Baptism

"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." 

Catechism of the Catholic Church §1213

STEPS TO HAVE YOUR CHILD BAPTIZED

• Attend a Baptismal Seminar – Baptismal Seminars are usually held on the fourth Monday of each month. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED and can be requested by our online FORM or by contacting our Baptism Coordinator, Deacon Bob Repke. If you have already attended one within the last two years from the date of the scheduled baptism, you will need to submit the certificate of completion. After two year, you will need to complete another seminar.

• Complete a Baptismal Packet – Parents/guardians wanting to have their child baptized must complete a Baptismal Packet. Your completed packet must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the Baptismal Seminar. 

• Submit all Sponsor Letters/Forms –The prospective godparent(s) should obtain a sponsor letter or form from the parish where he or she is registered. If the godparent is a registered parishioner here at St. Joseph, he or she is required to complete and submit a Sponsor Eligibility Form (see link below for a downloadable form). If the potential sponsor has been registered here at St. Joseph for less than 6 months, that person will need to have their previous parish complete the Sponsor Eligibility Form. 

Sponsors & Christian Witnesses (according to Canon Law)

• Only one male OR one female Sponsor OR one of each gender is to be selected.
• At least one of the godparents is required to be in Full Communion with the Catholic Church, registered at a parish, and participate in Sunday Mass and Holy Days.
• A person who is baptized in another Christian faith, is called a Christian Witness.
• A sponsor must be at least 16 years of age and may not be the mother or father of the person receiving a sacrament.

Baptismal dates are not set until a Baptismal Seminar has been completed and all paperwork (including Sponsor Eligibility Forms) have been submitted and approved. 

You do not have to wait until your child's birth to complete a seminar.

Pope Francis quote on the Sacrament of Baptism:
"Baptism permits Christ to live in us, and to live united with Him, in order to collaborate in the Church, each according to his or her own condition, to the transformation of the world.”
– Apr 2018 - Weekly General Audience in Paul VI Hall at Vatican City
 

For more information
please cONTACT OUR bAPTISM cOORDINATOR:
Deacon Bob Repke
(904) 557-0303

Please submit all Baptism forms and letters to:  
[email protected]