807 Havens Corners Road
Gahanna, OH 43230
(614) 471-0212
Contact Us
If this is your first child being baptized at Saint Matthew, please schedule a meeting with the Baptism Coordinator. Katie Ryzenga will meet with you in person or via Zoom to discuss the steps of Baptismal preparation as well as the meaning and significance of the Sacrament of Baptism. To set up this meeting, call or email Katie at 614-2030-6103 or kryzenga@stmatthew.net.
In preparation for your meeting, please review and discuss the Baptism Formation and Reflection Packet.
If you have had a child baptized at Saint Matthew and/or previously attended Baptism Preparation Class:
you do not need to attend again. However, because we take seriously the call for all families to participate in ongoing formation, we ask that you view or listen to one of the following recorded presentations:
Option 1: Audio Presentation: "Changed Forever" by Fr. Mike Schmitz
Option 2: Video Presentations from the series "Reborn: You, Your Child, and the Heart of Baptism" by the Augustine Institute
(Choose one episode)
Session 1: "A New Creation: The Mystery of Baptism"
Session 2: "Entering the Mystery: The Rite Explained"
Session 3: "Nurturing the Life of Grace: Called to Mission"
"The Mission to Love: Seven Keys to Catholic Parenting"
"The Gift of Godparents: More Than Cards and Presents"
Option 3: Video Presentations from the series, "The Catholic Parent" by the Augustine Institute
(Choose two episodes)
Do you ever feel like it's almost impossible to raise holy kids who love God (and sit still in Mass!) in our modern world? You're not alone. This six-episode series features real Catholic families like yours sharing their daily struggles and victories. Created by the Augustine Institute and Catholic Sprouts, The Catholic Parent aims to encourage you as a mom or dad as you embrace your God-given role to form your family in the richness of the Catholic faith.
Episode 1: Our Sunday Obligation
Episode 2: Confession
Episode 3: Family Prayer
Episode 4: Sacrifice
Episode 5: Generosity
Episode 6: Handing on the Faith
All of these presentations can be accessed through St. Matthew's Formed account at stmatthew.formed.org. If this is your first time using Formed, you'll need to create a username (usually your email address) and password. Once you sign in, search by title or by subject "Baptism."
After you listen or watch, please submit this form: Baptism Response Form.
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PREPARATION FOR CHILDREN
If your child is old enough to understand and learn about the Sacrament of Baptism, you will be given a packet to read and discuss with him or her to prepare for Baptism.
*Children who have reached the age of reason (8+) will need to prepare for the Sacraments through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA).
Here's a resource for helping children learn about Baptism:
Born Into the Kingdom, The Miracle of Baptism (Brother Francis)
Access through Formed at stmatthew@formed.org.