Infant Baptism

Newborn - Age 6

To begin the process for an infant Baptism at Holy Name of Mary you must first meet with a Deacon. Please complete the Baptism Inquiry Form to begin the Baptism process for your child. 

Baptism Inquiry Form:

Age 7-17

Children who are not baptized and are 7 years of age or older enter a process for their own faith journey. OCIA adapted for children is a part of the process of the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. They attend classes on Sunday mornings to grow in knowledge of their faith and develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.  

During their two year journey, the children participate in several Rites. At the Easter Vigil, these children will be Baptized, Confirmed and receive Holy Communion along with other adults seeking full initiation into the Church.

Adults

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is the journey of those inquiring into being received into the Catholic Church through the initiation process of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. This process provides an opportunity for adults to learn about the faith in a way that models the early church. If an individual wishes to explore the Catholic Church, or wishes to complete their initiation into the Church by receiving the sacraments of Eucharist and/or Confirmation, they are invited to journey in their faith along with the OCIA team. 

Godparents

Role of a Godparent

The Godparent serves three important functions:

  • The child being baptized is welcomed into the Church community. The godparent represents the Church community, the family of God.

  •  The Godparent is to be a model of the committed Catholic Christian. Thus, the role of godparent is not a one day, ceremonial role during the rite of Baptism. Throughout the child’s life, the Godparent should offer an enriching spiritual relationship – guiding, advising, and nurturing the child in his/her faith development.

  • The Godparent acts as a loving support to the parents/guardians who are the primary religious educators of their child.

Godparent Requirements

There may be one or two Godparents. 

One Godparent must be a baptized Roman Catholic who…

  • Has received the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation (A fully initiated Catholic)

  • Has completed their sixteenth (16th) year

  • Is registered in a Catholic parish*

  • Is actively practicing their Catholic faith – weekly Mass attendance and reception of the sacraments

  • Is living an upright life 

  • Has not formally left the Catholic Church and joined another faith community

  • Is not the child’s parent/guardian.

* Godparent(s) who are not registered at Holy Name of Mary Church will need to provide a completed Sponsor Form from the parish where they are a registered parishioner. The Sponsor Form must be received by Holy Name of Mary Church prior to scheduling a date for baptism.

Christian Witness

If your circumstances are such that you only have one Catholic Godparent available, a Christian witness may be named.

A Christian witness must… 

  •    be a baptized Christian

  •    be active in their church community

  •    not the child’s parent/guardian

 This individual will be noted as a Christian Witness on the certificate and Baptism Register.

 FAQs

  • Church law requires that you have one godparent; however, it has been tradition to have two.

  • Yes, as long as they take seriously their responsibility and intention to help the children grow in faith.

  • If you choose only one godparent, you are free to choose a male or a female. However, if you wish to have two godparents, there must be one male and one female.

  • A baptized, non-Catholic may serve as a “Christian witness” to the baptism, only if there is a proper Catholic sponsor who fully meets all requirements of a godparent. The non-Catholic who is selected as a witness should be an active and participating member of his/her church community. During the baptism, a non-Catholic witness may perform all the parts of the ceremony  that a godparent does. His of her name will be entered into the Sacrament Record Book as a “Christian witness”, together with the name of the godparent.

  • Witness is the term mentioned in the Code of Canon Law. Canon Law
    describes a witness as “A baptized person who belongs to a non-catholic church community.” A godparent is a baptized Catholic who has been confirmed and is in good standing with the Church.

  • If a godparent cannot attend the baptism ceremony, a proxy can stand in the place of the missing godparent. The name of that person will be entered as “proxy” in the Sacramental Record Book. Along with the name of the missing godparent.