The Sacrament of Baptism
Please take 10 minutes to watch this video, to see what happens at a Catholic Baptism:
Choosing Godparents:
A person to be baptized has a Godparent who together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A Godparent also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life by faithfully fulfilling our Christian responsibilities . There is to be only one male Godparent or one female Godparent or one of each.
Godparent Requirements:
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Designated by the parents or the person who takes their place, and they have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function
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Completed the sixteenth year of age, or the pastor has granted an exception for a just cause*
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Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on
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Practice the Catholic Faith by regularly attending Sunday Mass and the Sacraments
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Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared
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Not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized
Please note that only one Godparent is required. The maximum number of Godparent sponsors is two, in which case they must both be Catholics, and one male and one female.
*An example of a ‘just cause’ for permitting someone under the age of sixteen would be that the person will be turning sixteen in a matter of days or weeks, and he or she is known to demonstrate an extraordinary piety and level of maturity.
Christian Witnesses:
A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community can participate together with a Catholic Godparent, only as a witness of the baptism. This can be noted on the certificate by request. In this case they would be called “Christian Witnesses.”
Instructions and Requirements
Infant Baptisms
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Parent(s) must be registered members of Divine Mercy Catholic Church.
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Godparents must be practicing confirmed Catholics. If there are two Godparents, one must be male and one female.
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Parents are required to complete the parish baptism class. Godparents are also asked to complete the class if possible. Pre-registration for the class is required. The class must be retaken every five years. Baptism Class usually occurs on the 2nd Saturdays from 9:30 - 10:30 AM. The July 2019 class is on the third Saturday. Please see the options in the form link below.
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If you have taken care of Steps one and two then you are are ready to schedule the Baptism. Baptisms are not scheduled during lent without Pastor’s permission.
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If you are not married, the Baptism can be scheduled at a group Baptism or after a Mass, depending on the schedule of the day.
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Please note that a copy of the infant’s birth certificate must be provided to the parish office prior to confirmation of the baptism date.
The day of the Baptism:
The Day of Baptism, come to the Church 20 minutes early to get settled and pray. Baptism is a Holy Sacrament that we can appreciate fully through prayer.
What to wear? Children or infants are to be dressed in white. Parents and Godparents can wear semi-formal clothes to signify the dignity of the Sacrament.
