We encourage parents to baptize their child within the first few weeks after they’re born. We do, however, ask parents to attend a baptism preparation class before presenting their child for this sacrament. We want to ensure parents understand the sacrament and their roles in raising the child in their Catholic faith. By attending the Baptism class before the baby is born, it will allow the baby to be baptized within weeks after the birth.
Baptism classes are the 4th Saturday of the month from 9am-11:30am. (Exceptions: the 3rd Saturday in November due to Thanksgiving and no class in December). To register for the baptism class, fill out the Baptism Class Registration form found on the website under “Baptism Forms”.
You may be considered exempt from taking the class if you have had 3 or more children baptized into the Catholic faith, or have taken a Baptism Preparation Class within the last 3 years. If you have taken a class within the last three years, we ask that a letter be provided by the parish where the class was taken stating the date that the class was completed.
No. Parents and Godparents (Christian Witnesses) take the same baptism class.
There is not a fee to receive the actual Sacrament. However, we do have a small supply fee of $30 that we ask for upon registering for a Baptism. We will not deny any person the Sacrament of Baptism because of an inability to pay this supply fee. Please contact the Baptism Coordinator if you need financial assistance.
A white garment is traditional, signifying the cleansing received in the waters of Baptism and the purity of beginning a new life in Christ. You may wish to change your child into this garment once you’ve arrived for the baptism. Allow extra time for this!
No. St. Jude will provide the Baptismal candle as well as a symbolic white stole. Both may be taken home by the family.
It is customary, but not required, to give a stipend to the clergy member who officiates the Baptism. The amount is discretionary and can be given to the celebrant on the day of the Baptism after the ceremony.
Photography is welcome at Baptisms, however, we ask that you refrain from using flash photography during the ceremony.
No, however we would invite your entire family to be involved in the upbringing of your child in the Catholic Faith. Different Family and cultural traditions are important to raising your children in the faith and are encouraged by the church.
No. One Godparent, male or female is sufficient; but there may be two, one of each sex. This means there cannot be two of the same sex, and there cannot be more than two Godparents. The only possibilities are (1) one Godparent or (2) one Godparent of each sex. (Canon Law #873)
Unless the marriage is recognized as valid by the Church, this person cannot serve as a Godparent.
No. The Catholic must meet all the requirements for Catholics, even if the other Godparent is Catholic. For example, the parents have, with difficulty, decided on one sponsor who is Catholic and meets all the requirements. The second sponsor is “hard to find” and may be a Catholic who never was confirmed, someone who has left the Church, or whose marriage is not recognized by the Church. In these cases, the Catholic cannot stand as the Christian Witness or the Godparent. That person can play other important roles in the child’s life.
Yes. If the priest or deacon is the officiant and the Godparent, he designates a proxy to be the Godparent during the Rite of Baptism.
Possibly. Separation or divorce does not necessarily inhibit a person from being a Godparent, but please contact the Baptism Coordinator for clarification for your situation.
If the Godparents cannot be present at the Baptism, proxies can “stand in” and be designated to answer the parts of the Godparents during the Rite. They should meet the same qualifications as Godparents but do not have to take the baptism class or submit the Godparent Affidavit Form.
Yes. At. St. Jude we ask both Godparents and Christian Witnesses to attend a Baptism Preparation Class which may be taken in-person or online. The baptism class at St. Jude is offered on the 4th Saturday of the month from 9am – 11:30am. The registration form for the class is found in the “Baptism Form” section on the main Baptism webpage. Information on the on-line class can be found by clicking on the Godparent Information tab. Godparents/Christian Witnesses do not have to take the baptism class if they have taken the class within the last 3 years. Please contact the church where the class was attended and ask them to provide a letter stating when the class was taken and have it emailed to the Baptism Coordinator at St. Jude. Please notify the Baptism Coordinator if you attended the class at St. Jude.
It is suggested that you register as a parishioner or live within our parish boundaries before having your child baptized here. If you are not a registered parishioner and live outside our parish boundaries, you will need a letter of permission from your home parish or the parish within whose boundaries you reside.
Baptisms are held on (most) Saturdays at 3:30pm. Spanish Baptisms are held on the second Saturday of the month at 3:30pm beginning in September 2023.
No, however, we would invite those who have not received this Sacrament to talk with one of our clergy for more information on how to celebrate this Sacrament.
One parent must be a baptized Catholic. If neither parent is baptized, please speak to the Baptism Preparation Coordinator to determine if an exception applies. If one or both of the parents have expressed an intent to become Catholic, the child may be baptized. As long as there is an earnest desire for the child to be reared in the Catholic faith, the Church will work with the parents on baptizing the child and addressing any specific concerns.
Yes, only one parent needs to have received the Sacrament of Baptism. The other parent must agree to have the child baptized. Please note, however, that if one or both of the parents have expressed an intent to become Catholic, the child may be baptized. As long as there is an earnest desire for the child to be reared in the Catholic faith, the Church will work with the parents on baptizing the child and addressing any specific concerns.