Sacrament of Baptism

- Sacrament of Baptism
  
  "Baptism is a precious, beautiful, grace-filled moment. [We should] approach this sacrament - and every sacrament with awe, humility and a sense of gratitude." ~ Deacon Greg Kandra
  
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  Congratulations on the birth of your child! As the first Sacrament of Initiation in the Catholic Church, Baptism is a time of joy and holds special blessings for the family. It is a time to welcome your child to the Catholic Church and to the St. Matthew’s Parish family. We are happy to share in this joyous moment in your lives and celebrate your child’s Baptism at St. Matthew the Apostle Parish.
  
  As parents, you are choosing to have your child baptized and take on the responsibility to raise your child in the Catholic Church. We honor and recognize that you, as the parent/guardian, are making a promise to take this journey with your child. We acknowledge that the parent is the first teacher and role model of the Catholic faith. We welcome and encourage your active participation in preparing your child for a lifetime of spiritual growth and development.
  
  Baptism - Preparation Process
  
  We have instituted a Baptism Preparation Program to ensure a greater outreach and opportunity for evangelization. Baptism is the beginning of the child’s journey towards full initiation into the Catholic Church. The overall focus of the program is to offer the opportunity to deepen one’s faith commitment, to better understand the gift and challenge of Christian parenting, and to come together to find support in knowing other members of our parish.
  
  The first step to schedule a baptism is confirm that the parents of the child to be baptized are active, registered Parishioners at St. Matthew’s. If you are not registered, please register on our website – click the home button above and select Join Our Parish. Your registration will be processed within 48 hours. Newly registered families must wait one month before scheduling a baptism. During that time, we look forward to celebrating mass with you and welcoming you to the St. Matthew’s Parish family.
  
  If you are registered and active at a different parish and do not want to join St. Matthew’s, please provide a letter of permission from your current parish stating that you are an active Parishioner; however, you would like your child’s baptism to be celebrated at St. Matthew’s.
  
  Family Information Sheet: Families must complete the Family Information Sheet (link found below) and submit the form to the Parish office. To avoid any delays, please read the form and complete all information. The information requested is needed to complete your child’s Baptismal certificate.
  
  Baptisms are celebrated on the 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of the month at 12:30 pm or 1:15 pm. We also welcome you to celebrate Baptism on the 4^th Sunday of the month during the 11:00 am mass. Note that the schedule is subject to change as we do not schedule Baptism on Holy days, Holidays (Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, etc.) or during the season of Lent. The Parish office will provide a list of available dates. Baptism is scheduled on a first-come, first celebrated basis.
  
  Note that the date is not confirmed until you receive an email from the Parish secretary.
  
  Godparent Selection: Parents must select Godparent(s) for their child. It is important to understand that being a sponsor is not just an honor given to a friend or relative. Sponsorship implies an appreciation of faith, a practice of the same and a sense of responsibility toward the person being baptized or confirmed. The Godparent bears the responsibility of providing spiritual witness to your child as to how to live the Catholic faith in everyday life.
  
  Canon Laws 873 & 874 detail the requirements for being a Godparent including: Godparent must be 16 years of age, have completed the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, and be a practicing Catholic. For complete information, please click the link below for the Godparent Certification form.
  
  The Godparent should complete the certification form and have it signed and sealed by his or her Parish Priest. The original form with the raised seal must be submitted to the St. Matthew’s Parish office prior to scheduling the Baptism.
  
  Baptism Preparation Class: Prior to celebrating Baptism, parents must attend Baptism Preparation Class. The class will help the parent/guardian to understand the full meaning of baptizing a child in the Catholic faith. Baptismal Preparation is held at St. Matthew’s on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm and is run by one of our Deacons (available dates are listed below). Note that classes are good for three years. *Parents need only attend one class of their choosing. Godparents are not required to attend.
  
  Baptism Preparation Class - 2024
  *second Wednesday of each month (unless noted)
  January 10, *February 21, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12,
  July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11
  
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  *Effective October 15, 2023*
  
  Before you may secure a date for your child’s Baptism, the completed family information sheet and the signed and sealed Godparent certification forms MUST be submitted to the Parish Office along with the $100 suggested Baptism donation. Please be sure to confirm that the Godparent certification form contains the signature of the Parish priest AND the raised seal from the sponsor's church. Forms without a signature and seal will not be accepted. Please mail or drop off all forms to the Parish office located at 335 Dover Chester Road, Randolph, NJ 07869. Once forms and payment are received by the Parish Secretary AND you have scheduled your Baptism Preparation class, you may schedule your child’s baptism.
  
  If you would like information about having your child baptized at St. Matthew's or if you have any questions, please contact the Parish Secretary, MaryAnn Spagnuolo, in the Parish office (973) 584-1101, ext. 205 or via email: [email protected].
- Baptism Documents
  
  Baptism - Family Information Sheet
  
  Baptism - Godparent Certification Form