BAPTISM
“Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ’s Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God.” -The Book of Common Prayer, page 858
Baptism in the Episcopal Church is one of two primary outward symbols we use to signify our relationship with God. In Baptism we share in Christ’s own baptism, his death, and his resurrection and are initiated by water and the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ, the Church.
Persons of any age may be baptized, provided they or their families have an existing relationship with St. Patrick's. Adults considering baptism for themselves are encouraged to attend Journey in Faith, a catechumenate class which provides for an exploration of our faith and personal beliefs and relationship with God. This class begins each September and runs through May, culminating with confirmation, baptism, or reaffirmation upon the Bishop's visit to St. Patrick's in the spring. When children are baptized, the candidate, parents and godparents are required to attend baptismal instruction classes held prior to the date of baptism.
Any person already baptized can be registered as a baptized member of this church. “Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the Church.” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 298) The Episcopal Church recognizes as valid any baptism administered with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost
If you were not baptized in an Episcopal Church, simply write or call the church office, enclosing a copy of your baptismal or confirmation certificate, and ask to be registered as a baptized member. If you do not have a certificate, please write with details of when, where and in what denomination you were baptized.
The Book of Common Prayer outlines the four times baptism is celebrated at St. Patrick’s. These dates are:
the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord with its focus on new birth (The Gospel of John’s emphasis)
the Easter Vigil with a focus on baptism as death and resurrection (St. Paul’s vision)
the Day of Pentecost with its focus on Baptism as the receiving of the Holy Spirit (The Gospel of Luke’s emphasis)
the Sunday after All Saints’ Day with its focus on the reception into the communion of saints
Other dates may be discussed with the clergy for pastoral considerations only in cases of extreme emergency. Please call the parish office at 918-294-9444 to arrange a consultation with one of the clergy.
