FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF REASON
According to the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Seattle, sacraments are administered in the midst of the community in which the person who is receiving the sacrament resides. This usually means the parish that the person is attending. Parents requesting baptism for their infants or young children—any children between 0 years of age to around the age of 7—need to be registered members of St. Mary Magdalen Parish/St. John Mission.

An interview with the Baptismal Program Director, Sr. Maribeth Carson, is needed for all parents who are requesting baptism for their children. The purpose of the interview is to determine what formational process needs to be addressed for the parent. This is important since it is the parent who is committing to being responsible for the formation of the child in his or her faith life. The strongest formation that can take place for anyone is the example of the parent participating in the faith life of the parish community.

The interview may determine that the process may need to address the parents’ commitment to their own, active faith life with the Catholic Church. This may necessitate attending required catechetical sessions which will help in the conversion of the parents’ present way of life to the Way of Life that the parents promised to follow at their own baptism and was affirmed by the parents at their own Confirmation. For others, this formation process may mean a deepening of their faith life, a deepening of their commitment to follow their baptismal call and Confirmation—to live a life according to the Gospels values—a life of service—and to follow Jesus’ example.
Parents who already show a commitment to their faith, are fully initiated and involved in their parish, and show by their way of living that they understand the meaning of their own baptism and confirmation probably need no formal formation. They do need to be involved in the liturgical planning of the Rite of Baptism for Children.
 
For Children Over 7 Years of Age
If your child is of catechetical age—that is: “the age of reason” which is around 7 years of age and older—and the child or you as parent have a desire to seek baptism for him or her in the Catholic Church, it is expected that the child will begin a period of formal instruction leading to reception into the Catholic Church.
As a parent of this child, you have an integral role in the catechetical process of formation of this person in their faith. There is a requirement of attending Catechetical Sessions in which you will extend the learning, teaching, and faith formation which takes place in the Catechetical Sessions with the formation director, Sr. Maribeth. Attending catechetical sessions at least once a month is required of the parent.
An interview with the child and the parents with Sr. Maribeth Carson is required. The purpose of the interview is to determine what formational process needs to be addressed. This is important since it is the parent who is committing to being responsible for the formation of the child in the continuing growth and development of his or her faith life. The strongest formation that can take place for anyone is the example of the parent participating in the faith life of the parish community.
The interview may determine that the process may need to also address the parents’ commitment to their own, active faith life with the Catholic Church. This may necessitate attending required catechetical sessions which will help in the parents’ own conversion of life to the Way of Life that the parents promised to follow at their own baptism and was affirmed by the parents at their own Confirmation. For others, this formation process may mean a deepening of their faith life, a deepening of their commitment to follow their baptismal call and Confirmation—to live a life according to the Gospels’ values—a life of service—and to follow Jesus’ example.
For more information, contact Sr. Maribeth Carson, SP, now, to schedule an interview.