• Prior to the baptism of a child according to ‘The Code of Canon Law 851’, “the parents of an infant who is to be baptized and likewise those who are to undertake the office of sponsor are to be properly instructed in the meaning of this sacrament and the obligations which are attached to it; personally or through others the pastor is to see to it that the parents are properly formed by pastoral directions and by common prayer, gather several families together and where possible visiting them.”
• The request for baptism must come from the parent or legal guardian. There are circumstances where a grandparent may request baptism with the child’s parents’ consent. The grandparent must live near the child and must be willing to take on the responsibility of the child’s spiritual development in the Catholic Faith.
• The parents/guardians must accept the responsibility for teaching their child in the Catholic Faith through word and action.
• Baptism should not be seen as merely a naming ceremony. It is the child’s entrance into the Church, the Body of Christ, and so much more.
• Baptisms are regularly held each Sunday after the 9:00 AM Mass, except during Holy Week. Other times may be arranged to accommodate special needs.
• Canon Law requires parents and godparents to have pre-baptismal preparation therefore both parents and godparents must attend Baptismal classes.
• Children seven years old and older are no longer considered infants because they have reached the age of reason and therefore require preparation for all three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. The preparation normally begins in September and culminates at the Easter Vigil.
• Please contact the Parish Office to schedule an initial meeting before enrolling in Baptismal classes.

Currently, St. Joan of Arc offers this instruction once every other month. The class is typically offered on the second Saturday of odd months. Both parents and both God-parents are required to attend class. If the godparents live out of state or are unable to attend the class offered at St. Joan of Arc, documentation will be required from their parish stating they have attended a similar instruction. The baptism can not be scheduled until the parents and sponsors/God-parents have received proper instruction and all supporting documentation has been received in the parish office. If you have attended a baptism preparation class within the last two years and can provide a certificate stating so, the class will not be required.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for the class.  If no one has pre-registered for the class, there is the potential that the class would be canceled. Parents are encouraged to attend the class before or soon after the birth of the child.  This class is available to anyone who may need to attend a preparation class as a sponsor for another church and a certificate will be given to you at the conclusion of the series.  The classes will meet from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM in Orleans Hall. Please contact the Parish Office to register for the classes.

• Must be 16 years or older.
• Not be the parent of the person receiving the sacrament.
• Godparents should be a man and a woman or an individual man or individual woman, no same-sex godparents. Godparents need not be married, but if one or both are married, they must be in a valid Catholic marriage. If unmarried they should not be “living in sin” outside the sacrament of marriage.
• Be a practicing Catholic who attends Mass on a regular basis (Every Saturday or Sunday including days of obligation). Receive the Holy Eucharist regularly and frequently, making use of the Sacrament of Confession.
• Be an active member of a Catholic church. (For example.).
  • Be registered at St. Joan of Arc or at another church for 6 months or longer or a letter from their parish stating that they are registered
  • Or use the offertory envelope issued by the church
  • Or participate in volunteer work at a church – for example in the choir, teaching catechism, usher etc.
• Must be in good standing with the church
  • Received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion (Must provide a certificate of Confirmation.)
  • If married, it must be in the Catholic Church – Individuals who are civilly married or living as a common law couple CANNOT be sponsors. (Must provide a certificate of marriage issued by a Catholic Church.)
  • If single, cannot be co-habitating with another individual as a couple.
• The role of Christian Witness allows baptized, practicing, non-Catholic Christians to take part in the Catholic baptismal ceremony. This is to recognize both sides of the family in a mixed-religion marriage and to allow them to participate in the ceremony.
• In the case of a Christian Witness, there must also be a Catholic godparent.
• Baptized Catholics are not eligible to be Christian witnesses.

• Only one godparent is required and must be a fully active member, in good standing, of the Catholic Church. If two godparents, one must be male and one must be female.
• The second person may be a baptized (non-Catholic) Christian and can then be a Christian Witness along with the Catholic Godparent.
• Parents or godparents who have participated in classes in the last two years in another Parish do not need to take the class again. We do ask that you bring proof with the date of the class and the name of the parish where the class was taken.
• Each child will receive a baptismal candle, but you can bring your own if you choose.
• We encourage you to take pictures during the baptism – it is important that you keep a memory of this special day.