We look forward to celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism with your family and welcoming a new member to our faith community! Please complete the Baptism registration form below and return it to the Parish Office to get started. We will be in touch to walk you through the process.
Frequently asked Baptism questions
Do I have to take any classes?
We ask all our parents to attend a Baptism Preparation Class. They are offered in English and Spanish on the first Thursday of the month.
When is the Sacrament Celebrated?
The Sacrament of Baptism is most frequently celebrated as a separate rite on Sunday afternoon but may also be celebrated during a Mass.
Who can be a godparent?
Godparents must be practicing members of the Roman Catholic Church and are asked to obtain a certificate of eligibility from their home parish certifying their eligibility to serve as godparents. Each child to be baptized must have one godparent, but two can be requested. To be a godparent, the person must meet the following requirements:·Be at least 16 years of age
· Be fully initiated into the Catholic faith by receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation
· Lead a life in harmony with the faith that is to be undertaken
· If married, the marriage is recognized by the Catholic Church
· Be active and practice the faith by being registered in a parish and attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.
Who Can Be a Christian Witness for Baptism?
Pursuant to Canon Law, the following is stated regarding who can be considered a Christian Witness for a baptism:
Can. 874 § 2 states that a baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may not be admitted except as a witness to baptism and together with a Catholic sponsor. It is not intended to allow for the following situations:
· A baptized Catholic who is not living out his or her Catholic faith;
· A baptized Catholic under 16 years of age; or
· A baptized Catholic who has not yet received the sacrament of Confirmation.
Therefore, the policy at St. John the Evangelist Church for a Christian Witness at a baptism is as follows:
· A Christian witness is defined as someone who is baptized in another Trinitarian Protestant Faith (i.e., Baptist, Episcopal, etc.).
· A Christian witness is allowed only in conjunction with a qualified Catholic sponsor and must be of the opposite sex of the qualified Catholic sponsor.