Through the Sacrament of Baptism, parents and Godparents assume a big responsibility to teach their child to know and love God and His Church.  These lessons of faith are best taught in the home on a daily basis.
 

Baptism classes are offered the first Saturday of each month. 

English classes are at 11:00 AM
at St Joseph Parish Center.

Spanish classes are at 10:00 AM
at St Mary A/C room.

Parents and God parents are encouraged to participate in these classes prior to the birth of the child.

Are Catholics Born Again?

Early Teachings on Infant Baptism

Baptisms
For those 7 years of age and under

Baptism classes are mandatory prior to any baptism
Classes are the first Saturday of every month
Spanish - 10:00 AM, St Mary A/C room
English -11:00 AM, St Joseph Parish Center

Baptisms are at St. Joseph Church the third Saturday of the month
ONLY child, parents, Godparents & sponsers are allowed to attend.
Spanish - 11:00 AM
English - 6:00 PM

To get your child baptized you MUST make arrangements with the parish office. In order to participate in our next baptism class you must fill out and return a  baptism packed. These are available at the St Joseph Parish office.  Please call 360-748-4953 for the packet and to reserve your space in the next class. All paper work must be complete, along with a copy of the state birth certificate, and SUBMITTED TWO WEEKS PRIOR to class. God parents/sponsors must be at least 16 years of age, provide a confirmation certificate and be practicing their faith. Married God parents must be married in the Catholic Church and provide a marriage certificate. There is a baptismal fee due at the time of registration.

What is Baptism:
Baptism is not only the first of the seven sacraments; it is also the basic sacrament. How? Unless a person is baptized, none of the other six sacraments can be received. Only a baptized person can be confirmed. Only a baptized person can receive absolution in the Sacrament of Confession. Only a baptized person can receive the Sacrament of Matrimony. Only a baptized man can be validly ordained a priest.

Baptism first gives a person the supernatural life, whereas the other sacraments provide for the restoration, or growth, or healing, or communication of the supernatural life. As we shall see, the moment we are conceived in our mothers womb, we receive the principle of the natural life of our body, called the soul. When we are baptized, our soul receives its principle of the supernatural life. The foundation of supernatural existence is conferred by the Sacrament of Baptism.

Baptism clearly shows what the Catholic Church understands by the sacraments. They actually give, cause if you will, the grace which they signify. There need be no deliberate contribution from a newborn child. The sacrament itself confers grace from God just because the infant is baptized.

Meaning:
Baptism can be defined as the sacrament of supernatural rebirth or regeneration. We should stress the prefix re when we speak of Baptism as a rebirth or regeneration. This brings out the astounding fact that although we are indeed generated or born naturally of our human parents, Baptism gives us a new life. This is a higher life, the supernatural life that we need above our natural existence. Why do we need this life? Because we hope to reach heaven after our natural life expires when we die. Absolutely speaking, none of us will ever die. What we commonly call death is merely the separation of our immortal soul from our body. But the soul is meant to be alive twice over. As a spiritual reality, our soul will never cease to exist. But if our soul is not animated by the grace we received at Baptism, we shall die the double death of both body and soul.

Institution by Christ:
Jesus Christ told us about Baptism during his conversation with Nicodemus. This Pharisee had just complimented Jesus. The Savior replied by saying, No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is begotten from above. To which Nicodemus objected, How can a man be born again? Can he go back into his mothers womb and be born again? This was a perfect question to introduce Christs revealed teaching about Baptism. He said, I solemnly assure you no one can enter the kingdom of God without being begotten of water and the Spirit.

For no less than fifteen verses does Jesus explain the meaning of what He had just told Nicodemus. Underlying Christs teaching is the fact that Baptism is necessary. So true is this that the Catholic Church recognizes the rite of Baptism practiced by other Christian churches, provided the sacrament is conferred by immersion in water or the pouring or sprinkling of water, while the same person pronounces the words, I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

How necessary is Baptism? It is absolutely necessary to receive Baptism of water or at least of desire, which can be implicit, provided a person believes at least in God and His goodness and is faithful to the graces that God gives him.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, As regards infants who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus tenderness toward infants which caused him to say: Let the little ones come to me, do not hinder them, allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for infants who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Churchs call not to prevent infants coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism.