Infant baptism is a sacred moment in the life of a family and in the life of our parish community. The family brings a child to the church to be baptized. The church, in turn, gratefully affirms and supports the child while he or she grows in faith.

 

At St. Mary of Vernon, we welcome everyone requesting baptism for children. To sign up for a baptism preparation session, or to arrange for a baptism, please call the parish office.

 

Baptism Preparation Sessions 

 

We hope that the experience of baptism will be one of joy, filled with promise and hope. To help parents to more fully celebrate the child’s baptism, baptism preparation sessions take place at the parish on the second Sunday of every month at 6:30 pm in the narthex (gathering space) of church. The sessions last about one hour.

 

At these informal sessions, trained facilitators discuss with parents: what to expect on the day of baptism; the meaning of the symbols and questions that you will encounter at the baptism rite; and ways to nurture children’s spirituality, at home and in the parish. There is always time for questions.

 

Parents in the last months of pregnancy are invited and encouraged to attend the baptism preparation session. New parents are welcome to bring your infants. We ask that you please make arrangements for older siblings if at all possible. Please call the parish office at 847-362-1005 no later than the Thursday prior to the class to reserve your space.

 

Baptism Schedule

 

Besides offering baptisms in the early afternoon on most Sundays of the year, we will offer baptisms at Mass periodically throughout the parish year. We will offer baptisms at one Sunday Mass approximately every two months.

 

Whether celebrating baptisms in the early afternoon or at one of our Sunday Masses, it is our custom here at St. Mary of Vernon to only schedule two baptisms at any one time so we can give some personal attention to each family.

 

Baptism at Mass 

 

It is so important for the Church that we celebrate Baptism (and the other sacraments) within the Christian assembly, with the local parish community, family and friends, all present and participating and sharing in the joy and the experience. This occurs best when the sacrament of baptism is incorporated on occasion into the parish Sunday Masses.

 

Why? Because baptism happens not only to the individual, but also to Christ’s body, the Church! It is the community, after all, who is welcoming the new members, journeying with them, providing models for them, supporting them and nourishing them. According to the Rite, this practice is to be encouraged at least periodically because it enables the entire community to be present and brings out clearly the relationship between baptism and the Eucharist.

 

“The Christian community welcomes you with great joy.” These are the words of the priest at the beginning of Baptism. Therefore it is wonderful if the community is gathered to welcome these new Christians. Baptism is so often seen as a private family function rather than a celebration of a Sacrament that affects the whole community. When you think about it, if so many people gather to say farewell to a member of the community at a funeral why not have as many present to welcome a new member among us during the celebration of Baptism? It is also an opportunity for each person to revisit and think about our own Baptismal calling. Especially in our new church with its significant, flowing baptismal font, the assembly’s participation is enhanced because most will be able to both see and hear what is happening during the ritual.

 

From personal experience we know that nothing quite touches or emphasizes anew the meaning of our own baptism than an assembly sharing in the joy of a vulnerable baby dripping from the waters of baptism. Sharing Eucharist together after such an experience enriches our expression of sharing in one faith and one baptism from generation to generation.