Infant Baptism

The Rite of Baptism for Children includes these words, "The Christian community welcomes you with great joy." And it is also with great joy that St. Mary's helps parents prepare for the baptism of their baby. In bringing forward your child for baptism, you seek to make a permanent connection between your child and Christ with the Christian community. No matter how close or distant your own relationship with God, the new life of your child has stirred a desire in you to seek baptism for him or her. In this sacrament, the Christian community promises to walk beside you in nurturing the faith of your child.

Baptism Preparation

If this is your first time bringing a child forward for baptism, it is a requirement of the Diocese of Paterson that both parents participate in one baptism preparation session. The preparation session usually takes place the fourth Monday of the month prior to your baby's baptism and will be scheduled at the time you arrange for your baby's baptism. If you have already had a child baptized at St. Mary's, you need not attend the preparation session again.

Options for Celebrating the Baptism of Your Child

Baptism ceremonies (not a mass) are held in the church at 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm on most Saturdays and 1:30pm on most Sundays of the month. A maximum of 2 families will be scheduled at these ceremonies.

You may also have your child individually baptized during one of our regular weekend liturgies. The Church does not permit the celebration of Baptism within the Mass during the seasons of Advent and Lent.

Adult Baptism

We welcome people of all ages into our community. The process for welcoming adults into the Roman Catholic faith is known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Please click the link for more information. RCIA