Water = washing
Oil [Sacred Chrism] = anointing/sealing with the Holy Spirit
Candles = light of Christ
White Gown = purity
Going in and out of the water = dying and rising

Holy Baptism is the base 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: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213

Preparation for sacraments is highly recommended, encouraged, and mandated by the Catholic Church before the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Marriage, and Holy Orders are celebrated.  The Diocese of Sioux City mandates that “Every parish or group of parishes shall ensure sacramental preparation for parents prior to the baptism of each child.  Godparents may also be encouraged to participate.  Good pastoral discretion is to be used for appropriate catechesis for parents with a child born soon after the baptism of a sibling.”  The Diocese recommends that parents may be excused from baptism preparation if they have taken part in preparation for the baptism of a sibling within one to two years prior to the baptism of their new child.  I recommend baptism class every five years for parents expecting another child.

Parents expecting a child are expected to attend the Baptism Class offered quarterly in our cluster.  Parents who have taken part in preparation for the baptism of a sibling within five years prior to the baptism of their new child are excused, but should notify the pastor of the pending birth and baptism.  Godparents from other parishes are required to complete a “Godparent in Good Standing” form with their pastor.

For baptisms of persons from other parishes, the permission of the proper pastor is required.

After Baptism Class has been completed, a date for baptism can be scheduled with the pastor.

If you are expecting a child within the next nine months, please Jeff and Michelle Wilson at wilsonjm@mchsi.com or 712-225-0785 to register for class.

For more information go to FAITH FORMATION and click on the Baptism Class page.

1. The removal of both Original Sin and personal sin
2. The sealing with the Holy Spirit.  In otherwords, at Baptism God saved us and marked us as His as we became a "new creature" in Christ and became part of the Church, the body of Christ.

see CCC 1262, 1265