For a baptism package for a child under 7, or for general questions about baptism at St Francis de Sales, contact the Baptism Preparation Coordinator at sfds_baptism@diocesetucson.org.

CHILDREN UNDER 7:

Baptism arrangements must be made by the parents of the child who is being baptized. Parents must be registered members of St. Francis de Sales Parish or must have written permission to have their child baptized at St. Francis de Sales Parish from the pastor of the parish in which they live and worship.  

It is important to understand that where your child is baptized will be the permanet home for all their sacramental records for the rest of their life.  Before requesting a baptism outside of the parish, please consider this fact and the long term effects and discuss it with either Fr Richard or the baptism coordinator.  

Baptisms are done on the second Saturday of the month, between 12:00 Noon and 2:00 pm.

Parents desiring to arrange a baptism for their child should review the instructions and forms on the Baptism Forms page and complete the required forms. 

The date requested for baptism will not be confirmed until all preparation and registration requirements are complete.  A date may be requested at the time the request form is completed. 

CHILDREN 7 - 18:

Children that have reached the age of reason (age 7) will be prepared for the Sacraments of Initiation through our Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) Program.  For more information, please contact the Religious Education director at sfds_elementaryRE@diocesetucson.org.

Baptism Preparations Classes are required for both parents and godparents.  Classes are available at St Francis de Sales on the last Sunday of the month at 1:00 pm.  Classes will be available on Zoom to accommodate out of state godparents or parents in addition to an in-person class at the parish center.  Please arrive 15 minutes early for the class.  Do not bring children to the class.  If either of the parents or Godparents has taken a Baptism Preparation Class in the 24 months prior to the date of baptism, a letter from the parish where the class was taken will be considered to fill this requirement. 

Parents requesting a Baptism Preparation Class must be registered member of St Francis de Sales parish. 
Godparents requesting the class must be Godparents of a child being baptized at St Francis de Sales or registered members of St Francis de Sales parish.

A request for baptims prepartion class when the baptism will be held in another parish requires a letter from the pastor of the parish where the baptism will be held granting permission for the class to be taken here.  

Once you have submitted the required Baptism Forms you will be contacted (by email or phone) with the details of the date and location of the next available Baptism Preparation Class.  

Godparent / Christian Witness InformationCho

The role of Godparent is not an honorary title that can be conferred on just anyone.  A Godparent needs to be an actively practicing Catholic.  Sadly, this task can be very difficult in today's world.  When considering who you will ask to be godparents, consider relatives, even grandparents, who have a blood relationship with the godchild and have kept the faith over the years. Good friends can also be appropriate, but sometimes friendships wane, leaving the godchild without an active godparent.  Godparents should be faithful individuals who are ready to accept the responsibility of being a part of a godchild's life, especially during the critical years of their faith formation.

By Canon Law, only one godparent is required for baptism.  If two godparents are chosen, one must be male and one must be female.   

Godparents:

• Must be at least 16 years of age
• Must be Baptized in the Catholic Church and have the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation.
• If married, the godparents must be validly married in the Catholic Church. 
• If not married (i.e., two single people), they must be living a life consistent with Church teachings. 
• Required to complete and submit a Godparent Verification Form.
• Required to provide a Letter of Good Standing from their parish of record (usually where they were baptized) verifying they have received the Sacrament of Baptism, the Sacrament of First Communion, and the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Without this, the baptism will not be scheduled. 

If only one godparent is chosen, a second person of the opposite sex and validly baptized in any Christian denomination may serve as a Christian Witness as long as they do not oppose the Catholic faith.  

Adults wishing to be baptized must go through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, R.C.I.A.. Please contact the RCIA Director at sfds_RCIA@diocesetucson.org.