OLM provides a Checklist of all required documentation a child's family must obtain before submitting or filing a baptismal registration form for children 0m-7ys old.
● Original and sealed certificates of attendance at a Baptism Preparation class within the past two years, for Both parents & Godparents. You may attend either at Our Lady of Mercy or another parish. (if you have taken a baptism class within the past two years, you do not need to take another class.
● Be registered as a Parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy or If you are not a parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy, A letter from your parish pastor granting permission for your child to be baptized at Our Lady of Mercy.
● Child's Original Birth Certificate
● If Godparents are married, they must be married in the Catholic Church and provide a copy of the Marriage Certificate.
● Both Godparents need to provide a Letter of Verification of Full Communion with the Church from their parish. The letter must be signed by the pastor and stamped with the parish seal.
Please contact our Parish Office (530) 222-3424 if you have any questions, and may God bless you and your child
English Prep classes:
First Tuesdays of the month at 7:00pm in OLM Hall rm 5
What are the guidelines for obtaining Sacramental Baptism as an adult? Baptism of Adults and Children of Catechetical Age (8 and older) Formerly known as Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) now Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, or OCIA offers classes for adults and children aged 6 or older into full communion with the Catholic Church through the receipt of the sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist).
If you are an adult interested in being confirmed in the Catholic faith, then you would enter the church through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults.
OCIA has three stages:
1. Inquiry: (Pre-Catechumenate) is a time for asking questions, getting to know the people, the parish, and the Church. Meetings are held year-round and can be joined at any time.
2. Catechumenate: is a time for learning about the teachings of the Catholic faith in more detail and depth. Candidates and Catechumens prepare to receive the Initiation Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
3. Mystagogy: The time period of one year, from Easter to Easter. A time of reflection and service for new Catholics (Neophytes).
For a person to stand as a Godparent or Sponsor, the following requirements must be met:
● Be designated by the candidate, parents, guardians, or pastor
● Have the intention of performing the role of sponsor
● Be at least 16 years old
● Be a fully initiated Catholic (received Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation)
● Lead a life in harmony with the Faith and role of a sponsor (i.e. be a Registered member of a parish, attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days and Faithful to the laws of the Church regarding marriage)
● Not bound by any canonical penalty (Recognized as a valid marriage in the Catholic Church)
● Not the father or mother of the candidate
● There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.
● If you wish to honor a non Catholic member of your family, they may stand as a Christian Witness to your child’s Baptism, provided they have already been Baptized.