The sacrament of baptism ushers us into the divine life, cleanses us from sin, and initiates us as members of the Christian community. It is the foundation for the sacramental life.
At baptism, the presider prays over the water:
Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give to this water the grace of your Son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit. (Christian Initiation of Adults, #222A)
Baptism frees us from the bondage of original and actual sin. Water is poured in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Today, the sacrament of baptism is often performed on infants, shortly after birth. Adult baptisms take place at the Easter Vigil through the restored Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Adults or children who have been baptized in a valid Christian church are not baptized again in the Catholic church. As we say in the Nicene Creed, “I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins…”
"The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ" (CCC 1279).
While in ordinary circumstances, sacraments in the Catholic Church are administered validly by a member of the ordained clergy, in an emergency situation, the sacrament of baptism can be administered by anyone.
In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pour water on the candidates head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1284).
Baptism Class is held the first Sunday of every month from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Community Room. It is intended for first time parents and is not required if you attended a previous Baptism class. Baptisms are held on the remaining Sundays of the month.
To Schedule a Baptism for your child or to register for a Baptism Class, please call the Parish Office at 440-871-1100.
If you are interested in Baptism for yourself or an older child, you are most welcome to call the Parish Office for additional information.
Saint Raphael Catholic Church
525 Dover Center Rd, Bay Village, Ohio 44140
Parish Office: (440) 871-1100
Email: info@saintraphaelparish.com
School Office: (440) 871-6760
Parish Office Hours
Monday - Thursday: 9:00am - 8:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 3:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: Welcome Center for weekend Masses
Cluster Parishes
Saint Joseph (Avon Lake) &
Holy Spirit (Avon Lake)
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