Baptismal Preparation

We at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton are happy that you want to have your baby baptized. The baptism of your child provides an opportunity for your entire family to reflect on a faith-filled life and spirituality. In bringing your child to the Church to receive this Sacrament, you are saying that you desire to share your living faith with your child. This is a step you are taking to raise your child within the community of believers and to educate them in the Catholic faith.

First Steps

1. Fill out a baptismal Registration Form (navigation pane on left).
2. Provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate.
3. Have godparents read and sign godparent declarations. Godparents also need to provide letters of good standing from parishes where they are registered.
4. Bring all signed forms to the parish office, and at that point a date can be assigned. Please do not email the forms.  All forms must be signed by both parents.

Age of Child

Membership

When you call the parish office at SEAS or come in to talk to us about the baptism of your child, we will look and see if:

1. you are registered in the parish and
2. you practice your faith.

If you are not registered, now is the time to register! Once your family is registered, then we ask that you begin your journey to baptism. Although the Sacrament of Baptism does not have a cost for parishioners, the day of the Baptism you will have the opportunity to make a donation to the church.

Baptismal Preparation Classes

Our baptism classes will be held in the Administration Room. Registration is required. The date of class can be found at the navigation pane on left of this page or in the bulletin.
(In addition, you may attend classes at a neighboring parish. Please check their class schedules. A letter of verification of attendance from that church is required.)

It is necessary that both parents attend a baptism class if this is their first child being baptized. If both parents have attended a baptismal preparation class within the last 5 years, we would welcome their participation but do not require that they attend again.

Requirements for Parents

At least one of the parents should be a practicing Catholic willing to commit to the task of rearing their child in the faith of the Church. Parents should accept that they are the first and foremost teachers of the faith.

Often times the baptism of the child encourages the parents to participate fully in the practice and living of their faith. The birth of the child and the desire to have that child baptized serves as a catalyst for the parents to return to a faith-filled life within the Catholic community.

Requirements for Godparents/Sponsors

Godparents need to have actively emerged in the Catholic tradition. They serve as models and guides in the life of the child and the parents. They, along with the priest and parents, welcome the child to the community and signify that welcome by marking the child with the Sign of the ross. Godparents promise to support the parents in raising the child in the practice of the faith.

Choosing a godparent/sponsor is a very personal decision, however, the Church does ask that certain requirements be met:

1. At least 16 years of age.
2. A practicing Catholic who is baptized and confirmed and has received First Communion.
3. Someone other than the parents of the child to be baptized.
4. Leading a life in harmony with the Catholic faith and the role they are about to assume.

Note: Only one godparent/sponsor is required. As long as one of the godparents is a practicing Catholic, a baptized practicing non-Catholic Christian may serve as a “Christian Witness” as a second sponsor to the baptism. A Christian Witness is not required to take the baptismal preparation class, but they are welcome to attend.