"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age'" (Matthew 28:18-20).

"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213).

The Baptism of infants is normally celebrated after the last Mass on Sunday or during any of the regularly-scheduled Masses of the Lord’s Day. Ordinarily Baptisms are not celebrated during Lent. Parents presenting a child for Baptism for the first time are required to take part in the parish-based preparation program, if possible before the birth of the child. Contact the Central Office (715.778.5519 or [email protected]) to register.