“Always watch over your little ones, so that they may learn to know God as they grow up, love Him with all their strength and serve Him faithfully. May you be their first educators in faith, offering together with your teaching also the examples of a coherent Christian life.”
-His Holiness, Benedict XVI, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, 2007
God alone is the source of all life and all love. He has blessed your child with the precious gift of life. God wants you, as parents, to help your child discover His gift of faith. The Baptismal Rite reminds the parents that they are the child’s first teachers. Your love, your teaching, and especially your good example will help your child to grow in faith and in his or her relationship with God. This is why we have a special program to prepare parents and godparents about this important responsibility.
Godparents are another set of faith formation teachers and prayer angels for your child. You want them to love and care about your child as much as you do, and especially want them to be concerned with the spiritual life of your child.
(Reservations are Required)
Classes are held at St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church the fourth Wednesday of every month (except December) upstairs in the Parish Hall, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Parents and godparents are required to attend a pre-Baptism class (unless they have done so within the past three years).
To register, for the baptism class ONLY please send an e-mail to Susan Roberts. On your e-mail, please include the names of those planning to attend, indicating if they are parent or godparents, the baby’s name, the mother’s maiden name, as well as the date of the preferred class, and a telephone contact number. Please come 15 minutes early to check in and review your paperwork. If you arrive after 7pm, please be seated and check in at the end of class. Given the hour of the day and the length of the pre-Baptism class, parents and godparents are encouraged not to bring their children with them to class but to leave them under the care of a family member or babysitter.
To Schedule a Communal Baptism Date
Baptisms, like the other Sacraments, are a community celebration. The celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism is limited to 8 children and dates do fill up.
You may select a date for Baptism after you have completed a pre-Baptism orientation appointment with a priest or deacon. To schedule an orientation appointment, please call 310-540-0329, ext. 356.
Additional Information
Age of Infant Baptism
Parents should do everything within their power to bring their child for baptism within a reasonable period of time following birth. As soon as possible, even before the child is born, the parents should be in touch with the Parish Office concerning the Baptism, so that proper preparation may be made for the celebration. Infant Baptism is for children under seven years of age. Because they are capable of learning about their faith, older children who have already had their seventh birthday or begun first grade must take religious instruction before being Baptized. Please call the Religious Education Office (310-316-4460) for information about these special classes.
Baptism Donation
All the sacraments are free, as is God’s love for us. However, we ask you to help contribute to the on-going support of the Church. Your free-will offering should be given at the time of your child’s Baptism.