Baptism

You may be awaiting the birth of your child, have a newborn, or have a child who is several months old.  No matter the stage of parenting you are currently in, you have been entrusted with a great gift from God.  In your role as parent, you will serve as the first and most influential teacher of your child's faith (among other things). 

St. George seeks to help you in this role through weekly celebration of the Mass and offering the Sacrament of Baptism. Baptism is “the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments” [Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213].

Baptism by Infusion

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This involves the pouring of water three times over the infant's forehead by the priest or deacon while they recite the formula. The sacrament of baptism pardons all our sins, rescues us from the power of darkness, and brings us to the dignity of adopted children, a new creation through water and the Holy Spirit. Hence, we are all called and are indeed the children of God. 

Scheduling your child's Baptism:

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In order to schedule your child's baptism:

1. Baptismal Registration: fill out the form located on the sidebar.

2. Godparents: Select Godparents according to the guidelines of the Catholic Church (see below). Catholic Godparents will be required to submit a letter of eligibility.
3. Required Documents:  Submit ALL of the required documents (you will receive an email with instructions once you register).
4. Baptismal Seminar:  Parents and Godparents must register for the on-line Baptismal Seminar (waived for those who attended a seminar within the last five years). Link for seminar emailed to you once you register for Baptism.
5. Scheduling the Baptism:  Once we have all of the required documents and seminar registrations, we will be able to schedule your child's Baptism.

Group Baptism Dates

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Upcoming Group Baptism Schedule

4pm           9:30am        11:30am

 

2025
(No Baptisms are held during Lent.)

April 26-27 AFTER

May 17-18 DURING

June 7-8 AFTER

(Baptism weekends for July 2025-June 2026 will be posted on this page in late May after they have been determined. Thank you for your patience.)

Requirements to Register for Baptism:

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Parents who desire to have their children Baptized need to be aware of the following requirements:

• The parents must be registered members of St. George Parish.
• If outside of the parish, a special letter of permission from your home parish will be required.
• Baptism is a community celebration in our parish. Baptisms are celebrated once a month alternating each month to be held either during a para-liturgical celebration Mass or after Mass.
• No Baptisms are performed during Lent.
• Private Baptisms are allowed only under extreme circumstances and are celebrated only by Deacons.
• Parents with children ages 0 to 6 years old can have their child Baptized through the traditional baptismal service.
• Parents who have a child(ren) between the ages of seven to seventeen who are not Baptized are encouraged to learn more about the process of OCIA Adapted for Children.  Adults interested in Baptism should see the process of OCIA for Adults.

 

Godparent Eligibility

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Godparents play a vital role in the faith of a child. The godparent(s) represents the Catholic Church at Baptism and serves as a role model throughout the child’s life by living a fully Christian life. 

Godparent Eligibility Form:
Godparents must complete and return the Sponsor Eligibility Form (see sidebar), at least three weeks before the Baptism.  Without this form we will not be able to allow the desired person to serve in either of these roles.

A Catholic Godparent is:

1. A fully initiated Catholic who is in good standing with the church
2. Is over the age of 16. 
3. Not the parent of the baptized.
4.  Any Catholic godparent must be:
   1. Baptized Catholic, 
   2. Confirmed in the Catholic faith, 
   3. And if ever married, married in the Sacrament of Marriage in a Catholic Church or has had a convalidation. 
   4. *Once someone has been Baptized Catholic, they must adhere to all of these Catholic godparent eligibility requirements.
   5. Practicing Catholic (attends mass)

Number of Godparents:

• There are usually two godparents
• Only one Catholic Godparent is required.
• As per Canon Law, only one Catholic godparent can be male and one female.

Christian Witness:
If the second person has NEVER been a Baptized Catholic, they can serve as a Christian Witness.  They must have be:

1. At least 16 years old
2. Not the parent of the baptized.
3. Christened or Baptized in a mainstream Protestant denomination.
4. They cannot be a Baptized Catholic who is not practicing the Catholic faith. 
5. While this person is referred to as a Christian Witness, his/her role in the rite of Baptism is the same as the Catholic godparent.

Baptism Seminar

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The liturgy of Baptism invites you to think about the hopes and dreams you have for your child and the values you want to communicate to him or her in everyday life.  These hopes, dreams, and values are expressed in the choices you make as a parent, the traditions you foster in your family, and the habits and interests you cultivate in your child.  This rite, or set of ritual actions, celebrates the beginning of your child's life as a child of God and member of the Church.  It affirms your own commitment to the faith and your promise to be your child's first catechist, being the first to hand on the faith to him or her by your Christian example.  It also affirms the church's commitment to offer you and your child support in each of your roles. 

St. George offers a preparation process to all families planning a Baptism here in order to help you better understand the sacrament and rite of Baptism and your parent role in the faith life of your child.  The Baptismal Seminar is required for all parents and godparents, whom we strongly encourage complete.  

Parents and Godparents who have attended a class within the past five years are exempt.  Our Baptismal Seminars are on-line at this time and offered only for registered St. George parishioners or for those taking part in a Baptism held at St. George.

 Contact Jenny to request a Baptismal Seminar.