Sacraments

(OCIA is the program for Adults becoming Catholic)

Interested in becoming a Sponsor, but unsure if you ‘know’ enough? Don’t worry, you do not need to be a theologian to be a sponsor. You just need to have the heart to accompany someone on his or her journey into the Catholic Church. You will attend class each week, which takes place on Sundays from 10:30-11:45 AM in Corbett Hall. In addition, there will be a few classes that take place on other days. You will receive the full schedule at the orientation. There are also specific requirements that need to be met in order to be a sponsor and they are as follows.

Sponsor Requirements at Saint Brigid

• 16 years of age or older, and
• is fully initiated into the Catholic Church (i.e., received Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion), and
• is not the father, mother, spouse, fiancé, or boy/girlfriend of the person being sponsored, and
• sincerely believes and strives to put into practice the Word of God as taught by the Catholic Church, and
• regularly takes part in the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, and
• if married, is married in accordance with the requirements of the Catholic Church.

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If you have any questions, please contact Deacon Leo Gahafer to find out more information about being an OCIA sponsor.

How Does my Child Become Catholic?

This is a process for youth by which one is received into the Catholic Church (non-Catholics) or completes the sacraments of initiation (Catholics) through faith development focusing on prayer, sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Who should participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children?

• Those who want to become Catholic, are seven to seventeen years old, and
  • have never been baptized, or
  • are baptized, but not in the Catholic Church
• Those who were baptized Catholic, are in 3rd to 12th grade, are seventeen years old or younger, and
  • never received first Communion and Confirmation

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Please contact Dr. Mimi Gamel to find out more information about RCIC.

How Do I Find Out More about the Catholic Church?

Are you interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church? The Inquiry process will help you to receive insights into the Catholic faith by discovering the truth, beauty, and goodness in the Church. As you investigate her founding by Christ, and the lives and teachings of the earliest Christians, you will see our Lord’s unfailing love throughout the centuries for his bride, the Church.

Inquiry is for those 18 and older who have not been baptized, were baptized in a non-Catholic Church or community, or were baptized Catholic, but have not yet received first Holy Communion and/or Confirmation.

The purpose of Inquiry is to allow you the opportunity to ask questions. Our goal is to provide what the Church teaches about those questions to allow you to make an informed decision about moving forward in receiving the sacraments.

Come learn about the Inquiry process at Saint Brigid, where you can ask the questions that you need answered and learn more about the Church that Christ built.

If you are interested in finding out more about becoming Catholic, please contact Todd Coury for more information.

 Baptisms at Saint Brigid

Parish Registration: Parents of the child to be baptized should be registered members of Saint Brigid Church. If you are not yet registered, please register at the Parish Office or complete the online registration form on the Saint Brigid website.

If you belong to another parish, but wish to have the baptism at Saint Brigid for family reasons, we can help you with that.  You will need a letter of permission from your pastor.

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Baptism Classes

Parents are required to attend a Baptism Class before the baptism.  The class is scheduled once a month on a Sunday:  3:15-4:30pm in the chapel.  

Future Baptism Class Dates 

2024:  July 21    Aug 18    Sept 15    Oct 20    Nov 17    Dec 15

2025:  Jan 19    Feb 16    March 16    April 13   May 18   June 8

July 20   Aug 17   Sept 21   Oct 19    Nov 16    Dec 21

• To Sign Up for Class:  Email baptisms@saintbrigid.org to reserve your space in a class.  Include the names of all who will be attending and the date of the class you wish to attend.
• You may attend a baptism preparation class at another parish if necessary, then provide a letter or verification of attendance from that parish indicating the class date.
•  Parents are asked to attend a class for each child, not just their oldest child*
• * If you attended a class in the past 24 months let us know.  You can receive credit for that one

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Scheduling a Baptism

Baptisms at Saint Brigid are private family baptisms, scheduled in the Adoration Chapel at the following times:

• Saturdays:  10:30 & 11:30am, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 & 3:30pm
• Sunday afternoons:  2:30 pm & 3:30 pm

We recommend that you check with invited friends and family members about their availability before selecting a specific date.  Plan to arrive at the church 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

Children receiving the Sacrament of Baptism should be dressed in a white gown or outfit. The Parish will provide the Baptismal Candle and a Baptismal Bib as a symbolic gift from the Parish.

A Certificate of Baptism will be provided at the baptism or mailed to shortly afterward.  Please keep this certificate in a safe place.  It will be needed when registering for religious education or preparing for future sacraments.

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Information about Sponsors (commonly called Godparents)

At baptism, the sponsor (or Godparent) begins a life-long relationship with their godchild by praying for and supporting their godchild in faith, as well as providing an example of the Catholic faith in action.   Hopefully the godparent and godchild will develop a close personal bond as well.

You may choose one or two sponsors for your child.  Only one is necessary.  At least one sponsor must be an active, practicing Catholic (see qualifications below).   The other godparent may be a Christian of another denomination

Sponsor Guidelines and Qualifications 

(from Canon 872-874 of the Catholic Church – The Catholic sponsor must meet all listed qualifications)

• A sponsor must be at least 16 years of age.
• A sponsor must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.
• A sponsor must be a practicing Catholic, registered in a parish and regularly attending Mass
• A sponsor must be leading a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken; therefore, if married, must be married in the Church.

You may have two sponsors, but only one is required for baptism. If there are two sponsors, they must be a man and a woman (a godmother and godfather).

If the sponsor is not able to attend the baptism, he/she may be represented by a proxy.

Sponsor Certificate   A Catholic sponsor will need to complete a sponsor certificate and have it signed by their pastor at their home parish.  A blank sponsor certificate is attached to this email, or they may use whatever form is used at their home parish.   At least one sponsor must be Catholic and provide the signed certificate.

Christian Witness  A Christian who is not Catholic cannot officially be a Catholic sponsor, but if they are living their Christian faith they can stand with the Catholic sponsor as a “Christian Witness” to the baptism.   In this case there would be one Catholic sponsor and one Christian Witness at the baptism. (both would be considered godparents)  A Christian Witness does not need to provide a signed sponsor certificate.

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Visiting Clergy

If you wish to ask a Priest or Deacon from another parish to officiate at the baptism, please contact your clergy first to confirm his willingness and availability. Then either you or the clergy should contact baptisms@saintbrigid.org to schedule the baptism.

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Contact our Baptism Coordinator, Kathy Hogan at baptisms@saintbrigid.org for more information and to request your child’s baptism.

We look forward to helping you plan your child’s baptism!

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Duplicate Baptism Certificates

Duplicate certificates are provided upon request. Please allow 10-14 days for the certificate to be prepared and signed by the pastor.

To request a certificate, send the following information to Kathy Hogan at baptisms@saintbrigid.org

• Full Name of Baptized Person
• Their date of birth and city of birth
• Date of baptism (approximate is fine)
• Father’s Full Name
• Mother’s Full Name (include maiden name)
• Your email address  (a scanned copy will be emailed to you)
• Mailing address for the hard copy (the hard copy will be mailed to the address you provide)

Questions? Email Kathy Hogan at baptisms@saintbrigid.org.

How Do I Become Catholic?

Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil,  thousands are baptized into the Catholic Church in the United States.  Parishes welcome these new Catholics through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.

The OCIA process is for people who are interested in the Roman Catholic faith and who would like question and/or pursue learning about our religion and join our community of believers.

Maybe you are looking to be Baptized Catholic.  Perhaps you are married to a Catholic and wish to find out more about your spouse’s faith.  Perhaps you are already a Catholic and never received your First Eucharist and Confirmation.  Or perhaps you are baptized in another Christian faith but have thought about becoming a Catholic. The Order of Christian Initiation Journey in Faith is for all of you!

Catechumens (those who wish to be baptized in the Catholic faith and become full members) and Candidates (those wishing to complete their initiation in the Catholic Church by receiving the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation) are guided by catechists, sponsors, and parish staff who welcome them and accompany them on their faith journey.

Becoming a Catholic is not just a matter of learning and accepting several beliefs.  It is a process of growth and conversation, as well as growing into a particular Catholic community or parish.

You will need a sponsor who will pray for and support you on your journey.  The sponsor is meant to be a fellow pilgrim on the journey and must be a Catholic.  The sponsor may be a spouse or friend.   However, if the inquirer does know anyone suitable, the parish will be happy to suggest someone.

Ordinary parishioners can join this journey of faith, and many find the sessions helpful in developing their knowledge of their Catholic faith and their understanding of its traditions.  As you learn, you may even become a “parish sponsor” for those seeking to join the Church.

Who should participate in OCIA?

• Those adults (18+) who want to become Catholic and have never been baptized, or
• are baptized, but not in the Catholic Church
• Those adults (18+) who were baptized in the Catholic Church and
• never received First Communion and Confirmation, or
• never received Confirmation

Contact Deacon Leo Gahafer with any questions.

Drawn by lives of believers, hundreds exploring the faith  

Did your child miss their First Holy Communion?

If you have a child OVER the age of 7, is baptized Catholic or in the Christian faith, who have not yet received their First Holy Communion, this sacrament can be received through the Rite of Christian for Children.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC):

• • The RCIC program is designed for children who are baptized Catholics or belong to the Christian faith and have not yet received their First Holy Communion.
  • It teaches the basics of the Catholic faith and prepares children for the sacraments of Baptism (if needed), First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation.
  • The program follows liturgical Rites and guides both children and their families through the process.
  • Classes typically run on Sundays during the academic year, with Mass attendance at 9:00 am and class from 10:20 am to 12:20 pm.
  • The Sacrament of First Holy Communion is celebrated at the Easter Vigil.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Children with Special Needs:

• There are special formation programs available for children older than 7 years old for those with special needs.

These programs ensure that every child has the opportunity to receive the sacraments and grow in their faith.

We encourage our parishioners to make plans in advance to ensure that your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are not burdened in their time of grief.

Please contact the parish office at 678-393-0060 for more information on pre-planning for a funeral.