Infant Baptism: Information For Parents

Faith of the Parents
Baptism is always based on faith. Infant baptisms are based on the faith of the parent(s). The Roman Catholic Church requires that for an infant to be baptized there must be the "founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion". In practical terms, this means at least one parent must be a practicing Catholic and have the intention of raising the child in the faith.

Further, it is a parish policy that new families/parishioners not begin sacramental preparation at St. Maria Goretti until they have been active in the parish for four months or until they have obtained a letter from their previous pastor stating that they were active in the Faith in their former parish.

Sponsors/Godparents
There are to be two sponsors (one male and one female). Or there may be simply one sponsor. At least one sponsor must be: a practicing Catholic; fully initiated (has received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation); and at least sixteen years old). Each Catholic sponsor from outside the parish should obtain a sponsor certificate or a letter from their pastor stating that they are a practicing Catholic. They should bring this certificate/letter with them to the baptismal ceremony or have it sent to our office prior to the baptism.

A second person, who is not Catholic, may function as a witness; this person must be a baptized Christian. If a sponsor cannot be at the actual baptism, that person can still be a sponsor. The substitute or "stand in" is called the proxy. A proxy does not need to be Catholic.

Times for Baptisms
The usual times for baptisms are:

Saturdays: after the 4:30 p.m. Mass
Sundays: after the 10:00 a.m. Mass

To schedule a Baptism, contact the office. No more than five baptisms may be scheduled at one time. Baptisms are not scheduled during the season of Lent, and Baptisms are not scheduled after the 10:30 Mass on First Communion Weekend.

Visiting Priests
A visiting priest may baptize your child. The usual baptismal form needs to be completed and the baptism needs to be scheduled. Contact the office to schedule a time for a visiting priest to baptize your child.

Baptism at a Different Parish
Occasionally, St. Maria Goretti parishioners may have their children baptized at another parish. Usually, this is so that more family members can attend the baptism. The parents would need to attend the pre-baptism class here, and the Pastor would then write a letter to the pastor/priest where the baptism will occur.