Congratulations on the birth or upcoming birth of your child! No matter the stage of parenting you are currently in, you have been entrusted with a great gift from God. In your role as a parent, you serve as the first and most influential teacher of your child’s faith. The pastorate of St John and St Joseph is prepared to assist you in this role which begins with the sacrament of Baptism.
We look forward to celebrating the sacrament of Baptism with your family and welcoming a new member to our faith community! To get started, please complete the Baptism Registration form with some basic information and return it to the parish office. Once received, someone will be in touch to help walk you through the preparation process.
In order to schedule a Baptism, parents need to submit the registration form, a copy of the child’s birth certificate, eligibility certificates for Catholic godparents, and complete the preparation class.
Frequently asked Baptism questions
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Do parents have to take any classes?
We ask all parents to attend a Baptism preparation class. If you attended one in the last 3 years, we encourage you to attend again, but you are not required to. Classes are offered virtually in English on the 1st Thursday and 3rd Tuesday of each month. They are offered in Spanish in person on the 1st Thursday of the month. Contact the office to register for a class.
Do godparents have to take classes?
Yes, we ask all Catholic god parents to also take a Baptism preparation class. They may join the classes offered at the Pastorate of St John and St Joseph, or they may also attend on in their home parish and simply ask for a letter stating that they have completed the class.
When is the Sacrament Celebrated?
How many god parents do I need?
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.
Can. 874 §1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:
- Have completed the sixteenth year of age.
- Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads 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 Catholic faith by attending Mass on Sundays
and Holy Days of Obligation. - May not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.
Who Can Be a Christian Witness for 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 of the Pastorate of St. John and St Joseph 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.
My Child is older can they still be Baptized?
Yes! The process is a bit different for children who have reached the age of reason (age 7). Please contact Amy Spessard amy.spessard@stjohn-frederick.org to discuss the possibilities.