The Sacrament of Baptism
The Sacrament is celebrated on the First and Third Sunday of each month at 1:30pm.
Please Note: Beginning October 2024, the Sacrament will celebrated on the First Sunday of each month at 1:30pm.
Please call the Parish receptionist at 215-357-1300 to schedule your baby’s baptism.
Please return the baptismal information envelope to the Parish Receptionist at least two weeks prior to the scheduled baptism to guarantee your date.
Baptismal Preparation Sessions
A baptismal session for first time parents (or parents who have never attended a baptismal preparation session) is mandatory prior to the baptism of your child, and we encourage the godparents to also attend. We also welcome parents who have already attended a prior session to take a refresher course, as it will give them a better grasp of the importance of this sacrament.
Sessions take place in the Fitzgerald Room of the Trinity Center, typically on the third Thursday of each month. The class starts promptly at 7:00 PM and is approximately an hour long. Lay catechists conduct the classes, and we invite all attendees to participate actively during the instruction, asking whatever questions come to mind as we review the essentials of the rite.
Please call the Parish Office at 215-357-1300 to schedule a session.
Baptism Letter
Dear Parents:
Your child’s baptism into the Catholic faith is a time for great joy and celebration. The very fact that you have asked to have your child baptized shows that you recognize the importance of God in your life and seek to pass on the Catholic heritage to your child. The Church – in particular, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish – rejoices with you as you make arrangements for your baby’s baptismal date.
Since your child is too young to speak for him/herself, the Church allows you to answer the questions of faith asked during the Sacrament of Baptism. In order to assist you in your child’s faith development, enclosed is a Catholic Update that explains the Sacrament of Baptism. In addition a baptismal session for first time parents (or parents who have never attended a baptismal preparation session) is required prior to the baptism of your child. Please speak with our Parish Secretary to register for the session that you wish to attend .
From her earliest days the Church has realized that the newly baptized would benefit from additional support in their faith life from a member of the Church community called a godparent. Even though the Church requires only one godparent, it is permissible to select a godmother and a godfather to assist you in your role as the primary teachers of your child’s faith.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church cites that a godparent is someone who is “a firm believer, able and ready to help the newly baptized on the road of Christian life.” It is expected, therefore, that a godparent be a practicing Catholic, at least be 16 years old, have no canonical impediments, and attend the baptismal session with the parent(s).
If the godparent is not a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, he/she must obtain a letter of eligibility from his/her parish which states that this person is a practicing Catholic.
Please complete the baptismal information envelope (included in this package) and place the letter(s) of eligibility inside this envelope. Return the completed envelope to the Trinity Center no later than two weeks prior to the date of baptism.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation and God’s blessings on you and your family as you prepare for this important and happy occasion in your child’s life.
Sincerely,
Rev. Robert G. Suskey, Pastor
Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. Tracy, Parochial Vicar