Baptism
Our Baptisms are celebrated on Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Please contact Alexandra Munoz in the Parish Office to set up an interview and answer any questions or concerns that you may have regarding your child's baptism.
For your convenience, please CLICK HERE to download a Baptism Form. Contact Alexandra Munoz at (813) 961-3023 or email at amunoz@stpaulchurch.com
The sacrament of baptism ushers us into the divine life, cleanses us from sin, and initiates us as members of the Christian community. It is the foundation for the sacramental life.
At baptism, the presider prays over the water:
Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Holy Spirit give to this water the grace of your Son, so that in the sacrament of baptism all those whom you have created in your likeness may be cleansed from sin and rise to a new birth of innocence by water and the Holy Spirit. (Christian Initiation of Adults, #222A)
Freed from Sin
Baptism frees us from the bondage of original and actual sin. Water is poured in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Today, the sacrament of baptism is often performed on infants, shortly after birth. Adult baptisms take place at the Easter Vigil through the restored Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Adults or children who have been baptized in a valid Christian church are not baptized again in the Catholic church. As we say in the Nicene Creed, “I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins…”
The Catechism teaches:
"The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ" (CCC 1279).
Baptismal Symbols
- Water – The waters of baptism recall Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Water is a symbol of cleansing and renewal as we begin a new life in Christ. We are washed clean of sin.
- Oil – At baptism we are anointed into the life of Christ as “priest, prophet and king.” A cross is traced on the candidate’s forehead as a reminder that we are inheritors of the Kingdom of God.
- Light – The baptismal candle is lit from the Paschal or Easter candle that stands in the church as a sign of Christ’s light in the world. At baptism, we receive the light of Christ and are called forth to share this light with the world.
- White garment – The white garment that is placed upon us at baptism is a symbol of Christ’s victory over death and his glorious resurrection. Likewise, the white garment or pall that is placed over the coffin at the time of death recalls our baptismal promises and reminds us that we are destined for eternal life.
While in ordinary circumstances, sacraments in the Catholic Church are administered validly by a member of the ordained clergy, in an emergency situation, the sacrament of baptism can be administered by anyone.
In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pour water on the candidates head while saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (CCC 1284).
Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. (John 3:5)
Baptism Request Form .doc
Baptism Request Form .pdf
Contact :
Alexandra Munoz
Baptism Coordinator
amunoz@stpaulchurch.com
God reaches out to us in all kinds of ways. The desire in your heart to baptize your child is one of them. The promises you make for your child on this day will begin to form your child into a faith-filled and faithful follower of Christ. But the day of baptism is only the beginning of this Journey. Being baptized is literally a life changing event and not just for your child.
The Sacrament of Baptism in St. Paul take place on the first three Saturday’s in English and the fourth Saturday in Spanish. If your child is to be baptized in Portuguese, please contact Alexandra Munoz, for more information by email at amunoz@stpaulchurch.com or by phone at (813) 961-3023. Parents and Godparents will be asked to attend a Session before Baptism.
“Baptism incorporates us into the life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the world”
Dios nos alcanza a través de infinidad de caminos. El deseo en su corazón de bautizar a su hijo es uno de ellos. Las promesas que usted hace a su hijo en este día empezaran a moldear a su hijo en una fe completa y los hará seguidores creyentes de Cristo. Pero el día del bautizo es solamente el comienzo de este camino. Ser bautizado es literalmente un evento que cambiara no solamente a su hijo.
El Sacramento del Bautismo en St. Paul tendrá lugar los tres primeros sábados en Ingles y el cuarto sábado del mes en español. Si su hijo necesita ser bautizado en portugués, por favor comunicarse con el Coordinador de Bautismo en la Iglesia de St. Paul, Alexandra Munoz, al número de teléfono 813-264-3311 o mcosta@stpaulchurch.com. Además los Padres y Padrinos deben asistir a la Sesión de preparación antes del Bautismo.
“El Bautismo nos incorpora en la Vida, Muerte, y Resurrección de Cristo y el continuo trabajo del Espíritu Santo en el Mundo.”
