Saint Patrick Parish

Congratulations on the upcoming baptism of your child!  This sheet offers information that we hope will be helpful as you prepare for your child’s baptism.

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AGE

Children up to and through age six are admitted to baptism without any preparation process on the part of the child.  Once a child has turned seven, he/she participates in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) process, which begins every September.  Children age seven and above are baptized at the Easter Vigil in the spring.

 

DOCUMENTS

We need a copy of the birth certificate of the child who is to be baptized.

 

If the child’s parents are not members of Saint Patrick Parish, we need to receive written permission for the baptism from the pastor of the parish where the parents live (or the parish of which they are members).  This permission form is provided by our parish office.

 

If the child’s parents are members of Saint Patrick Parish but are not yet registered at Saint Patrick’s, they need to complete a parish registration form, which is provided by our parish office. 

 

LITURGY AND PREPARATION CLASS

Saint Patrick Parish celebrates baptism in English on Sundays at 2:00 pm.  The schedule of English-language baptisms (as well as Spanish-and Vietnamese-language baptisms) is available at our parish office.

 

Because of the essential role of parents and godparents, there are two classes for them to prepare for baptism.  The classes take place at 7:00 pm on the first Monday and Wednesday of each month.  Participation in BOTH classes is obligatory. 

 

If parents or godparents are late for or miss the preparation classes or baptism liturgy, they need to wait for a future month for the baptism.  Don’t be late!!

 

OFFERING

There is never a fee for baptism.  It is the tradition of our faith that, at the time of baptism, families offer a sacrificial financial contribution to the parish.  This money is used to support the work of the parish; it is not given to the priest or deacon who celebrates the baptism.  Envelopes for baptismal offerings are provided through by our parish office and at the baptism preparation class.

 

GODPARENTS

Godparents (officially called “sponsors” in the Church) have the critical role of helping parents in the Catholic upbringing of their children. 

• According to the canon law of the Church, “only one male or female sponsor or one of each sex is to be employed” (canon 873).

  • It is not necessary to have two sponsors.

  • If there are two sponsors, they must be one male and one female.

  • Two godmothers or two godfathers are therefore never permitted. 

• To be a sponsor, one must be at least 16 years old and be “a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken” (canon 874).  This means that godparents must be people who are truly, actively living our Catholic faith.

  • For married people, they must be married in the Church through the sacrament of matrimony.  A civil marriage is not sufficient.

  • For single people, they cannot be living in a sexual relationship with someone outside of the sacrament of matrimony.

  • For all godparents, they are expected to be attending Mass every week and receiving Communion at Mass.

• A sponsor cannot be the mother or father of the person who is being Baptized.

• Godparents need to provide us with a copy of their Confirmation certificates (which will include the date and location of their Baptism).  These may be obtained at the parish at which their Confirmation took place.

• One godparent – and only one – may be a baptized member of a non-Catholic Christian community. 

  • Non-Catholic Christian godparents need to provide us with copies of their baptismal certificates. 

  • If there is one non-Catholic Christian godparent, the other godparent must be a Roman Catholic who meets all the requirements described above. 

• Non-Christians (including Jewish people, Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Buddhists, atheists) can never serve as godparents.

 

HOW TO GET STARTED

To begin making arrangements for your child’s baptism, telephone our parish office at 978-683-9416.