Baptism is offered for infants for whom parents or other responsible adults pledge to see to their religious formation    on behalf of the Church community. Catechesis for this important moment is given to those who will have first responsibility in seeing that the child is brought up to live the Faith as taught by Christ and his Church. For those who seek to have their child baptized into the Faith, information is available at the parish office on the instructions available. Baptism of infants is usually celebrated on Saturday evening or Sunday during the time of the Church’s celebration of  the Lord’s Day, the weekly commemoration of the Resurrection of Christ Jesus on the first day of the week and thus the “little” Easter we celebrate each week. Please call the parish office (361-387-1312) to learn more about the preparation program, scheduling baptisms, and the Church’s requirements for both parents and sponsors. Please read guidelines    to help answer questions. 

1. Infants should be baptized soon after birth, but sufficient time is necessary for the proper instruction. 
2. Children who are seven years [7] or older must receive proper instruction in religious education before they can receive the Sacraments of Initiation. Fr. Philip will instruct and guide parents to what they need in order to prepare for these Sacraments in the event your child is over the age of seven. 
3. The ordinary place for baptism is in the parish Church of the parents; therefore, parents need to be registered here at St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. 
4.  One of the parents or a legal guardian must be the one requesting baptism. 
5. There must be founded hope that the child baptized will be brought up in the Catholic religion. 
6. Godparents must have received Baptism, the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation, be at least 16 years of age, and be practicing the Catholics faith so that they may be able to give good example of how to faithfully live the Catholic faith.
   There are only to be two Godparents - one man & one woman. If either one is married or if they are married to each other they must be married in the Catholic Church. (A copy of a current baptismal certificate or a marriage certificate.) 
7. A baptized non-Catholic may not be a Godparent but may be an official witness to the baptism, as long as there is one Catholic Godparent who is in good grace with the Church. [see #6] 
8. Baptism is not to be conferred until parents* and godparents* have attended pre-baptismal instruction [dates & times are available on webpage or call parish office]. 

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)

• 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.