Baptism

In Baptism we receive the Holy Spirit and become a part of the People of God, the Body of Christ, which is the Church (Acts 2:38). Joined to the Son of God we all become joint heirs with Him to heaven and are known as children of God. As God's sons and daughters we share in the gifts that Jesus wishes to give to the Church, and so we call Baptism the "Gateway to all the Sacraments." As such Baptism is the first Sacrament received by Christians and the beginning of our Christian life.

As Catholics we believe in, "One Baptism for the forgiveness of sins" (Nicene Creed) meaning that we are not Baptized into a denomination, or multiple times. Instead we are Baptized once, and this one Baptism effectively makes us beloved children of God. We recognize all Baptisms that are made in the Trinitarian formula, "I Baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

This same Baptism forgives us our sins, both our actual sins and original sin. Actual sins are those sins we have chosen to commit. Original Sin is our inherited sin from our first parents, Adam and Eve. While we did not choose this sin, we experience its effects by being separated from God. Baptism restores our rightful relationship with God, and even elevates it to the status of beloved sons and daughters. 

Baptism of Children
The Baptism of Children has been celebrated by the Church since the earliest days of Christianity. We read in the Acts of the Apostles two instances of whole households being Baptized (Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33) and Paul himself recounts Baptizing Stephanas and his whole family (1 Cor. 1:16).

Following in this tradition the Catholic Church has always admitted children to Baptism. Some may argue that Baptism is a choice that we should be free to make, but Baptism is not about our choice of God, but rather it is God who chooses us to be His sons and daughters. God wishes for all of us to experience this healing and to elevate our lives to that of new-born sons and daughters of God. Our choice is whether or not we respond to God's loving plan for our life begun in the Sacrament of Baptism. Every day we make our choice to live out this relationship with fidelity to the call we have received (Eph 1:4).
 

How to Schedule Baptism for a Child at St. Thomas Aquinas:

Children aged 0-6 are eligible for children's baptism in the Church. To register for a Baptism at St. Thomas Aquinas please fill out the form on the right hand side of this page. Currently, all Baptisms at St. Thomas Aquinas are done within Mass.

We also require a Baptism preparation class for parents. Please call the parish office and register for the next available session that works for you and your family. Dates for this are listed below.
 

Baptism Preparation Classes 2025
 All classes are held at 6:00pm in the Bethany-Newman Room off the Student Lounge

Dates:

Tuesday January 14, 2025
Monday April 14, 2025
Monday July 14, 2025
Tuesday October 14, 2025

Baptism for Children 7 years of age and older
Because children aged 7 and up have reached the age of reason the Church has separate requirements for their Baptism so that they may choose, with their parents help, to receive the Sacrament.

To receive Baptism, these children are entered into our Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) adapted for children. Parents and children will both attend preparatory sessions. 

For more information, please contact Brenda Neppel, our Coordinator of RCIA.

Baptism for Adults
If you are an adult seeking Baptism  please contact Brenda Neppel, our Coordinator of RCIA.

Adults seeking initiation into the Church prepare for their Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation at the same time. These Sacraments often take place at the Easter Vigil Mass where the Church celebrates the Resurrection of Christ with the gift of these Sacraments.

Because we believe in one Baptism, we do not "re-Baptize" or Baptize multiple times. All Baptisms done in Trinitarian formula really and truly unite us to Christ in the Church and forgive our sins. We often renew our Baptismal Promises to deepen our commitment to Jesus and His Church.