Baptism
For Information about adult Baptism, we encourage you to contact the office regarding the RCIA program. We would love to welcome you as you seek the sacraments of initiation in our Church.
Baptisms for children under 7 years of age take place on the 2nd and 4th weekend of the month. First time parents must attend Baptismal Preparatory class. Parents may schedule Baptisms early and even during pregnancy.
Baptisms for children under 7 years of age take place on the 2nd and 4th weekend of the month. First time parents must attend Baptismal Preparatory class. Parents may schedule Baptisms early and even during pregnancy.
Reborn of Water and the Spirit: The Rite of Baptism
Reborn of Water and the Spirit: The Rite of Baptism
Jesus’ departing words at the end of St. Matthew’s gospel are: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20a) Baptism makes one a disciple of Jesus, someone who follows him and learns from Him. For this reason, adults must come to an understanding and trust of Jesus’ teachings before coming to baptism. Infants are too small to understand Jesus’ teachings intellectually, but they too receive the gift of understanding the teachings of Christ as they grow in age. All who have become disciples of Christ through baptism are by that token joined to his Church, the community of all who are united in Christ. This means that baptism brings the obligation to live as a Christian, following the commandments of Christ and His Church. The Christian life, beginning with baptism, is a constant process of strengthening that communion, through faith, sacraments, and life, so that one day it might become perfect in heaven. Requirements for Infant Baptisms at Saint Paul
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(Note: If the child to be baptized is seven years old or older, the child must have formal instruction prior to the baptism (Code of Canon Law: Can. 97 §2). For information regarding the baptism of a child over seven years old or the baptism of an adult, please contact DeLesa Conway, at 252-638-1984 or dconway@spccnb.org to set up a meeting with the pastor.
In order to help the parents prepare for Baptism, and to help the infants to grow in faith as they grow in age, the Church has certain requirements for baptism. Hence, to have a child younger than seven years old baptized at Saint Paul, we need you to do the following:
1. Fully complete the Baptism Request Form. The form may be downloaded here or it may be requested from the parish office.
2. Be a registered member of Saint Paul Catholic Church. If you are registered at another parish, you must provide a letter from the pastor which states that you are registered, active parishioners at that parish and which grants permission for the baptism to occur at Saint Paul. (C857-p2) If you wish to register at Saint Paul, download from the parish website and complete the Saint Paul Registration Form. This form can also be found in the narthex/atrium of the church or requested from the parish office.
3. Provide the birth certificate or hospital letter of the child. If the child was adopted, a copy of the final degree of adoption must be submitted instead.
4. Provide the name(s) of the godparent(s). If there are two godparents and they are married, they must be a man and a woman and have been married by the Catholic Church. (C873 & C874) In addition, at least one of the godparents, according to the Canon Law of the Church, must be practicing Catholic who is above sixteen years old and has received the three sacraments of initiation (baptism, Eucharist, and confirmation). A sponsor certificate is required for each godparent. This certificate should be requested by the godparent at the Catholic church at which he or she is registered. This must be received by the parish office prior to scheduling the baptism. If a godparent is a registered parishioner at Saint Paul, he/she does not need to submit an eligibility letter.
5. Attend a baptism preparation class at Saint Paul or submit a letter from the parish where you attended the class. The baptism class is on the 2nd Wednesday of every-other month (English) and the last Saturday of each month (Spanish). Both parents and Godparents are required to attend a class. Please register prior to attending the class by emailing: baptisms@spccnb.org
In order to help the parents prepare for Baptism, and to help the infants to grow in faith as they grow in age, the Church has certain requirements for baptism. Hence, to have a child younger than seven years old baptized at Saint Paul, we need you to do the following:
1. Fully complete the Baptism Request Form. The form may be downloaded here or it may be requested from the parish office.
2. Be a registered member of Saint Paul Catholic Church. If you are registered at another parish, you must provide a letter from the pastor which states that you are registered, active parishioners at that parish and which grants permission for the baptism to occur at Saint Paul. (C857-p2) If you wish to register at Saint Paul, download from the parish website and complete the Saint Paul Registration Form. This form can also be found in the narthex/atrium of the church or requested from the parish office.
3. Provide the birth certificate or hospital letter of the child. If the child was adopted, a copy of the final degree of adoption must be submitted instead.
4. Provide the name(s) of the godparent(s). If there are two godparents and they are married, they must be a man and a woman and have been married by the Catholic Church. (C873 & C874) In addition, at least one of the godparents, according to the Canon Law of the Church, must be practicing Catholic who is above sixteen years old and has received the three sacraments of initiation (baptism, Eucharist, and confirmation). A sponsor certificate is required for each godparent. This certificate should be requested by the godparent at the Catholic church at which he or she is registered. This must be received by the parish office prior to scheduling the baptism. If a godparent is a registered parishioner at Saint Paul, he/she does not need to submit an eligibility letter.
5. Attend a baptism preparation class at Saint Paul or submit a letter from the parish where you attended the class. The baptism class is on the 2nd Wednesday of every-other month (English) and the last Saturday of each month (Spanish). Both parents and Godparents are required to attend a class. Please register prior to attending the class by emailing: baptisms@spccnb.org
Paperwork Checklist
All the following must be submitted by the parents in a single envelope to: baptisms@spccnb.org
1. Baptism Request Form (See #1 above.)
2. If you are not a registered parishioner at Saint Paul, a letter from the parish at which you are a registered member. (See #2 above.)
3. The birth certificate or hospital letter of the child to be baptized or the final decree of adoption for an adopted child. (See #3 above.)
4. The names of the godparents and their letter of good standing from their pastor or church. (See #4 above.)
5. If you are not attending the baptism preparation class at Saint Paul, a letter from the parish at which you attended a baptism preparation class. (See #5 above)
The following must be provided by the godparents:
Sponsor certificate(s) from the parish at which they are registered members. (See #4 under Requirements.) If this letter is given to the parents of the child to be baptized, it must be submitted sealed at the same time as the other items listed above.
1. Baptism Request Form (See #1 above.)
2. If you are not a registered parishioner at Saint Paul, a letter from the parish at which you are a registered member. (See #2 above.)
3. The birth certificate or hospital letter of the child to be baptized or the final decree of adoption for an adopted child. (See #3 above.)
4. The names of the godparents and their letter of good standing from their pastor or church. (See #4 above.)
5. If you are not attending the baptism preparation class at Saint Paul, a letter from the parish at which you attended a baptism preparation class. (See #5 above)
The following must be provided by the godparents:
Sponsor certificate(s) from the parish at which they are registered members. (See #4 under Requirements.) If this letter is given to the parents of the child to be baptized, it must be submitted sealed at the same time as the other items listed above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. My family has all been baptized at Saint Paul, but now I live in another state. Can I arrange a baptism at Saint Paul?
A. Yes, you would need to download the Saint Paul Baptism Registration Form, fill it out, and submit it along with a letter from the pastor of your home parish granting permission to have your child baptized outside of your home parish. Please remember that the parish of the baptism determines where all future sacramental records will be located for that child.
Q. I was married at Saint Paul, but I have let my membership lapse. Can I arrange for the baptism of my child?
A. Yes, but you need to first renew your membership at Saint Paul by filling out the Parish Registration Form attached below and become an active parishioner prior to the baptism.
Q. Can we request a specific clergy member to officiate at the baptism? What if we want to invite a priest from another parish?
A. You may request a specific clergy only if you have made prior arrangements with him. Please indicate on the Baptism Registration Form if you have made prior arrangements with a specific clergy member. If you want to invite a guest priest from another parish, you will need to make prior arrangements with that clergy prior to completing the registration form, and indicate the priest’s name and parish on the form. We schedule baptisms with guest priests at alternate times depending on the Saint Paul calendar availability.
Q. I want to have my child baptized in my parents’ parish in my home town. Should I fill out Saint Paul's baptism registration form or the home parish’s baptism registration form?
A. Usually, you will need to fill out the home parish’s forms so please call that parish to find out which paperwork they need. Some parishes will accept Saint Paul's forms in order to transcribe to their own forms after you mail our forms to them. You need to call or email that home parish. You should be aware that if your child is baptized at another parish, that parish will become the church of record for this baptism. It will not be registered at Sacred Heart.
Q. This is my second child to be baptized here/another parish. Do I need to attend another baptism preparation class?
A. No. If you have taken the baptism preparation class within three years, you may indicate that on the baptism registration form for exemption. If it has been more than three years, you will need to retake the class as a refresher.
Q. My child is not an infant. Can he/she be baptized now?
A. Children under 7 years of age may be baptized. Children who are 7 years or older must complete their catechism prior to baptism. For information regarding the baptism of a child over seven years old or an adult, please email: baptisms@spccnb.org
Q. I am divorced and remarried. Will my new spouse or my ex-spouse’s name be on the baptism certificate?
A. The parental names on the baptism certificate will be determined by the names on the child’s birth certificate. Therefore, the ex-spouse’s name will be on the baptism certificate unless the child has been legally adopted by the new spouse. If the child has been adopted by the new spouse, both the birth certificate and the final decree of adoption must be submitted. If the child has been adopted by both parents, only the final decree of adoption should be submitted.
Q. Do I need to bring a candle to the baptism?
A. No, you don’t need to bring a candle.
Q. Should I give the clergy a stipend gift?
A. While the clergy do not want to associate sacraments with money, it is always appreciated if you give the officiating clergy a monetary gift as a thank you.
Q. We had a baptism at Saint Paul, but misplaced the baptism certificate. Can we get another copy?
A. Yes. Please fill out the baptism registration form below.
Q. How do I obtain the sponsor eligibility letter since I have been asked to be a Godparent? Who is the letter sent to? Do I get a copy?
A. Instructions differ depending upon if you are a Saint Paul parishioner or a parishioner of another parish. •If you are a Saint Paul parishioner who is going to be a godparent at Saint Paul, you will not need to obtain a letter. The parents of the child will need to indicate on their Saint Paul Baptism Registration Form that you are a Saint Paul parishioner. •If you are a Saint Paul parishioner who is going to be a godparent at another parish, please download the Certificate of Sponsorship, complete it, and have it signed by one of the priests or deacons at Saint Paul. Please note: you must be a registered and active member of Saint Paul for at least three months before you can submit the certificate for signing. •If you are a parishioner in another parish who is going to be a godparent at Saint Paul, you will need to contact your home parish and request a godparent/sponsor eligibility letter with a stamped seal. If the godparent will attend a baptism preparation class at his/her home parish, the eligibility letter should state not only the godparent’s active status, but also the attendance at a baptism preparation class. Sometimes, a parish will issue two separate letters for the active status and the baptism preparation class attendance. Upon completing the letter, you may give it to the parents requesting the baptism or send it directly to DeLesa Conway at Saint Paul Catholic Church.
Q. I am using the same Godparents for my second child’s baptism as I used for my first child’s baptism. Do they need to get another letter of eligibility?
A. No.
Q. I am a parishioner at Saint Paul, and I have been asked to be a Godparent for a baptism that will take place at Saint Paul. Do I need to arrange for a godparent eligibility letter?
A. No.
Q. Do I have to attend a baptism preparation class since I have been asked to be a godparent? I have my Godparent eligibility letter stating that I am an active parishioner in my home parish.
A. Yes, both parents and godparents have to attend a baptism preparation class in addition to being an active parishioner in a parish. If the godparent is going to attend a baptism preparation class at his/her home parish, the eligibility letter should state not only the godparent’s active status, but also the attendance at a baptism preparation class. Sometimes, a parish will issue two separate letters for the active status and the baptism preparation class attendance.
A. Yes, you would need to download the Saint Paul Baptism Registration Form, fill it out, and submit it along with a letter from the pastor of your home parish granting permission to have your child baptized outside of your home parish. Please remember that the parish of the baptism determines where all future sacramental records will be located for that child.
Q. I was married at Saint Paul, but I have let my membership lapse. Can I arrange for the baptism of my child?
A. Yes, but you need to first renew your membership at Saint Paul by filling out the Parish Registration Form attached below and become an active parishioner prior to the baptism.
Q. Can we request a specific clergy member to officiate at the baptism? What if we want to invite a priest from another parish?
A. You may request a specific clergy only if you have made prior arrangements with him. Please indicate on the Baptism Registration Form if you have made prior arrangements with a specific clergy member. If you want to invite a guest priest from another parish, you will need to make prior arrangements with that clergy prior to completing the registration form, and indicate the priest’s name and parish on the form. We schedule baptisms with guest priests at alternate times depending on the Saint Paul calendar availability.
Q. I want to have my child baptized in my parents’ parish in my home town. Should I fill out Saint Paul's baptism registration form or the home parish’s baptism registration form?
A. Usually, you will need to fill out the home parish’s forms so please call that parish to find out which paperwork they need. Some parishes will accept Saint Paul's forms in order to transcribe to their own forms after you mail our forms to them. You need to call or email that home parish. You should be aware that if your child is baptized at another parish, that parish will become the church of record for this baptism. It will not be registered at Sacred Heart.
Q. This is my second child to be baptized here/another parish. Do I need to attend another baptism preparation class?
A. No. If you have taken the baptism preparation class within three years, you may indicate that on the baptism registration form for exemption. If it has been more than three years, you will need to retake the class as a refresher.
Q. My child is not an infant. Can he/she be baptized now?
A. Children under 7 years of age may be baptized. Children who are 7 years or older must complete their catechism prior to baptism. For information regarding the baptism of a child over seven years old or an adult, please email: baptisms@spccnb.org
Q. I am divorced and remarried. Will my new spouse or my ex-spouse’s name be on the baptism certificate?
A. The parental names on the baptism certificate will be determined by the names on the child’s birth certificate. Therefore, the ex-spouse’s name will be on the baptism certificate unless the child has been legally adopted by the new spouse. If the child has been adopted by the new spouse, both the birth certificate and the final decree of adoption must be submitted. If the child has been adopted by both parents, only the final decree of adoption should be submitted.
Q. Do I need to bring a candle to the baptism?
A. No, you don’t need to bring a candle.
Q. Should I give the clergy a stipend gift?
A. While the clergy do not want to associate sacraments with money, it is always appreciated if you give the officiating clergy a monetary gift as a thank you.
Q. We had a baptism at Saint Paul, but misplaced the baptism certificate. Can we get another copy?
A. Yes. Please fill out the baptism registration form below.
Q. How do I obtain the sponsor eligibility letter since I have been asked to be a Godparent? Who is the letter sent to? Do I get a copy?
A. Instructions differ depending upon if you are a Saint Paul parishioner or a parishioner of another parish. •If you are a Saint Paul parishioner who is going to be a godparent at Saint Paul, you will not need to obtain a letter. The parents of the child will need to indicate on their Saint Paul Baptism Registration Form that you are a Saint Paul parishioner. •If you are a Saint Paul parishioner who is going to be a godparent at another parish, please download the Certificate of Sponsorship, complete it, and have it signed by one of the priests or deacons at Saint Paul. Please note: you must be a registered and active member of Saint Paul for at least three months before you can submit the certificate for signing. •If you are a parishioner in another parish who is going to be a godparent at Saint Paul, you will need to contact your home parish and request a godparent/sponsor eligibility letter with a stamped seal. If the godparent will attend a baptism preparation class at his/her home parish, the eligibility letter should state not only the godparent’s active status, but also the attendance at a baptism preparation class. Sometimes, a parish will issue two separate letters for the active status and the baptism preparation class attendance. Upon completing the letter, you may give it to the parents requesting the baptism or send it directly to DeLesa Conway at Saint Paul Catholic Church.
Q. I am using the same Godparents for my second child’s baptism as I used for my first child’s baptism. Do they need to get another letter of eligibility?
A. No.
Q. I am a parishioner at Saint Paul, and I have been asked to be a Godparent for a baptism that will take place at Saint Paul. Do I need to arrange for a godparent eligibility letter?
A. No.
Q. Do I have to attend a baptism preparation class since I have been asked to be a godparent? I have my Godparent eligibility letter stating that I am an active parishioner in my home parish.
A. Yes, both parents and godparents have to attend a baptism preparation class in addition to being an active parishioner in a parish. If the godparent is going to attend a baptism preparation class at his/her home parish, the eligibility letter should state not only the godparent’s active status, but also the attendance at a baptism preparation class. Sometimes, a parish will issue two separate letters for the active status and the baptism preparation class attendance.