By the Waters of Baptism we Become Members of the Church, the Body of Christ. 

The origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus.  Before starting his public ministry, Jesus submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist.  The waters did not purify him; he cleansed the waters.  . . .  Jesus did not need to be baptized because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin.  However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptize all nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin – Original and actual – and begin to live a new life with God.

In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ's call to holiness. In Baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love.  Read more at www.usccb.org

Step 1: Reflect on the importance of what this Baptism will mean for your family.

In preparing for your child’s Baptism, it is important to take time to reflect upon your own faith journey. For a Catholic, the desire to have one's child baptized should indicate an acceptance of the teaching of Jesus Christ as handed on to us by the Church. The Church recognizes that the parents are the primary educators of the faith and the important role this entails.

Step 2: Contact the Parish Office

MEMBER REGISTRATION: We look forward to walking through this process with you. After considering the gift of the Sacrament, first we will need to make sure you are a registered member of the parish. Being a registered member declares your desire to be an active part of our Catholic faith community. It also will help give you a better sense of belonging and help you stay connected to the overall life of the parish. 

BAPTISM PREP CLASSES: Baptism classes are a requirement for proper preparation. The purpose of this class is to gain a fuller appreciation of the sacrament of Baptism and what it means to raise a child in the Catholic faith. It is also a time to answer any questions you may have regarding the Sacrament and the actual celebration. A trained couple will lead the class. Classes are held the first Saturday of each month from 5:45-7:30PM. Pre-registration is required. Please contact the office for more information 605.886.4049. *The office staff will also help determine the preparation needed if this is not your first child.

BAPTISM CELEBRATION: Once the office has your completed paperwork and you have gone through the prep class, Father and the couple will confirm a date for the child's Baptism celebration. 

*New Member Registration, Online Baptism Request Form and Sponsor Form can be found below...

Step 3: Other Important Information 

CHOOSING A NAME FOR YOUR CHILD - The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “Everyone’s name is sacred. The name is the icon of the person. It demands respect as a sign of the dignity of the one who bears it. The name one receives is a name for eternity” Article 2158-59. In Isaiah 43:1 it states, "God calls each person by name".  It is important when picking a a name for our child that it brings meaning and purpose to the life God is calling them to. During the celebration Father will ask what name you have picked for your child.

CHOOSING GODPARENTS / SPONSOR - Your child must have at least one Godparent, who is at least 16 years old, and a fully-initiated (Confirmed) and a practicing Catholic in good standing. If not members of Immaculate Conception, we ask that the godparents obtain a letter from their pastor attesting to these things. A godparent should be chosen because he/she is someone who will pray for your child, and who can help you to teach your child to be a good Catholic by word and example. If there are to be two godparents, one must be a man, and the other a woman. 

A baptized person who belongs to a non-catholic ecclesial community may be admitted only in company with a catholic godparent, and then simply as a witness to the baptism. (Canon Law 874/2)

SUPPORT FOR PARENTS - "While all members of the family are called to live out the foundational Christian virtues, fathers and mothers have a special responsibility for fostering these virtues within their children.  They are the first to proclaim the faith to their children.  They are responsible for nurturing the vocation of each child, showing by example how to live the married life, and taking special care of a child might be called to priesthood or consecrated life."  (U.S. Bishops, Pastoral Letter - Marriage, Love and Life in the Divine Plan)  Find a number of resources on parenting at USCCB.org