Dear Parents,
In the name of every member of the Parish community here at St. Matthew, I offer our congratulations and prayerful best wishes. The great event of birth was a spiritual experience in its own way, an encounter with God’s wonderful plan of creation. To see and hold new life – that you have created in cooperation with God – is a tremendous privilege.
You come now to prepare for the great Sacrament of Baptism that celebrates your child’s new life. The Sacrament of Baptism takes place in the Chapel, located in the Parish Center at St. Matthew. All are semi-private Baptisms (two families at a time) and held every half hour on the Third Sunday and Fourth Saturday of each month. Online registration is required. Please read and follow these instructions carefully:
1. Complete and submit theBaptismal Registration Form choosing one of the days mentioned above.
PLEASE NOTE: You may register here at any time. HOWEVER, the Baptism Office is only open Monday through Wednesday. An e-mail confirming the date and time of Baptism will go out one of the following two days that the office is open. (If you register on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, a confirmation will go out on the following Monday or Tuesday. If you register on a Monday or Tuesday, a confirmation will go out by Wednesday.)
YOU MUST WAIT FOR A CONFIRMATION EMAIL. If you do not receive one within the period of times above, please call Roxanne at 631-499-8520 ex. 126.
Baptisms will be scheduled in the order they are received.
2. FIRST TIME PARENTS are required to register and attend the Preparation for Baptism Class. The class is offered on the last Sunday of each month at 11:00 A.M. in the Chapel in the Parish Center. (No class in December.) During this meeting, you will come to know better the meaning of Baptism, where and when it will take place, your role as parents and the role of the child’s Godparents. The Godparents are not required to attend. You must register for one of the classes prior to the Baptism date you have scheduled.
3. Print 2 copies of the Sponsor Testimony Form. They are to be given to each one of the Godparents (Sponsors) you have chosen for your child. All requirements and instructions are printed on the forms themselves. See the forms for further details. Please NOTE each godparent MUST have there Parish Sign and Seal the Sponsor Testimony Form.
4. There is no fee for the baptism, however, any offering or donation is greatly appreciated on the day of the baptism.
The Baptismal Certificate will be mailed to you within four to six weeks after the Baptism.
I offer my personal prayerful best wishes and blessing on you and your child.
Sincerely,
Reverend Robert S. Hewes
Pastor