Infant Baptism
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“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.
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Procedures to Prepare your Child for Baptism
- To begin the process parents must make a registration and orientation appointment with a deacon at St. Lawrence. Please contact (310) 540-0329 X 356 to make the appointment. This needs to be complete BEFORE a baptism date is scheduled.
- A birth certificate is required in order to verify information. Parents, please be prepared to show us your baby’s birth certificate, either from the hospital or from the state of birth prior to baptism.
- A prayerful reflection over the choice of godparents.
- Participation of parents and godparents in a pre-Baptism class.
- Celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism.
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Requirements for Parents
- At least one parent must be a Catholic intending that the child become a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church (Baptism-Eucharist-Confirmation).
- Parents must complete a pre-Baptism Orientation Appointment and a pre-Baptism Instruction Class.
- A birth certificate is required in order to verify information. Parents, please be prepared to show us your baby’s birth certificate, either from the hospital or from the state of birth prior to baptism.
- Prior to the Baptism all required paperwork must be submitted to the Parish Office. This includes:
1. Copy of the pre-Baptism Class Certificates for the parents and Godparents (if class not taken at St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church).
2. For godparents residing outside of the Archdiocese of LA who are unable to locate a pre-Baptism class, a letter from their parish priest (on parish letterhead) indicating that they are qualified to be a godparent. - Parents may select two godparents (one female & one male). The Church, however, requires only one godparent. Please see the “Requirements for Godparents” below.
- If a godparent cannot be present at the Baptism, the parents may choose a proxy (Christian Witness) to stand in for him or her. Proxies do not replace the role of a godparent. The proxy must be a Baptized Christian, but is not required to attend a pre-Baptism class. Please see the “Requirements for Godparents” below.
- Parents may not serve as their child’s godparent.
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Requirements for Godparents
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.
- Godparents must be over the age of 16, fully initiated in the Catholic faith (Baptism-Eucharist-Confirmation), and a practicing Catholic. A practicing Catholic is one who attends Mass and receives the Sacraments regularly. A second godparent of the opposite sex, if chosen, may be Baptized in another Christian tradition. These godparents are referred to as a “Christian Witness.”
- The godparents must attend a pre-Baptism instruction class at St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church. Alternatively they may attend a class offered at a parish near their home. If they do, a certificate of attendance must be submitted to the Parish Office.
- If the godparents live outside of the Archdiocese of LA and no classes are offered, they must submit a letter (on parish letterhead) from their parish priest indicating that they are qualified to be a godparent.
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Baptism Class & Registration
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(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.
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