Request for Baptism

General Information

Baptism is the Gateway to all other sacraments.  You must be baptized in order to receive First Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Matrimony and Holy Orders. Baptism brings the Holy Spirit upon the person and fills him or her with grace. A permanent mark is placed on the soul and the person becomes a child of God. The virtues of faith, hope, and love are given in God's supernatural act of grace.

Due to the slow down in Baptisms caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, additional dates have been added for Baptisms in the months of June, July, August and September. Also, to comply with Archdiocesan guidelines, baptisms will be adminstered for only ONE child in a given date and time slot.  The schedule as of July 10, 2020 is: 

Depending on guidelines then in place and the number of families requesting Baptism, additional dates may be added.

It is required for parents and godparents to have instruction in the sacrament of Baptism. Normally a class is offered on the Thursday evening preceding the Baptism in the Linse Room of the lower Church. For the time being, preparation for Baptism will be done virtually using one of the collaboation platforms such as Zoom. If you have attended Baptismal instruction in the recent past then you do not have to attend again.

Requirements for Godparents

Godparents play an important role in the spiritual life of the child. They should have the time, willingness and faith to live out this sacred vocation. They should be someone special to the child who will set an example of Christian living, help teach the Catholic faith, and instill a lifelong relationship of prayer, faith sharing, and love. Specific requirements for godparents:

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic faith, which means the person has received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation.  
• Needs to be a practicing Catholic.
• If married, godparents need to either have been married in the Catholic Church or have obtained the appropriate dispensation for another type of ceremony.

There are usually two godparents. Only one of these, however, must be a baptized, practicing Catholic. The other may be a baptized, practicing member of another Christian denomination. While this person is referred to as a “Christian Witness” on the certificate, his or her role in the baptism ceremony is the same as the godparent. Likewise, the expectation is that this Christian Witness will be a Christian role model for the child.