PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION BEFORE SUBMITTING A BAPTISM REQUEST.

CHILDREN UNDER 7:

All 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.  

If you are a parent desiring to arrange a baptism for their child, review the instructions and forms on the Baptism Forms page and complete the required forms. 

For general questions about baptism at St Francis de Sales, contact the Baptism Preparation Coordinator at [email protected].

If a paper copy of the baptism package is needed for a child under the age of 7, please visit the parish office.

CHILDREN 7 - 14:
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 [email protected].

Godparent / Christian Witness Information (Sponsors)
Only one godparent is required for baptism.  

If two godparents (sponsors) are chosen, one must be male and one must be female (Canon Law 873).

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.  

The role of Godparent is not an honorary title to 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.  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.

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.   

Parents requesting a Baptism Preparation Class must be registered member of St Francis de Sales parish.   

Baptism Preparations Classes are required for both parents and godparents.

"Walk-In" registration for Baptism Preparation will not be accepted.  
 
Baptism preparation class will be scheduled only after all other requirements have been completed.   

Once all required forms are completed, received, and verified by the Baptism Coordinator, parents and godparents will be emailed the registration information and links for the next Baptism Preparation Class.

Classes are offered one time per month and are in person. The date, time and location of the class will be provided during the baptism processing.   For Godparents remotely located, a zoom option may be offered during 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 may be submitted for review by the pastor or the baptism coordinator to fill this requirement. 

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 if the baptism will be at a different parish.

A request for baptism preparation 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.  

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 [email protected].