An infant should be baptized within the first few weeks after birth, or as soon as possible. For a licit baptism of an infant, there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion; if such a hope is altogether lacking, the baptism is to be put off
The Code of Canon Law, #868
Registration is required.
Please provide the parish office with a birth certificate upon registration
(this can be e-mailed with the registration form as well).
Baptism classes should be completed prior to the scheduled baptism.
Godparents or Sponsors
The child must have at least one official Sponsor or Godparent, who is at least 16 years old; a baptised Catholic who has received the sacraments of Holy Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation; who is currently practicing his/her Catholic faith; and if married, was married in the Catholic Church by a priest or deacon. Each Godparent or Sponsor must attend a baptism class. Only one official Godparent is required. Others, however, may fully participate in the baptism as a Christian Witness.
Baptism Classes for Parents and Godparents
We currently do not currently offer baptism classes at this time
Please call the rectory office at 916-481-7441 to schedule your baptism or complete the form/e-mail the information to office@presentationparish.org to start the process.
Donation
WHAT THE SAINTS SAY ABOUT BAPTISM
Baptism is the Sacrament of Faith. Now, dead faith does not suffice for salvation .. .Therefore, the Sacrament of Baptism cannot give salvation to a man whose will ... expels the form of faith.
- St. Thomas Aquinas
Knowing that there is one Baptism, we who hold the head and root of the One Church know for certain that to him who is outside the Church nothing is lawful.
- St. Cyprian
Baptism is not to be conferred on a man who is unwilling to give up his other sins, so neither should Baptism be given to one who is unwilling to renounce his unbelief. Nevertheless, each of them receives the Sacrament if it is conferred on him, although not unto salvation.
- St. Thomas Aquinas
Although among heretics and schismatics there is the same Baptism, nevertheless, the remission of sins is not operative among them because of the very rottenness of discord and wickedness of dissension ... Baptism was in them, but it did not profit them outside the Church ... Outside the Church, Baptism works death because of discord.
- St. Augustine