Requirements for Infant Baptism
CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 7 YEARS
With great joy and thanksgiving, Saint Thomas More Catholic Church welcomes children into the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism! The goodness of your lives and your faith make possible this wonderful celebration of the eternal life bestowed by our gracious God. Children in need of Baptism who are 7 years of age and older,have a different process for Christian Initiation.
Our Roman Catholic Church’s General Instruction for Christian Initiation teaches us that
“As far as possible, all recently born babies should be baptized at a common celebration on the same day. Except for a good reason, baptism should not be celebrated more than once on the same day in the same church.” (GICI, 27).
We have adjusted this directive according to current public health protocols for the COVID-19 pandemic. We can only baptize one child at one baptismal liturgy each Sunday.
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Registered parishioners of Saint Thomas More Church are welcome to present a child for Baptism in on of the two churches of the parish.
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Parents who are not a registered parishioners, will need to speak with our pastor Fr. Julian P. Harris before planning a baptism in this parish.
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We ask you to present a copy of the child ’s birth certificate so that the place and date of birth may be noted appropriately.
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We ask you to complete a baptismal information form in which you list the child ’s name, your own names as parents and the names of your chosen God-parents or sponsors. Because the listing of baptism is a legal document, we need to have the father’s full name and the mother’s name with the maiden name. The baptism certificate and record will follow this requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT INFANT BAPTISM AT ST. THOMAS MORE
Parents
Parents must be registered, practicing members of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish.
Parents must complete the enclosed Baptism Data Form. This form is used to identify the child to be baptized, prepare the baptism certificate, and record the baptism in our Sacramental Record Book.
Parents registered in another church parish who wish to have their child baptized at MBS must first obtain a letter of permission from the pastor of the church parish in which they are registered.
Parents are required to attend a Baptism Seminar. If a seminar was attended within a 3 year period, this requirement is waived.
Baptism date cannot be scheduled until a baptism seminar has been attended and all of the enclosed paperwork is returned to the parish office.
Godparents
Godparents must be practicing Catholics who are at least 16 years of age and must have received the Sacraments of Baptism , Eucharist, and Confirmation. If married, the godparents must be married in the Catholic Church or had their marriage blessed by the Catholic Church.
Godparents must have the enclosed Godparent Eligibility Form signed by their pastor indicating that they are registered parishioners, practicing Catholics, and are qualified to serve as a godparent.
Godparents are not required to attend a Baptism Seminar, but are encouraged to do so.