The Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism is the sacrament by which one is freed of original sin and is brought into the life of the Church. Baptism washes away original sin, and incorporates one into the body of Christ - the Church.
We celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism on the second Sunday of the month at 1:30 PM (except during Lent or when otherwise noted). Please call the rectory for an appointment at least one month in advance and fill out the form at the bottom of this page.
Preparing for Child Baptism
To begin the process of baptizing a child under the age of 7, a family has prayed and has chosen to have their child baptized in to the Catholic faith community. When you are preparing a child for baptism, the consent of at least one parent is required.
Role of Godparents
The parent(s) of the child to be baptized will select a man and a woman to act as the child's godfather and godmother. Both candidates must be practicing Catholics (having had all of the Sacraments of Initiation, and if married, was married in the Church). A person who has been baptized in a Christian denomination other than Catholicism, he/she may take the role as a Christian witness. However, one candidate must be a fully initiated Catholic and is practicing their faith.
Preparing for Adult Baptism
If you are an adult and would like to prepare for baptism, the ordinary course for receiving the Sacrament of Baptism is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). RCIA is typically a two-year long rite in which one engages with a group of other believers as they break open the Scriptures, understand how Christ has spoken to us and what the responsibilities are of the Christian faith. When a person feels that they are prepared to receive the Sacrament of Baptism, they then receive it together with the Sacraments of Confirmation Holy Eucharist.
If you are interested in RCIA, curious about the process, or know someone who might like to be a part of this process at St. Kevin, please contact the Religious Education Office at (718) 357-5317 or the Rectory (718) 357-8888 and leave your name and telephone number. We wish to assist you, answer your questions and be of support in whatever way we can. As you discern God’s will for you, know that you will be in our prayers.
Is there a Role for the Community in the RCIA?
YES! WE are ALL responsible to build the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth!
The entire Christian community is responsible for the initiation of its newest disciples. Here are some specific ways:
As mentoring community. Every baptized parishioner has a role in initiation of our new members. We are part of that mentoring community that apprentices the new disciples. By observing our prayer, words, deeds and actions in the parish and in the broader community our newest members learn what it means to live as a Catholic Christian today. We provide the examples. We are the models. RCIA depends on us because we make up the Christian community.
As sponsors. In addition to the prayers we offer for our candidates and the examples we provide, there are other specific ways parishioners are involved in RCIA. Baptized members of the community serve as sponsors for candidates in the RCIA. A sponsor is an active member of the parish who walks with the candidate on the journey to new, fuller life in Christ. The sponsor supports and guides the candidate along the way. The sponsor is the candidate’s personal connection to the parish.
As members of the Sunday assembly. There is one other way that every worshiping parishioner is involved in the RCIA. That’s through participation in the liturgical rites of initiation that usually happen at Sunday Mass, especially in the months before Easter but also throughout the year. There are major liturgical rituals that mark the progress of the candidates who are in the initiation process. These liturgical rites are major events not only for the candidates in the process, but also for the entire parish. During the rites the parish recognizes and celebrates the candidates. As a member of the parish you are asked to pray with and for those in the initiation process. As a member of the Body of Christ, you also make manifest Christ’s presence in the community. You, and we, are a sign of Christ to the candidates in the RCIA.”
May God continue to bless us and May St. Kevin intercede for us as we journey toward our Celebration of the Liturgical Rites of Initiation.
If you have a child over the age of seven but not more than 18 years of age, that child would participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC), adapted from the RCIA. This Rite is typically several years-long by which the child learns about the faith, is able to make a mature decision to embrace the Christian faith and living as a Catholic, the child is then Baptized, and then receives Confirmation and Holy Communion.
Would you like to register yourself or your child for a baptism?
- Complete the form below.
- Once your form is received and approved by the parish, you will receive an email or phone call with next steps for an in-person appointment.
- Locate yours or your child's birth certificate and make sure you bring that to the meeting with the parish.
