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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]PP’s are correct that anyone who intends what the Church intends and uses the correct formula can validly confer baptism; however, this is meant for emergencies (e.g.  danger of death), and not to avoid following the normal procedure of having a bishop, priest or deacon perform the rites.

The primary obstacle OP is likely to face in seeking baptism at their local parish is the requirement of Canon 868 sec. 2 that “there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion.” As a non-practicing Catholic, OP needs to be prepared to address this. Will the nanny be responsible?  Someone else? Or will OP be returning to a minimal degree of practice as well.

OP says time seems to be running out. It is not clear why. People defer baptism all the time, although it is a poor idea.

The best thing to do might be to go to the nanny’s parish and talk to the priest there to see what the reaction is.

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Op here. I have gone to a couple events at the church but never mass. I am willing to go to mass for a couple months if it convinces the priest to the baptism. I shouldn’t take communion, though, right? Because I don’t believe?

Church may not be my thing but I don’t want to do anything disrespectful.

I think it’s very important to our nanny to have this done, and in the church formally.

I thought they wouldn’t baptize a child over 7, so that’s where the urgency was coming from for me. But perhaps I’m wrong about that, it sounds like.[/quote]

First, a clarification. Catholics “receive” communion, they do not “take” it; the latter concept and language being more Anglican/Episcopal in nature and origin.

Second, your professed unbelief may or may not be a bar to receiving the Eucharist. Receiving in the face of doubt, even strong doubt, can be an act of Faith in and of itself. But if all you would be doing is simulating to fit it, that would be wrong.  If you do want to receive the Eucharist, you ought to go to confession first, having not been active for a time. That might also give an opportunity to talk over some of your belief issues with the priest.

The whole “age 7” thing has to do with the age of reason. Kids have no more business in RCIA than a giraffe, but they do need proper, ongoing, religious instruction. It is not just about baptism. It is about a lifelong and eternal relationship with the Living God. If your child is baptized and continues to attend Mass (a proper noun requiring capitalization) they are going to want to receive the other sacraments as time goes by and their Catholic identity develops. That requires training and instruction.

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