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Infant Baptism - under 7yrs old
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Information and Scheduling
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Baptisms are currently celebrated, in private, on Saturdays at 2:15 pm. Baptisms are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. All requirements need to be completed to guarantee the date. Forms, sign-up for Baptism Prep Class, and additional information are available below. Please visit our parish calendar (below) to look at available Saturdays. Turn in "Baptism and Agreement Form" as soon as possible to tentatively schedule Baptism.
At least one parent must be a baptized Catholic. The non-Catholic parent must be willing to allow his/her child to be baptized in the Catholic Church and provide his/her written consent.
Turn in completed and signed forms to the parish office. Forms can be picked up at the parish office during office hours or downloaded below. They can be dropped off during office hours or anytime by placing them in the drop box found outside the entrance to the offices.
Provide a copy of your child's Birth Certificate.
Parents and godparents are required to take the Baptism Prep Class (sign up below). If you have taken the class within two years, please provide a copy of the certificate/letter from the parish where you took it.
Godparents are required to provide a letter of good standing with the Catholic Church from the parish where they are registered, or a Baptism Sponsor/Godparent Certificate of Eligibility.
Members of other parishes: please follow the above and provide us with at letter from your Priest delegating the Sacrament to Fr. George; If your parish is outside Fort Worth Diocese, please provide us with a letter from your Bishop. -
FAQ and additional information regarding the Sacrament
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1. "Each child may have a godfather and godmother, the word 'godparents' is used in the rite to describe both." (Rite of Baptism for Children 6). Only one godparent is necessary. Only one male or one female sponsor or one of each sex is to be employed.
2. be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the one who takes their place or, in their absence, by the pastor or minister and is to have the qualifications and intentions of performing this role;
3. must be 16 years of age or older
4. believe all that the Catholic Church believes and teaches, be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken;
5. must be an actively practicing Catholic, participating at Mass on Sundays and Holy days, and receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist and Reconciliation
6. not to be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared. This means that Catholics publicly living in a non-sacramental marriage (not married in the Catholic Church or have not had their marriage blessed by a priest) and those that are cohabitating (living together without marriage) cannot serve as a sponsor
Being a sponsor/godparent is not just an honor given to a good friend or relative. To be a sponsor/godparent means having a true appreciation of the Catholic faith and a sense of responsibility towards the spiritual well-being of the person being baptized.
The godparent may not be the father or the mother of the one to be baptized. (CF. CIC, can 874)
A baptized and believing Christian from a separated church or community may act as a Christian witness at the request of the parents, but there must be a Catholic godparent. (Cf. CIC, can 874)
Any person may serve as a proxy if the godparent is unable to be physically present at the baptism. The Church requires no specific stipulations regarding who may serve as a proxy.
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- Formation is a fundamental element of Christian Initiation. It must be connected with the sacrament of Baptism, "the sacrament of faith." (Cf. GDC 66) Sacramental preparation for the sacrament of Baptism for parents is a prerequisite for the baptism of an infant. (Cf. CIC, can 867) Pastoral discretion is required concerning the frequency of such preparation.
- It is the resposibility of the parents to request baptism as soon as possible after the birth or before the birth of their child. They should go to their pastor or his delegate to request the sacrament for their child. (Cf. CIC, can. 867)
- In an intact marriage, at least one parent/legal guardian should be a baptized Catholic. The non-Catholic parent must be willing to allow his/her child to be baptized in the Catholic Church. The sacrament should not be celebrated if the non-Catholic parent expresses strong opposition because the event of the sacrament should not divide the family. In cases where there is oposition, pastoral counseling should present options for future celebration of the sacrament when conditions are more favorable.
- In case of divorce, the custodial parent may seek baptism. Civil law defines "custodial parent" as the one who at that moment has physical custody.
- Accoding to the precepts of Canon Law (CIC 875 2), parents requesting Baptism of their child should ordinarily be members of the parish. With special permission of their pastor they may request Baptism in another parish.
- Although people of some cultures sometimes choose multiple godparents, only two names can actually be entered in the Baptismal Register. (CIC, can 873)
Godparents should be invited and encouraged to attend Baptismal Preparation in order to better understand their role as godparents. If they are from another parish, a letter of recommendation from their pastor is required.
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If you have additional questions, or need to reschedule?
Contact:
Elsa Vasquez at 940-387-6223 or evasquez@stmarkdenton.org
Office hours are:
Moday through Thursday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Friday 8:30 am through 12:30 pm
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