Baptism information

• Parents must attend a Baptismal Preparation class before the Baptism can take place (Godparents are encouraged to attend also).  Parents must register by filling out an information form and will be contacted by the Baptismal team to arrange a meeting and schedule preparation classes.
• Early registration is encouraged.  Consider attending the class before your baby arrives.
• The preparation class includes a video presentation on the Sacrament of Baptism.  Topics also include the importance of prayer and spirituality that are a necessary part of supporting the newly baptized along the faith journey. An explanation of the Rite of Baptism as well as a time for questions and answers concludes the preparation.

See below for more information on selecting godparents.

Expectant parents are encouraged to contact the Parish Office to schedule an appointment to attend the required Baptism Class. Parents must be registered parishioners and should be attending Mass regularly. Baptism are performed on Sunday’s following the 11:00 a.m. Mass.

If you are seeking Baptism for your child: 

Please contact us at (386) 439-2791  denise@smdmcc.org

Canon Law Requirements for Godparents for Baptism

There seems to be some confusion when Godparents are being considered between wanting to have one’s best friend or another relative or acquaintance be the God parent.

 Catholics must have fully initiated Catholic as godparents; that is Godparents in a Catholic baptism needs to be a practicing Catholic and also needs to have received the three sacraments of Initiation, Baptism First Eucharist, and Confirmation.  A Godparent cannot be expected to mentor a Godchild if the Godparent himself/herself hasn’t received all of the sacraments of initiation.

 A person who is not a Catholic but is a member of a Christian Church with a valid baptism and who has received that valid Baptism in their own church can act as a Christian Witness for the child.  In that case, the other sponsor needs to be a fully initiated practicing Catholic.

 All Godparents (or the single Christian Witness) also have to have attained the age of 16.  When there are two Godparents, one has to be male and the other female.

 Also, a Godparent is a permanent choice.  In other words if you have a falling out with the person or persons you select to be a Godparent, there name cannot be removed from the official record of the child’s baptism.  Another consideration when making a choice of Godparent.

 Please consult with the Pastor before asking the person you want as a Godparent to be certain that you have the correct information in order to make an appropriate choice.

Canon Law regarding Godparents

SPONSORS

Can.  872 Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.

Can.  873 There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.

Can.  874 §1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:

1  be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;

2  have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;

3  be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;

4  not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;

5  not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.

§2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism