Infant Baptism

If you are planning to have your baby baptized in the Catholic faith, please follow these instructions:

1. To request Baptism at St. Jude the family should ordinarily be members of the parish.

2.  Infant Baptism is for children from infancy age to six years of age.

3. Complete the Sacrament of Baptism Registration form.

4. Attach a copy of the child’s original Birth Certificate to the form.

5. Attend a Baptism Preparation Class.

6. Both parents are asked to take a Baptism Preparation Class.  These classes are offered through St. Jude once a month.  Class dates and registration forms are available online.  You may be considered exempt from taking the class (if you have had a child baptized into the Catholic faith, or have taken a Baptism Prep class within the last 3 years).

7. Forms for registering for the Baptism Preparation Class are available online and must be received prior to the scheduled class.  Each class is limited in size, so please register early.  Preparation classes are offered on the 4th Saturday of most months from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm in the Lecture Hall (PC406).  There is a $5.00 per couple fee for parents. Godparents are no charge.  No children are allowed.

8. Choose a Godparent or Godparents according to the listed requirements.
   
   On-line baptism class is offered by Ascension Press at www.ascensionpress.com. Go to ‘Study Programs’ then to ‘Sacramental Preparation’ then chose ‘Belonging’. Choose ‘Certification Course’. There is a $9.95 fee

The Canon Law of the Catholic Church requires a male Godparent, or a female Godparent, or one of each.  Before selecting Godparents, please carefully review the Godparent Information Form.  If you only have one Godparent, then a second person can be named as a “Christian Witness’ provided they practice another Christian faith.

All required letters and outstanding forms must be in the church office two weeks prior to the anticipated Baptism date.  For more information, contact baptism@stjudeparish.com at x2210.

Children Baptism

Children who have reached the “age of discretion” (7-years-old) must be initiated (baptized and confirmed) using the Rite of Initiation of Adults, adapted for children.

If you wish to have your child (over the age of seven) baptized, please contact the Children’s Ministries office Julie Buchanan at x2225 for information about the preparation classes.

Adult Baptism

Adults seeking baptism need to proceed through the Rite of Initiation of Adults (RCIA program with the assumption that their baptism in the Catholic Church signifies their desire to become Catholic as well.  RCIA will prepare the adults for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, and Reconciliation.  Please contact Della Doss  at x2230 if you are interested in this program.