jordan for our sake . . . to begin a new creation through the Spirit and water" (St. Gregory Nazianzen, Liturgy of the Hours, I, 634).
Jesus' immersion in the water is a sign for all human beings of the need to die to themselves to do God's will. 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.
—From the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
-