"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, 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" (Catechism, 1213).
Sacrament of Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism is the first sacrament we receive when we become members of the Church. If you have a child that is under the age of six (6) years old and would like to have your child baptized, please contact the Rectory at 215-947-3500.
For Children Receiving the Sacrament of Baptism
Baptisms are offered every Sunday. To schedule a Baptism, please contact the Rectory to arrange a date. A Pre-Jordan Class is required for all parents preparing for the baptism of a child. This class is held on the first Wednesday of every month. The class is held in the Rectory at 7 PM. Our hope is that this preparatory class will help parents to more fully understand the nature and purpose of the sacrament and the responsibility they are undertaking by having their child baptized. The class also allows parents to meet with other parents who will journey with them and their child, thus building up our parish and the Church. To register for a Pre-Jordan Class call the Parish Office at 215- 947-3500 or email Christine Regan.
If you have a priest or deacon who is a close friend or relative, they are most welcome to celebrate the baptism of your child. You can make such arrangements when you contact the rectory.
Children Over the Age of 7
The Church considers children over the age of seven as being of catechetical age (i.e., they are capable of receiving instruction on the sacraments and their faith). As such, they are prepared for baptism through the parish school or parish Religious Education Program (CCD). If you have a child over the age of seven who you wish to have baptized, please contact the Director of Religious Education at 215-947-3641 or via email to make the necessary arrangements.
For Adults Receiving the Sacrament of Baptism
An unbaptized adult becomes a Catholic through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). These individuals journey with a sponsor and RCIA team members over a period of time: inquiry, instruction, sharing faith and life experiences, conversion. Participants meet weekly on a regular basis. Parish members serve as team members on the journey of faith. If you or someone you know are interested in being baptized, please contact the Rectory at 215-947-3500.
Godparents
"For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents' help is important. So too is the role of the godfather and godmother, who must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized - child or adult - on the road of Christian life" (Catechism 1255).
Godparents are charged with the responsibility of assisting with the development and safeguarding of the grace given at Baptism. Due to the importance of their role, godparents must obtain a letter of eligibility from their parishes to certify that they meet the Church's requirements for this role. This letter must be submitted to the rectory of St. Albert the Great two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled Baptism date. The Church's requirements for a godparent are listed below for your information:
- A child must have at least one eligible godparent; he or she may have two godparents, in which case one is a man and the other is a woman.
- The godparent must not be a parent of the one to be baptized.
- The godparent must be:
- at least sixteen years of age;
- a fully-initiated Catholic; that is, he or she has received Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion;
- a practicing Catholic; that is, he or she attends Mass every Sunday and holyday, receives the sacraments regularly, and, if married, is married in the Church.
- Along with an eligible godparent, a baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic Christian church or ecclesial community (i.e., Episcopal, Protestant, evangelical, etc.) may be admitted as a Christian witness to the baptism.
(Code of Canon Law, c. 874; cf. Catechism, 1255)
