Requirements for Baptism

Inquiries regarding baptism must be made by the child’s parents. Parent(s) of the child being baptized must be registered parishioners of St. Christopher’s. In certain circumstances families living outside of the parish boundaries may have their child baptized at St. Christopher’s with the written permission of their home parish.

Parents must complete the Belonging Online Certification Course (en español: Pertenecer: el Bautismo en la familia de Dios). Once you have completed the course, send your Completion Certificate via email to [email protected] so that we can schedule your follow-up meeting with Deacon Frank and schedule your Baptism. The Certification course and follow-up meeting with Deacon Frank MUST be completed prior to scheduling your Baptism.

Sponsor (Godparent) Eligibility Form

Sponsor (Godparent) Eligibility 

The child must have at least one Catholic Sponsor (Godparent). You may have no more than two Sponsors – in which case one must be male and one female. You may not have two Godmothers or two Godfathers.

To be eligible to be a Catholic Godparent, the person must have received all of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist). If the person is married, they must have been married in the Catholic Church. The person must be at least 16 years of age.

There must be one Sponsor (Godparent). If you choose to have two, one must be male and the other female.

If you choose to have only one Catholic Sponsor, you may have a Christian Witness (baptized) as well, who is of a Christian faith tradition and currently practicing in their Christian tradition. In this case one must be male and one must be female. 

A Letter or Certficate of Eligibility must be obtained by the Godparent from their pastor who recommends that the person is worthy of being a Godparent because they are actively practicing and living their catholic faith, i.e., attending church weekly. This letter must be sent to the Pastor of St. Christopher’s at least one month prior to the scheduled baptism.

If a Godparent cannot be present for the baptsm, a proxy may be named by the Godparent and the proxy must meet the same requirements as an actual Godparent.

A non-Catholic is not referred to as “Godparent”; they will be listed in our records and on the baptismal certficate as “Christian Witness”. A Christian Witness must have been baptized in a Christian Faith and be practicing their faith as well.
 

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" - Matthew 28:19-20.