BAPTISM REGISTRATION

See below for important information about choosing godparents and preparing for the Sacrament of Baptism.

Baptisms are held on 1st and 3rd Sundays at 2:30pm in the main sanctuary of the church.

Thank you for your interest in celebrating your child's Baptism at St. Thomas Aquinas.

At this time, Baptisms at St. Thomas Aquinas are reserved for active registered parishioners. If you are registered at a different parish, encourage you to contact your home parish to begin the Baptism process there, as they will be able to guide you through their requirements and schedule.

Thank you for your understanding.

Registrations close one month before the date of baptism.  

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The Roles of Godparent And Christian Witness

Baptism Godparent Form

Godparents, also known as baptismal sponsors, assist the parents in a child's Catholic upbringing. In the liturgy of Baptism, Godparents promise to help the parents in their duty as Christian parents.  Godparents should not be chosen soley because of familial or social relationships. Parents should carefully choose Godparents who diligently practice their Catholic faith and are willing and able to assist in the Catholic formation of their child.
The Catholic Church also allows for a baptized active member of another Christian Church to stand as witness to the Baptism when only one Catholic Godparent is chosen. The Christian Witness plays an active and important role in supporting parents as they teach their child the Christian way of life.

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Godparent Qualifications

Because the role of Godparent is to serve as an example of sincerely living the Catholic faith, as a person capable of supporting parents in nurturing a lively faith in their child, the Church has established clear criteria for godparents:

• A Godparent must be a baptized Catholic who has received the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation, regularly attends Mass on Sunday, and lives the Faith so as to be a moral and spiritual example to their Godchild.
  • If married (to each other or others) godparents must be in a valid marriage recognized by the Catholic Church.
  • If single, a godparent may not be cohabitating with a partner (i.e., "living together" in a marital manner).
• A Godparent may not be under any form of canonical penalty.
• A Godparent must be at least 16 years of age.
• A parent may not be the godparent of the child being baptized.
• A baptized non-Catholic may serve as a Christian Witness along with a Catholic Godparent of the opposite sex.
  • A person who was baptized a Catholic but who has joined another denomination or faith may not be selected either as a Godparent or a Christian Witness.
  • A person married to a Catholic outside the Catholic Church also may not serve as a Christian witness.
  • Non-baptized persons may not serve as Godparents or Christian witnesses.
• Only one Godparent is required. If there are to be two (two Godparents or a Godparent and a Christian Witness), then one must be male and one must be female.
• Parents, Godparent(s), and/or the Christian Witness (if there is to be one) must have attended a baptismal preparation class within the past four years.

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If you have any questions about the above requirements please ask!
Contact Kim Campise