St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church

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. 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.

Baptisms are celebrated in the church on Sunday afternoons at 12:45 and 1:15 pm. No more than two babies are baptized at each time. To sign up for a baptism preparation session, or to arrange for a baptism, please call the parish office