Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters 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 and in the word.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213 – for more information see 1214 – 1284)

The faith community of La Purisima  Concepcion Parish welcomes you as you come to plan the Baptism of your child. In the Sacrament of Baptism, your child will begin the process of initiation into the Catholic Church, a process that continues through  First Communion and is completed in  Confirmation. You will be asked during the celebration of the baptism to promise God and the Church to raise your child in the practice of the faith and you are accepting the responsibility of being the first teacher(s) of your child in the ways of this faith. You will also prayerfully select one or two other people of faith (practicing Catholics) to be your child’s baptismal sponsors, or godparents, and to assist you in fulfilling this obligation. Please read and follow these guidelines so that the preparation process and the baptism can both proceed smoothly. To help you in making decisions

 related to your child’s baptism and to understand the process better, please read the "Guidelines for the Baptism of Infants" (click here English or  Spanish) before filling out the application. After you have finished reading the "Guidelines for the Baptism of Infants" and completed the "Baptism Registration Form" please call the Pastoral Center (805) 735-3068) to schedule a pre-baptismal interview with one of our Deacons.

After your pre-baptismal interview meeting, parents of children under seven years of age, should contact the Pastoral Center to sign up for one of the Baptism Preparation classes. Parents and godparents must attend one pre-baptism class which is good for 3 years. There is one class per month offered in English and in Spanish. Parents should contact the Pastoral Center to set a date for your child's Baptism at least a month in advance.
 

Children age eight and over become part of the Children’s Catechumenate to prepare together with their parents and godparents for the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation. For additional information, please contact Leticia Diaz, Director of Religious Education,  [email protected] or (805) 735-3068 ex. 103.
 

RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.  RCIA welcomes and prepares adults for full participation in the sacramental life of the Church. Some people become a Catholic gradually. They were baptized as infants, grew up in Catholic homes, received a religious education, and gradually shared in the sacraments of the Church. Other Catholics came to the Church as adults, sometimes already baptized, sometimes having received a religious formation in another faith.
The Church wants to welcome all adults who are interested in the Catholic faith. For those who think they might wish to become Catholic, the Church's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) provides for the whole process of preparing adults for initiation into the Catholic Church. It is often referred to as the "catechumenate".
 
What Are the Stages of the Christian Initiation of Adults?

Period of Inquiry: (Evangelization)
The first stage is the period of inquiry. During this time Inquirers reflect on the Gospel message and the ways in which they can apply it to their own lives. It is a time for questions and finding out more about the Catholic Church and the value of faith.

Period of Teaching: (Catechumenate)
Those who profess their faith in Jesus and desire to continue their journey toward full membership in the Catholic Church then move to their next phase where most of the teaching takes place. With the help of a sponsor and members of the community, the candidate learns about the Church as a community. This period begins with a rite, which marks the formal entrance into the catechumenate.

Purification and Enlightenment
At the beginning of Lent the Church calls those who are ready to make final preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation, which will be received at the Easter Vigil Mass. This calling takes place in the special Rite of Election. During Lent the parish community joins the candidates in their preparation, and together they continue the journey toward the celebration of Easter.

Ordinarily the sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are celebrated at the Easter Vigil liturgy. Christians who are already baptized may be formally received into full communion with the Catholic Church at this liturgy.

Post-baptismal Catechesis (Mystagogia)
A period of fifty days from Easter to Pentecost completes the initiation process. It is a special time for the newly received to find a place in the community. This is the time for unfolding the meaning of the Easter Sacraments.
For additional information, please contact Leticia Diaz, Director of Religious Education,  leticia.diaz@lapurisima.org or (805) 735-3068 ex. 103.
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Después de la entrevista, póngase en contacto con el Centro Pastoral para escribirse en una clase de Preparación Bautismal.  Es requisito que los padres y padrinos vayan a la clase. La clase es válida por tres anos. Cada mes ofrecemos una clase en Ingles y otra en Español. Los padres deben ponerse en contacto con el Centro Pastoral al menos un mes antes de la fecha de el Bautismo.
 
Bautismo Para Niños Grandes y Adolecentes

Niños de ocho años de edad o más participan en el Catecumenado de Niños. Los niños con sus padres y sus padrinos se preparan juntos para los sacramentos de Bautismo, Sagrada Comunión, y Confirmación. Para información adicional, por favor póngase en contacto con Leticia Diaz, el Coordinador de Educación Religiosa a [email protected] o (805) 735-3068 ex. 103.
 
Bautismo Adulto

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)  El Rito del Iniciación de Adultos Cristianos. El RCIA les da bienvenida y preparación a adultos para participar completamente en la vida sacramental de la Iglesia. Unas personas se hacen gradualmente Católicos. Ellos fueron bautizados como criaturas, crecieron en casa Católica, recibieron su educación religiosa, y gradualmente compartieron en los sacramentos de la Iglesia. Otros Católicos vinieron a nuestra Iglesia como adultos, a veces ya bautizados, a veces recibiendo instrucción de otra fe. La Iglesia Católica quiere recibir todos los adultos que están interesados en la fe Católica.  Para las personas que les interesa convertirse a Catolicismo, el RCIA los prepara para su entrada a la Iglesia Católica. Este estudio es referido como el catecúmeno.

¿Cuáles son los pasos de la Iniciación de Adultos Cristianos?

1) Periodo de Investigación (Evangelización)
El primer paso es un periodo de investigación. Durante este tiempo la persona refleja sobre el mensaje del evangelio y las formas en que se puede aplicar a sus propias vidas. Este tiempo es para hacer preguntas, saber más sobre la Iglesia Católica y reconocer el valor de la fe.

2) Periodo de Enseñanza (Catecúmeno)
Aquellos que profesan su fe a Jesús y desean de continuar su viaje hacia ingreso completo en la Iglesia Católica empiezan su periodo de enseñanza. Con la ayuda de su patrocinador y la comunidad el candidato aprende sobre la comunidad de la Iglesia. Este periodo empieza con un rito marcando la entrada oficial al catecúmeno.

3) Purificación e Iluminación
Al principio de la Cuaresma la Iglesia llama a los que están listos a la preparación final de los Sacramentos de Iniciación (Bautismo, Confirmación y la Eucaristía). La llamada ocurre en el Rito de Elección.  Durante Cuaresma la comunidad de la parroquia acompaña los candidatos en su preparación, y juntos ellos van a continuar el viaje a la celebración de la Pascua.
Normalmente los sacramentos de Iniciación se reciben en la misa de Vigilia de Pascua. Personas que están bautizados en otra fe Cristiana pueden ser recibidos completamente en la Iglesia Católica en esta misa.

4) Catequesis Después del Bautismo (Mystagogia)
El periodo de cincuenta días de Pascua a Pentecostés completa la iniciación. En este tiempo especial para el nuevo miembro, él puede hallar un lugar en nuestra comunidad. Este es un tiempo de aclarar el significado de los sacramentos Pascuales.
Para información adicional, por favor póngase en contacto con Leticia Diaz, el Coordinador de Educación Religiosa a [email protected] o (805) 735-3068 ex. 103.