Preparing for Baptism at St James or St Mary of Mount Carmel

If you are currently expecting, or if your child has already been born and is not yet baptized, please contact the parish office to begin the process of preparing and scheduling your child's baptism.

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Requirements:

• Parents should be registered parishioners at St James or St Mary of Mount Carmel.   If you are not a registered  member of our parishes, a letter from your parish priest giving permision for the baptism to take place here is required.

• Parents should be actively practicing the Catholic faith.

• If this is your first child to be baptized, parents are required to attend a baptism preparation class with Deacon Art.

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For Children Under the Age of 7

• Please contact the parish office to let us know you would like to schedule your child's baptism.

• If this is your first child to be baptized, Deacon Art will be notified and he will contact you to set up the required preparation class.  During the class, Deacon Art will provide, and guide you through, the required Registration and Sponsor Forms

• If you already have a child baptized in the Catholic Faith, you are not required to attend another preparation class.  After contacting the parish office, you can either pick up the Registration and Sponsor Forms from the office, or conveniently download them here.  ​

 

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Please be aware that a Baptism will not take place untill all of the required forms have been completed and returned to the parish at least 2 weeks prior to the Baptism.

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Baptism of Older Children

Older children, who understand what is going on and have reached a catechetical age of reason (over 7 years old) prepare in a unique way for this sacrament. These children and their families prepare not only for baptism, but for full initiation through Confirmation and Eucharist as well.   Please contact the parish office to begin this process.

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Baptism of Adults.

Adults who desire baptism prepare through the OCIA program (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). This program prepares adults for initiation into the Catholic Faith, through baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. Please contact the parish office for more information. The Catholic Church recognizes the baptism of those Christian denominations which baptize with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and which believe in the doctrine of the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus Christ. Baptism is not recognized in churches which believe in nontrinitarianism (e.g., Mormon Church; Jehovah’s Witnesses) or which do not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ (e.g., Christian Science). If you are validly baptized in another Christian denomination and wish to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church, please contact the parish office for more information.​

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Choosing a Sponsor (Godparent)

​​Choosing a godparent is a big decision. Think of someone whose faith you admire, someone you trust will help guide your child on their faith journey. This is not the time to choose someone you feel you owe a favor, or someone to whom you wish to say “thank you,” but someone who will help the grace of Baptism to unfold in your child.

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The principal responsibility of a godparent is to give witness to the Catholic Faith by his/her words and actions. The role is, together with the parents, to present the child for Baptism and help the child live a life rooted in the Catholic faith. When called upon to profess the Catholic faith on behalf of the infant, the godparent must believe in what he/she is professing. 

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To be a sponsor, a person must:

• Be at least 16 years of age.

• Be a fully initiated Roman Catholic, having received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation.

• Participate in Sunday Mass weekly.

• (If married) have been married in the Catholic Church.

• (If not married) be living a moral single life. (e.g. not cohabitating)

• Understand the responsibility of a sponsor and have both the desire and intention to fulfill it faithfully.

• Not be the parent or step-parent of the one to be baptized.

• The Catholic Church permits one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each. 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. This is called a Christian Witness.​​​​​​​​​​​​

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