The Catholic Church believes and teaches that Baptism is a sacrament, recognition of the life of Christ in the infant and a welcoming into this Christian faith and community. As a sacrament, it brings with it responsibilities and commitments to share the gift of faith. For an infant, that faith and commitment must come from the parents and sponsors.
The sacrament reflects the need for parents to publicly commit themselves to sustaining and nourishing the child's faith. It is this public decision of the parents, supported and modeled by the Godparents, following study and reflection that is celebrated.
Requirements for sacrament of Baptism:
At least one parent must be a practicing and active Catholic who will rear the infant as a Catholic Christian. Parents who are not practicing their faith have no right to make commitments for their infants unless they are willing to make a serious decision to renew the practice of their faith at this time.
Catholic parents and Godparent(s) for the child must attend the Baptism preparation program before their child's baptism, unless they are excused or have attended the program in the past two years.
You must be a registered parishioner six months prior to date of Baptism, or live within the Holy Trinity parish boundaries: 75204, 05, 07, 09, 19, 35. Persons who grew up in Holy Trinity Parish but have married and moved away are expected to celebrate the baptism of their children in the Catholic Church where they are presently members.
The Preparation Program:
This program gives parents and Godparents an opportunity to reflect on their own faith, to learn more about the meaning of the sacrament of Baptism, and to be made aware of the responsibilities of being Catholic parents or sponsors at baptism.
Godparents:
A Godparent is a person who will assist or take the place of the parents (in case of disability or death) in bringing the newly baptized up in the Catholic faith. Every newly baptized must have a least one Godparent.
A Godparent must be a practicing Catholic, at least 16 years old who has celebrated the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. If the Godparent is unable to attend the baptism, another person may stand in as a proxy for the Godparent.
When:
English Baptisms are celebrated communally the first Sunday of every month at 2:30 pm except during Lent.
Spanish Baptisms are celebrated communally on the third Sunday of the month during the 12:30 pm Mass.
All parents and Godparents are required to attend a pre-baptism preparation class preceding the baptismal celebration. The classes are held monthly. Please call the Pastoral Center for the schedule of classes.
For additional information contact the office at 214-526-8555, Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm.