Baptism
What is Baptism?
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
— Galatians 3:2
Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments and the gateway to a life of grace in the Catholic Church. It is the sacrament of initiation through which a person is freed from original sin, becomes a child of God, and is welcomed into the Body of Christ—the Church. Through Baptism, we are cleansed of original sin, we become members of the Catholic Church, we are marked as belonging to Christ forever, we receive the grace of the Holy Spirit, which begins a lifelong journey of faith.
Baptism is not just a one-time event—it is the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Jesus. It is the foundation upon which all other sacraments are built and the first step in becoming a disciple of Christ.
Infant Baptism
0- 6 yrs old
We are so glad you're here.
Baptism is a joyful and sacred moment—both in the life of your child and in your family's journey of faith. Through this beautiful sacrament, your child is welcomed into the Catholic Church and becomes part of the family of God.
Baptism marks the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Christ. It is a moment of grace, of new life in God, and a promise—your promise as parents to nurture your child’s faith and help them grow in love and knowledge of God.
Faith is a gift—a gift that needs to be nourished. At our parish, we are honored to walk with you not only as you prepare for your child’s Baptism, but throughout the many stages of their faith journey still to come.
Let’s begin this beautiful path together.
To help guide you through this meaningful time, please follow the steps below:
1. Contact the Parish Office
Begin by reaching out to our parish office to express your interest in scheduling a baptism. We’ll provide you with the necessary forms and answer any initial questions.
2. Submit Required Documents
Please provide a copy of your child’s legal birth certificate, and complete the baptism registration form. These are needed to officially begin the process.
3. Attend a Baptism Preparation Session
Parents (and godparents, if available) are required to attend a short baptism preparation class. This session will help you understand the meaning of the sacrament and your important role in raising your child in the faith.
4. Review Godparent Requirements
Choosing a godparent is an important decision—one that reflects your desire to surround your child with strong, faithful role models.
A godparent plays a vital spiritual role in your child’s life. More than a ceremonial title, godparents are called to be lifelong examples of faith, to support the parents, and to help guide the child in their relationship with Christ and the Church.
Godparents commit to:
- Praying for and with their godchild
- Supporting the parents in raising the child in the Catholic faith
- Being present at the Baptism and, when possible, throughout the child’s spiritual development
- Offering witness by the way they live and practice their faith
5. Schedule the Baptism Date
Once paperwork and preparation are complete, we will work with you to schedule your child’s baptism. Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays at 1:00 PM.
Contact the Parish Office at 732-938-5375 or email us at info@sienachurch.org.
Baptismal Classes
If this is your first time bringing a child forward for baptism, it is a requirement of the Diocese of Trenton that both parents participate in one baptism preparation session.
The preparation session usually takes place the fourth Sunday of the month prior to your baby's baptism and will be scheduled at the time you arrange for your baby's baptism.
If you have already had a child baptized at St. Catherine's, you need not attend the preparation session again
Requirements
Only one godparent is required for Baptism. If two are chosen, one must be male and one female.
A godparent must be a practicing Roman Catholic (baptized, confirmed), attending Mass regularly on Sundays and Holy Days, at least 16 years of age, and in good standing with the Church (including married in the Church if they are married).
A baptized non-Catholic Christian may be chosen as a “Christian witness” provided there is one Catholic godparent.
A former Catholic may not serve as either a godparent or Christian witness.
Godparents will be required to submit a Certificate of Eligibility from their parish prior to the child’s Baptismr
Baptism (Children/Youth/Teens)
Participants receive religious instruction to prepare them to understand the sacrament, its meaning, and the commitment of faith.
Contact the Parish Office at 732-938-5375 or email us at prep@sienachurch.org.
Baptism (Adult)
We welcome people of all ages into our community. The process for welcoming adults into the Roman Catholic faith is known as the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).
