Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word.”

Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because of the character Baptism cannot be repeated

HOLY TRINITY BAPTISM PROCEDURE

PARENTS:
Preferred day of celebration is Sunday at 11:15am. Please contact the rectory at 845-452-1863 Mon-Fri, 11am-4pm to make arrangements.

If this is your first child being baptized, a Baptism Preparation Class is mandatory. It is typically held on the First Thursday of the month at 7pm in the church.

The Sacrament of Baptism should be celebrated in the parish where the parents reside. However, the Baptism can take place at Holy Trinity if the parents obtain a Letter of Permission from their home parish, attend the baptismal preparation program of their home parish, and provide proof of completion.

The Godparent is a most important person in the life of an infant, child or adult who is to be baptized. The Godparent is:
1.  a spiritual role model
2.  an example of the Christian life and
3.  the official representative of the Body of Christ, the Church, into which an infant/child/adult is being baptized.

Because of these three responsibilities, the Catholic Church has some minimum requirements  it  asks all  Godparents  to fulfill in order to serve in this role.

There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor, or one of each. 

NOTE ABOUT PROXIES: A Godparent is not required to be present for a baptism. When a Godparent cannot be present, the parent may ask someone to stand in as a proxy for the Godparent (as long as the proxy is not one of the parents).

GODPARENT REQUIREMENTS:

• RELIGIOUS DENOMINATION: A Godparent must be a Roman Catholic because the Godparent is an official representative of the Catholic Church. A Christian baptized in a non-Catholic Church may not participate, but may serve as a Christian Witness for the baptism, together with the Catholic Godparent. Non-Christians may not serve as a Godparent or Christian Witness.

• MINIMUM AGE: A Godparent must generally be 16 years of age by the date of the baptism. For exceptions, see a Catholic priest or the minister who will officiate for the baptism.

• SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION: A Godparent is a Baptized Catholic who has received First Holy Communion and Confirmation in the Catholic Church.

• FREEDOM TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENTS: The Godparent is a practicing Catholic who is free to receive Holy Communion when he or she comes to Mass.

• MARITAL STATUS: A Catholic Godparent who is married must be in a marriage that is recognized by the Catholic Church (either in a Catholic Church ceremony or in a church/synagogue ceremony with the permission of the Catholic Church. Catholics presently in civil or common law marriages are not eligible to serve as a Godparent.

THE SPONSOR FORM:
The signed sponsor form/letter attests to the requirements above. Bring the completed form to the priest, deacon or pastoral minister of your parish to sign the document and place the parish seal on it. Please return the original signed and sealed document to the Holy Trinity Parish Office (Rectory) during business hours.