Baptism

The birth of a child is a beautiful and wonderful event. Needless to say, you have been preparing in many ways for this event from the moment you learned of the expected birth. Most likely you have been in close consultation with your medical doctor and with the hospitals that provide various classes in preparation for the birth. This is as it should be because a child changes its parents' lives. You will never be the same again as you welcome with love this new life into your lives.

Baptism is an important event for you in the life of your child. The people of God, the Church, made present in the local parish have an important part to play in the baptism of children. The priest at the Parish of St. Pius X represent that community and we wish to assure you that we will do all that we can to help make your child's baptism a meaningful and sacramental event. The guidelines are intended to explain what preparation is required and, hopefully, answer some questions you might have. Please feel free to ask any questions or make any requests if they are not addressed.

Pre-Jordan Requirement

Parents of a child who is to be baptized are to be suitably instructed on the meaning of this sacrament and the obligations attached to it. Certainly it is a timely opportunity for parents to review their own faith, especially regarding Baptism, and to consider the responsibility they have in handing that faith on to their children. The following is a list of Pre-Jordan requirements for the parish of St. Pius X.

1. Parents must be registered members of the parish. (Exceptions require the pastor's approval.)
2. Pre-registration for the class is necessary and should be at least one week before the class.
3. No baptism will be administered at St. Pius X until parents have attended the Pre-Jordan class.

Planning the Baptism

1. In making arrangements with the rectory, call during office hours (Monday-Thursday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM and Friday, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM). Information needed for church records is:
   1. Baby's Name
   2. Date of Birth
   3. Mother's maiden name
   4. Names of sponsors
2. The times preferred for baptism are:
   1. At the 4:00 PM, 8:00 AM or 10:00 AM Masses
   2. After the 10:00 AM  Mass on any Sunday (there may be more than one Baptism scheduled for this time)
   3. Other days of the week may be requested for pastoral reasons, subject to the priest's approval.

Sponsors/Godparents

Great care should be taken in asking someone to be the sponsor ("godparent" or "witness") of an infant about to be received into the Church. The following guidelines are intended to help you consider carefully and prayerfully why you are asking someone to be a sponsor and who you will ask to accept this responsibility.

1. In choosing a sponsor for baptism the decision should be based on more than blood-relationships or good friendship.
2. Church law requires at least ONE sponsor, but TWO is customary. (Permission for more than two will not be granted.
3. A baptized person who belongs to another Christian Tradition may be a "witness" along with a Catholic sponsor.
4. The Catholic sponsor must be a baptized Catholic who has been Confirmed and received First Communion and who lives the Catholic faith, (i.e. attending Mass, receiving the sacraments and above all, providing good example of faith.)
5. A sponsor must be at least 16 years old, unless another minimum age has been stipulated by the diocesan Bishop.