for Infants and Children

Policy for the Sacrament of Baptism of

Infants and Children under Catechetical Age

          These policies pertain to the Celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism of Infants and Children who have not yet reached the age of discernment and therefore cannot have or profess personal faith (Rite of Baptism 1).

              Children who are six years old (or older) should enter the formation process associated with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (adapted for children of catechetical age).   Children in this process will celebrate all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion) at one liturgy after approximately two years of preparation.

PARENTS

Parents are encouraged to begin preparations for the Sacrament of Baptism early, even before the birth of the child.

              One parent should be a practicing Catholic and registered in the parish for at least three months prior to initiating the process for baptism.   If families have recently moved into the Fayetteville area, they may bring a letter from the Catholic parish where they have come from stating that they were active and registered there.

              Because of the vital role of the parents in the celebration of the Sacrament and the raising of the child, the parent, particularly the Catholic parent, should make the request to begin preparation.  Parents from other faith traditions should agree to raise the child according to the faith of the child’s baptism.  (Rite of Baptism 5.4)

PLACE

The child normally is baptized in the parish church where the parents live, worship and actively participate.  

              In the event that the parents are taking the child to another Catholic Church (for example, the parish where the extended family lives) a letter of permission from the pastor of Saint Patrick Church is to be requested only after arrangements have been made with the other pastor.

Saint Patrick parishioners are not to request the Sacrament of Baptism from pastors of the churches in the Fayetteville area.  Pastors of these parishes will refer the request back to Saint Patrick Church.

PREPARATION

A.          Two classes are required for baptism preparation. Baptism 101 or Orientation class is held once a month.   At least one parent should attend this first class before anything else is done.

B.           Baptism 102 or Baptismal Preparation is offered once each month and attendance by a parent is also required.  Godparents should attend a preparation session in their home parish.

SCHEDULING

A.          Baptisms are only celebrated at Mass on Sunday (or Saturday evening) and are scheduled for once a month. Up to five children will be baptized at a Mass.  The Sacrament of Baptism is not celebrated during Advent and Lent because of the preparation and penitential natures of these seasons. 

B.           There are no private baptisms in the parish, except for emergency situations.

C.          Dates for the Celebration of Baptism can only be set upon completion of the following:

• Registered at Saint Patrick Church for three months
• Attendance at Baptism 101/Orientation session
• Attendance at a Baptism 102/Baptism Preparation session
• Completion of the Sacramental Information Form
• Godparent Eligibility Letters have been received.

D.          The parish pre-determines the dates for the celebration; we ask that families plan according to these dates.  The predetermined dates will be distributed at the Orientation Session, but the date may only be set once all of section C above is completed.

E.           Exceptions to the scheduled baptism dates will rarely be made. Requests to accommodate the schedules or visitations of godparents, grandparents, etc will usually not be satisfied due to the large number of Baptisms in the parish. 

GODPARENTS

A.          There are usually two godparents, one male and one female, who are not the parents of the child.  Church law only requires one godparent.

B.           Godparents are Catholics who: 

              --           are 16 years old

              --           are fully initiated members of the Catholic Church, meaning they are                                        baptized, confirmed, and received their first communion.

              --           are active practicing Catholics, celebrating Eucharist (going to Mass) on

                            Sundays (and days of obligation) and are examples of Christian living.

              --           if married, are following the marriage laws of the Catholic Church, i.e. they

                           were married in the presence of a Catholic priest or deacon or received the 

                            necessary permissions from the church for marriages to take place.  If

                            uncertain, please ask for assistance.

C.          Christian Witnesses

             --           It is possible to have a person from another Christian tradition to serve as

                           a Christian Witness to the baptism.  This person serves in this capacity

                           only when a Catholic godparent has been appointed.

             --           Please note that a baptized Catholic cannot serve as a Christian Witness.

Effective June 24, 2009

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist