Baptism

NOTE: Please read all information listed below before submitting a Baptism request. There are some guidelines noted that must be followed. 

Schedule a Baptism

About the Sacrament

Baptism is the gateway to all of the other Sacraments. Through Baptism, a person is made a member of the Body of Christ, incorporated into the Church and has all of his or her sins wiped away, including Original Sin inherited from Adam and Eve. The Sacrament also gives a multitude of other graces: the person becomes a dwelling place of God; a temple of the Holy Spirit and an adopted son or daughter of God the Father. Baptism is the beginning of a new life lived in God’s grace. We celebrate Baptism at the command of Jesus, who told the Apostles, “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 28:19-20)

Baptism at St. Brendan

  • Baptisms are held on most Sundays only at 12 PM.
  • Up to 6 children may be baptized per liturgy.
  • Baptism Prep Classes:
    • are offered the 1st  Sunday of most months from 12-1 PM.
    • class is for those new parents who have not attended a preparation class.
      Please see below for more information.

IMPORTANT: Families who are non-members and reside outside the parish boundaries can still be considered, especially if they have a strong family connection to the parish. They must first provide a letter from the Pastor of their local Catholic Church confirming that they have permission to come to St. Brendan to celebrate the baptism.

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The guidelines listed below must be followed:

Baptism Preparation Class

  • Baptism Preparation Class Sessions are to be attended by those parents who have NOT attended a preparation class in the past.  They are offered on the 1st  Sunday of most months from 12-1 PM.
  • The Baptism Preparation Class is 2 sessions with some materials to be completed at home.
  • Registration for the program is required. Contact the parish office by phone or email, or by using the Request for Baptism form. You must fulfill the program requirements before a baptism date is confirmed.
  • At least one parent must attend the 2 classes

God Parents

In all, godparents serve a special role in the life of the baptized person. Therefore, parents should choose a godparent not just because of a blood relationship or friendship; rather, a godparent should be a trustworthy witness of the Catholic faith who will help the godchild attain salvation.

  • If you are choosing two godparents, there must be one male and one female (you cannot have two godparents of the same gender)
  • If you are choosing to have only one godparent, you may have either gender, but that person must be Catholic.

When selecting a Catholic godparent, it is very important that you select individuals who meet the following requirements:

  • Must be at least 16 years of age
  • Baptized and Confirmed Catholic
  • Currently registered at his/her church, active, and attending Mass regularly
  • If the godparent is not a member of St Brendan, a letter of good standing from the Church he/she is registered is required and it is to be mailed directly to St Brendan from the church
  • If married, were married in the Catholic Church

Catholics in the following situations are not eligible to be godparents:
• Catholics who have remarried outside the Church without an annulment of their first marriage
• Catholics who have left the Catholic Church to worship in another Christian denomination.

Catholics and/or Christian Witnesses in the following situations are not eligible to be godparents:
•Catholics/Christian Witnesses who no longer attend mass and/or practice their faith

A Christian witness may replace one of the godparents, but he or she must be from a Christian community whose baptism we recognize. Therefore, we will ask you to provide the religious denomination of the non-Catholic godparent when completing the registration form. The Christian Witness must meet the same requirements as the Catholic Godparent who is at least 16 years old, baptized, and in good standing with their church. Please refer to our resources below for more information regarding non-Catholic baptisms that are approved by the Church.

The Pastor reserves the right to postpone the baptism if a family presents godparents who do not fulfill these criteria until such godparents are found.

After the baptism, a baptism certificate will be generated and mailed to the parents.

Online Baptism Form

To request a baptism, first read ALL of the information above & then fill out the form here: Baptism Request Form