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Baptism

Welcome to the St. Austin Catholic Parish
webpage for the Sacrament of Baptism!

The information below pertains to baptism of a Newborn, Infant, Baby or Toddler under the age of 7. If your child is over the age of 7, please contact the parish office.

Please carefully read all the information on this page before contacting the parish. Questions and concerns not addressed on this page will be answered at the Infant Baptismal Preparation Course, which is required of all parents, guardians, and godparents.

"Every person not yet baptized is able to receive Baptism."
The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, pg. 78 (1246-1252)

Dear Parents/Guardians,

New life is in your midst and it is a truly gift from God. How blest are you and your family to be able to experience the love of God in such a special way. We hope that through the Sacrament of Baptism you and your loved ones will grow in the Faith of the Church and be open to receive all the graces are that are so freely given by the Holy Spirit at this time.

To have the sacrament of baptism celebrated and recorded by the parish you will need to attend a baptism preparation course if you have not already done so, and complete all the forms required by the parish and Diocese of Austin.

Currently our parish celebrates approximately 200 infant baptisms a year and we also coordinate the form transfer and processing of another 100 families with infants to be baptized outside out parish. This is a wonderful blessing for the Church - the Body of Christ! It is also quite a large task and we ask for your patience and understanding as we try to schedule and accommodate, and prepare for each celebration.

God's blessing be upon you all your family. We are so happy to welcome this special child into the Church.

Here is what is needed by the parish:

Attend a Baptism Preparation Course (Not necessary if you have done this before).
Schedule a baptism (See forms below).
Choose Godparent(s) (Only one is required).
Provide a copy of the child's birth certificate to verify the date of birth and correct name.

Forms that you will need to provide:

Infant Baptism Preparation Course

Date and Time: Sundays, 2–3:30 p.m.
Location: In the Church. Look for signage. Directions/Parking Information

2019	2020
July 14	January 12
September 8	March 8
November 10	May 10
	July 12

Class registration:

Please call the parish office at 521-477-9471 to reserve space and materials for the class at least 1 week (7 days) before the class.
“Walk-ins” cannot be accommodated.
No childcare is provided for infants, toddlers or children at this time. Please secure infant/childcare before attending the course.
Parents, guardians, and godparents are encouraged to attend this class but may attend a class offered at another parish.

Fees:

There are no fees for registered parishioners for the course materials.
The cost for materials for non-parishioners is $25.00. This fee is due at the Baptism Preparation Course.

Baptism Schedule

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.

2019

Sun., August 11 at 2 p.m.

Sun., October 6 at 2 p.m.

Sun., December 1 at 2 p.m. (Thanksgiving Weekend)

Sat., December 28 & Sun., December 29 at all Weekend Masses: Sat. 5 p.m., Sun. 7:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m. (Feast of the Holy Family)

2020

Sat., February 1 & Sun., February 2 at all Weekend Masses: Sat. 5 p.m., Sun. 7:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m. (The Presentation of the Lord)

Sat., April 25 & Sun., April 26 at all Weekend Masses: Sat. 5 p.m., Sun. 7:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m. (Second Sunday of Easter)

Sun., June 14 at 2 p.m.

Sun., August 9 at 2 p.m.

This schedule will be updated as future dates are determined.

*Only three baptisms can be accommodated at each mass. Families must be active parishioners and attend one of the weekend masses on a weekly basis for a baptism to take place during Mass.

Requirements for Godparents

Only one godparent (sponsor) is required for Baptism (c. 873). A godparent must:

Be appointed as such by the appropriate person (parent/guardian) or minister;
As a rule, be not less than sixteen years of age;
Be a baptized Catholic who has received First Communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation, and who lives a life of faith befitting the role of sponsor;
Not labor under any canonical penalties;
Not be the mother or father of the one to be baptized.

Requirements for Non-members of St. Austin Catholic Parish

Parents/guardians who are not registered members of St. Austin Catholic Parish must obtain a letter granting permission from the pastor of the parish in which they are registered to have a child baptized outside that parish.

Download item #3 in the Forms section above, complete it, and return it to the parish office before scheduling your child's baptism.

Mailing address: St. Austin Catholic Parish
                                    BAPTISM
                                    2026 Guadalupe Street
                                    Austin, Texas 78705

Confirmation of the Baptism Time and Date

An e-mail notification will be sent to the parents/guardians confirming the receipt of all required forms and fees by the parish office. The notification will also confirm the date and time of the infant baptism. Parents/guardians must respond to to confirm the receipt of the e-mail.

Please note:

All forms must be completed before they can be accepted. Processing forms in the parish office may take 7–10 days to complete.
Please keep a copy of each form and document for your personal records. Please bring the forms and documents to the Infant Baptism Preparation Class and to the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism.

Diocese of Austin Norms

St. Austin Catholic Parish follows the norms set by the Diocese of Austin concerning the Sacrament of Baptism. Please note that any variances as agreed upon by the parish clergy and the parents/guardians from the norms and parish guidelines for baptisms must be in written form and turned into the parish office prior to baptism. Verbal communications cannot be confirmed or processed.

Visiting Clergy

Clergy from outside the Diocese of Austin, Texas must complete and mail to the parish the diocesan confirmation granting permission to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism within the diocese. Clergy from outside the diocese and the Parish of St. Austin must obtain written permission from the pastor. Please visit the Diocese of Austin website for current forms. (Clergy = ordained minister of the Roman Catholic Church with faculties to celebrate the Church’s sacraments.)