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We celebrate Infant Baptism in three steps, and all parents and godparents should attend each step, if possible.

I. Preparation
 
Classes begin every couple of months, and are usually held on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m., in the Clare Room of the Parish Offices. Please contact the office for more information.

II. Presentation
 
The weekend after the preparation class, the children are presented to the congregation at a weekend Mass of your choice (see schedule). This is the first part of the Infant Baptismal Rite.

III. Celebration
 
About a month later, at the weekend Masses, the rite is concluded with the baptismal immersion. The children, parents and godparents participate during the Mass after the homily. If godparents cannot be present, a proxy can be substituted.

Exceptions to this process:

1. If the child is in danger of death, Baptism will be celebrated immediately, with a commitment from the parents to participate in the next Infant Baptism preparation class.
2. If the parents are members of, and have been prepared in, another parish, but wish for family reasons to have the Baptism celebrated here, the Baptism will be celebrated on one of the appointed infant baptism Sundays. St. Clare needs a letter of permission from the family's pastor.
3. Private celebrations of the sacrament will be possible only for grave pastoral reasons and with the permission of the pastor.