Baptism

BAPTISM is done by appointment.
Parents must call the rectory to register and for the arrangement of the pre-Baptism seminar.

GUIDELINES FOR
THE CELEBRATIONS OF BAPTISMS

FOR CHILDREN BELOW 6 YEARS OLD

The parish would like to congratulate you for your baby and your decision to have the baby baptized into the Catholic faith. We sincerely hope that the baptism will be a solemn and joyous beginning of a happy and holy Christian life. We offer the following information and guidance to assist you for the successful preparation and celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism.

1. PRE-BAPTISM INTERVIEW

The Church requires that the parents and godparents have the knowledge of their responsibility towards the faith formation of the child to be baptized. For this, they need to contact the in-charge of baptisms in the parish. For English: Fr. Mintu Rozario, and for Spanish: Deacon Juan Zhagñay.

1. NECESSARY DOCUMENTS THAT THE PARENTS HAVE TO SUBMIT

• Certificate of Birth.
• If applicable, Legal Adoption Papers.

III. BAPTISM PREPARATION PROGRAM

Our parish requires the parents and the godparents to attend the Pre-Baptism Seminar. The whole seminar is about 1 hour. The regular schedule pre-baptism seminar in our parish is the following:

• English instruction: 10am every first Sunday of the month
• Spanish instruction: 12pm every second Sunday of the month.

If there are inconvenience relative to the scheduled seminar offered in the parish, the parents and godparents can attend the program in other parishes provided that they can present a certificate of completion of the said seminar.

1. OFFERING FOR BAPTISM

The suggested offering to the Church is $50.00 per child and must be put in a marked envelope.

1. REGULAR SCHEDULE FOR BAPTISM

• For English Baptism: 2^nd Saturdays at 1pm
• For Spanish Baptism: 3^rd Saturdays at 1pm

Baptism outside of the regular schedule is considered special and has to be approved by the one administering the baptism.

1. GODPARENTS

The requirement provided in the Code of Canon Law are the following:

1. The child to be baptized is to be given a sponsor (godfather and godmother)
2. There is to be only one male sponsor, or one female sponsor, or one of each.
3. The sponsor must be:

• sixteenth years old
• a Catholic, who has completed the sacrament of initiation (baptism, confirmation, Eucharist) and practices Catholic morality
• not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
• not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.

VII. PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS

We have a common interest in ensuring that the baptism would be unforgettable. Please advise your photographers or videographers that it is mandatory to respect the time and the sacredness of the place of baptism.

• They cannot enter the sanctuary during the entire ceremony.
• They should be discreet in their movements to take photos.
• They should be dressed with dignity befitting the solemnity of the occasion.