INFANT BAPTISM     

Baptisms are celebrated after the 11:30 AM Mass ABOUT every six weeks, but never during Lent. They may also take place during Mass, if both parents are Catholic and are able to receive Holy Communion. Parents requesting baptism for a child must be registered Parishioners and must attend the Pre-Baptism Preparation class before a date can be set. Sponsors [Godparents] are strongly encouraged to attend this session, which is held the second Tuesday of every month from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm. Please call the Parish Office in advance to sign up for this mandatory class. Upon registration, you will receive a Parish Baptism Preparation Booklet which should be read before attending the class or choosing godparents.

According to Canon [Church] Law a Sponsor [Godparent] must:

1.   be a Baptized and Confirmed Roman Catholic who attends weekly Mass and regularly receives Eucharist [The Church, like most groups or organizations, only permit full-fledged. active members to sponsor new members]

2.   be at least l4 years old [exceptions are possible if already Confirmed]

3.   lead a good, moral life one that is consistent with Church teaching, and be a Christian role model

4.   not be one of the parents

5.   if married, the marriage rite must have been performed according to the rites and regulations of the Catholic Church

6.   be a registered member of their own parish from which they must obtain a Sponsor Certificate even if their current parish is Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church

Only one sponsor is necessary for Baptism; by ancient custom two are usually chosen: a godfather and godmother. Hence, if two are chosen, Canon Law requires one to be a female and the other male. In some cultures, numerous godparents are chosen; in this case, the Church may only record one godfather [male] and one godmother [female] sponsor.

Since only one sponsor is needed, a non-Catholic Christian may be chosen AS LONG AS ONE SPONSOR IS CATHOLIC. This `Christian Witness` must be a baptized member of a Christian faith community who fulfills all other sponsor requirements above: #2, #3, #4 & #6. A Catholic can never serve as a Christian witness.

Since godparents join parents in renewing their Baptismal Promises at the Rite of Baptism, the non-baptized cannot be a sponsor. While members of other faiths are warmly welcomed to attend our rites, they cannot partake in Eucharist or serve as godparents, as they cannot renew the Baptismal Promises they never made.

We welcome the newly baptized

February 2009

Eric Michael Batori
Peri Lynn Furino 

Congratulations!