Baptism

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…” – Matthew 28:19-20

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213)

Parents have a grave responsibility to present their infants for baptism as soon as possible, usually within the first weeks after birth. Parishes are to provide a catechetical program of instruction for parents and godparents which includes: the meaning of Baptism, the obligations attached to the Sacrament, the scriptural foundation for the Sacrament, the sacramental life of the Church, and the Rite of Baptism itself (Code of Canon Law, cann. 851 & 867; Archdiocesan Pastoral Policies Handbook, 3.2.1.3).

Children ages six (6) and under are considered “infants” by the Church (Code of Canon Law, can. 97.2). For the Baptism of infants, the parents, or at least one of them, are to give their consent. Furthermore, there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion (Code of Canon Law, can. 868).

As a rule, infants are baptized in the parish church of their parents, unless a just cause suggests otherwise (Code of Canon Law, can. 857.2). To claim Christ the King as one’s proper parish, one must either live within the parish’s territorial boundaries or be registered members of the parish for at least three (3) months. All other requests for baptism at Christ the King must have the permission of the pastor of Christ the King as well as the permission of the parent’s proper pastor (cf. Archdiocesan Pastoral Policies Handbook, 3.2.1.9.e).

Preparation classes for Baptism are normally held on the fourth Sunday of every month at 1:00 pm in the Parish Center. Please contact Christina Sanchez for more information.

STEP 1: Register as a parishioner of Christ the King (if you have not done so yet). New Parishioners are invited to participate in weekly Mass for a minimum of 3 months prior to scheduling a Baptism. If you are not currently registered as a parishioner of Christ the King (or if you are not sure), please contact our main office at (402) 391-3606.

STEP 2: Contact Christina Sanchez to fill out the Baptism Request Form at (402) 391-3624. 

STEP 3: Attend the Baptismal preparation class. Parents are required to take this course. Baptism preparation classes are normally scheduled on the fourth Sunday of every month, at 1 p.m. in the Parish Center. Please RSVP by contacting Christina Sanchez with your name/s and the class you plan to attend. 

STEP 4: Return original, completed godparent forms to the rectory via dropbox outside the rectory door, mail, or drop-off in person. 
If you are a registered member of Christ the King parish, please call Christina Sanchez to go through the godparent form. She will give it to the pastor for his signature. Please allow five (5) business days to process the approval.

STEP 5: Once the above steps have been completed, please contact Christina Sanchez to schedule the Baptism. Please note that the Baptism will not be confirmed until all steps have been completed (completion of the Baptism request form, Godparent eligibility forms, and parents have attended the preparation class).

• Baptisms are scheduled around the availability of our clergy. 
• Either a parish Priest or Deacon will be the minister of the Sacrament, according to their schedule.
• Bishops, Priests, or Deacons who are relatives of the family may celebrate a Baptism at Christ the King with the pastor's permission. This should be requested by the parents when scheduling the Baptism. Clergy from another diocese must present a Letter of Good Standing. 

The role of a sponsor (i.e., godparent) is to present with the parents an infant for Baptism and who will help the child to lead a Christian life in harmony with the Sacrament. 

One Catholic sponsor—male or female—is required. If there are two, one of each sex must be chosen. No more than two people may be designated as baptismal sponsors.

Each Catholic sponsor:

• Must be at least 16 years of age

• Must be baptized

• Must have received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist in the Catholic Church

• Must be living a life in harmony with the faith (i.e. frequenting the sacraments of Holy Communion and Reconciliation, not cohabitating outside of Catholic matrimony, etc.)

• May not be under a canonical penalty

Each Catholic Godparent must fill out the Godparent form with his/her pastor. If you are a parishioner at Christ the King, please contact Christina Sanchez to fill out the form. 

Godfather Form  Godmother Form
 

A baptized non-Catholic Christian may serve as a Christian Witness, but only alongside a Catholic sponsor who meets the criteria above.

A Christian Witness:

• Must be validly baptized

• Must practice his/her Christian faith

• Must not be an apostate (i.e., a baptized Catholic who subsequently left the Catholic Church).