Baptism

For Children Ages Six and Under at Stella Maris

those who are baptized belong to christ

Give your child the gift of faith

Stella Maris Family of Parishes welcomes parents who have decided to baptize their children in the Catholic Church. To start the process, please complete the inquiry form below. Once your information is received, a member of our Baptism team will reach out with the next steps.

mentoring parents so they can mentor their child

Our Formation Process

We have designed Baptism preparation to put parents at ease as they take up the responsibility of raising their child in the Catholic faith. Leveraging the power and flexibility of mentorship, you will be well-supported as you bring your child forward for this beautiful Sacrament. Here is the basic outline of our process:

Upon receiving your inquiry form, you will be assigned a mentor couple to walk with your family as you prepare for your child’s baptism.
The mentor couple will contact you to set up a formation meeting. Both parents are asked to attend.
Next, you will be invited to attend Sunday Mass with the mentor couple at an agreed-upon date and time. If desired, a tour of the church can be given following the Mass.
Once all requirements have been met and all forms have been completed and received by the parish office, the office will reach out to you to schedule the date of your child’s Baptism.

Baptism Formation

Reborn

Couples wishing to have their child baptized will meet with one of our mentor couples for formation. The session will involve watching and discussing videos from the Augustine Institute’s Reborn series.

Reborn explores the deeply personal power of Baptism, bringing to light the spiritual reality for parents and godparents and, most importantly, the child being baptized. Rendered with a cinematic beauty that’s become the hallmark of the Augustine Institute’s film productions, Reborn presents the foundation of the Church’s teaching on Baptism, with a step-by-step explanation of the rite itself, including its profound place in Scripture and Tradition.

During the formation meeting with the mentor couple, participants will learn about the essential role of Baptism in God’s plan for salvation, discover the real, life-changing effects of Baptism, reflect on the beauty of the Rite of Baptism, and consider the mission of Christ which all the baptized share.

The Stella Maris Family of Parishes seeks to make Baptism beautiful experience for you and your child.

In Baptism, your child will become an adopted son or daughter of God — a new identity that can never be taken away. And your child will be formally welcomed into a new family — the Catholic Church — a family of faith that will support your child for the whole of his or her life.

Baptism Guidelines

At Stella Maris, we have the following guidelines in place to ensure a child’s Baptism occurs within the parameters established by the Catholic Church:

The child must be 6 years of age or younger. If the child is 7 years old or above, please contact the Stella Maris Director of Evangelization and Catechesis at bbursa@stellamarisfamily.org for catechesis appropriate to his/her age.
Parents must be registered at one of the Stella Maris parishes. Click HERE to register.
Parents who have not before had a child baptized within Stella Maris Family of Parishes, or who have not had a child baptized within the last three years, are required to participate in the formation process described above.
Parents must read the What does it mean to be a godparent? sheet , discern godparents for their child, and ensure the godparents have completed the eligibility form.

Godparent Guidelines

Godparents are responsible for participating in the spiritual growth of the newly baptized. They support the parents by nurturing the child in the life of the Catholic faith.

Parents and godparents are asked to read over the godparent guidelines and complete the godparent eligibility form for each godparent, and return them to the parish office. This form must be completed before the baptism can be scheduled.

Baptism Inquiry Form

Step 1 of 2

Parents' Information

Mother's Name(Required)

First Last

Mother's Religion

Father's Name

First Last

Father's Religion

Primary Phone Number(Required)

Primary Email(Required)

Parent's' Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Baptism?

Children receive their natural life from their parents, but it is through Baptism that we receive our supernatural life. God the Father desires each of us to be a part of His family. Baptism is the beginning of our adoption into the family of God. Thus, our baptism day is truly the most important day of our lives.

Why Baptism?

“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.” CCC #1213

How do I schedule my child's Baptism date?

The parish office will call to schedule your child’s Baptism date when all forms have been received by the parish office and upon the parents’ completion of the Baptism class.

Who is required to attend the Baptism Preparation Class?

All first-time parents, and if you are new to the parish. If it has been more than 3 years since your last child was baptized, you will be required to attend the class. It is recommended that Godparents attend the class as well, but not required. There is a video for Godparents included in the Reborn series on Formed.

What time are Baptisms usually scheduled?

Baptisms are usually scheduled on Sundays following the final Mass of the day at each of the parishes.

How do I access Formed.org and what videos do I need to watch prior to the Baptism preparation class?

Go to the Formed.org website and search for Sacraments. Click on the Reborn series and watch
the first and fourth videos. (A New Creation: The Mystery of Baptism and The Mission to Love:7 Keys to Catholic Parenting)

What is appropriate attire for the child being Baptized and for family members?

Children receiving the Sacrament of Baptism can wear white or their Sunday best. Family members should also wear their Sunday best.

Are pictures permitted to be taken during the Baptism?

Photos can be taken during the Baptism, as long as it doesn’t disrupt the Liturgy. Please, no flash photography.

Is there a fee for Baptism?

There is no fee to receive the Sacrament of Baptism. However, if you would like to make a donation, you are welcome to give it to the priest or deacon after the Baptism.

Meet our Mentor Couples!

Fr. Tim Ralston is Pastor of the Stella Maris Family of Parishes. Originally from Georgetown, OH, he studied Philosophy at the University of Cincinnati. He went on to seminary at Mt. St. Mary's Seminary and was ordained a priest on May 22, 2010. He served as Parochial Vicar of St. Charles Borromeo in Kettering and Holy Trinity, St. Mary, and St. Anthony in Coldwater. In 2017 he was named Pastor of St. Bernadette in Amelia, and Stella Maris in 2022.

Fr. McCarthy was ordained in 2007. He has served in four assignments, three as Pastor, before coming to Clermont County. He is the only full-time priest for the four parishes of Holy Family. Originally from Maryland, he came to Cincinnati for school, then stayed for work. Eventually, he entered the seminary for Cincinnati at age 30.

Rev. Eric Wood was born and raised in the small town of Versailles, Ohio in Darke County. He was the youngest of four boys and graduated from Versailles High School in 2006. After High School, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Franciscan University in Steubenville and entered Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West in 2010. Fr. Wood was ordained to the priesthood in 2015 by Archbishop Dennis Schnurr. He spent three years as Parochial Vicar of St. Francis de Sales parish in Lebanon, Ohio, and St. Philip parish in Morrow, Ohio. In 2018, he was sent to Rome to study moral theology at the Pontifical Alphonsian Academy, where he received a licentiate in sacred theology. Fr. Wood is currently finishing his doctoral degree from the Alphonsian Academy, with his dissertation research focused on themes of Cardinal John Henry Newman in relation to contemporary moral theology. He also lectures as an instructor of moral theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West and serves as director of the apostolic works and internship program. In addition, he helps out on the weekends in various parishes around the Archdiocese.

Have questions about infant baptism?

Contact Cindy and Mark Henderson

Cindy and Mark Henderson are our Baptism coordinators. You can reach them at baptism@stellamarisfamily.org.