The Sacrament of Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments. It is through Baptism that the stain of original sin, and any other sin, is wiped away and we become new members of the Body of Christ and the Catholic Church.
We extend a special welcome to you if you are trying to find out more about Baptism for yourself, or for your child.
If you are an adult who is seeking more information on how to become a member of the Catholic Church, please see our Becoming Catholic page to find more information about the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) and what the process is as well as contact information.
If you are visiting our site because you recently became a parent, or your child is a little older, we offer our congratulations! We know what a busy and exciting time this is for your family, and we want to assist you in raising your child in the faith.
All baptisms are scheduled with the parish office. Below are some FAQs to help answer some of your questions. Please call the Parish Office at (440) 333-2133 to speak with a priest or deacon with further questions, or whatever is on your mind.
FAQs
Do I have to be a member of St. Angela Merici to have my baby baptized?
The celebration of all Catholic sacraments are community events and our community is our parish where we live. If you are a Catholic parent living within the boundaries of St. Angela Merici, you have the right to have your child baptized here. If you live in another city, but for family or other reasons would like to have your child baptized here, that is a possibility with approval. Please talk to a priest or deacon about your situation.
When is Baptism held?
You may choose to have your child baptized during any scheduled weekend Mass. You may also join the community Baptism that is held after the 9:30 a.m. Mass. You can also schedule your child to be baptized at another time with the approval of a priest or deacon. Please call the Parish Office at (440) 333-2133 to schedule the Baptism.
Are we required to attend any meetings or classes?
Here at St. Angela Merici, we require that all first-time parents attend an orientation class before scheduling the Baptism of their child. At this class, you will learn all about the sacrament itself, have your questions answered, and learn successful ways we can help you to incorporate the faith into your family life. This is a one-time class that lasts between 60-90 minutes, and both parents are to attend. The class is usually held on the first Sunday in January, March, May, July, September and November at 10:30 a.m. Call the parish office at (440) 333-2133 to register. If this time is impossible due to your work schedules, please contact the parish office for your options.
Who can be a Godparent?
Every person being baptized, whether a child or an adult, must have a Catholic sponsor. The sponsors in Baptism have traditionally been called godparents. The minimum requirement is one sponsor, but usually when infants are baptized, they have two, one of each gender. Canon law permits only one godparent of each gender – a godmother and a godfather.
Please be sure your intended godparents are eligible to be sponsors. To be a sponsor, they must:
Be at least 16 years or older
Have received Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation
If married, must be in a valid Catholic marriage
Not be the parent of the one being baptized
Show evidence of being a registered, active member of a parish, if needed
If you wish, along with the Catholic sponsor, one godparent can be a baptized Protestant Christian in good standing. They would be known as a Christian witness. Please note, a Catholic who has "left" the Church cannot be a Christian witness because of their Catholic baptism.
Please contact a priest or deacon if you have any other questions about who can be a godparent.
What if we are not married?
This situation, by itself, is not a sufficient reason to delay the baptism of your child. You will be asked to attend the parent class and will then meet with the priest or deacon to discuss your responsibilities to raise your child in the faith as single parents.
What if we were not married in the Church?
Jesus gave us His Sacraments to confer Grace upon us. It is this Grace that strengthens us to live according to His commandments. And this includes all of His sacraments. We support your decision to commit to each other in a civil marriage and would like to discuss the benefits to you and your relationship of inviting God into your life together by having your marriage “blessed” in the Church. Every situation is a little different, so please discuss this with your priest or deacon.
How much does it cost?
There is no cost to have your child baptized, however, donations made to the Church are always accepted. It is also customary to show your appreciation to the priest or deacon with a card or honorarium. This should always be according to your means.
