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1.Who may be baptized?
Any child may be baptized as long as there is a solid hope that the child will be raised in the Catholic Faith. To be raised in the Catholic Faith carries the expectation that the child will have the opportunity to receive the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation at the appropriate times in the future. Parents are the first teachers of their child, and it is vital to the child's faith formation that they see your witness to a faith-filled life.
2. How old should my child be for Baptism?
Under ordinary circumstances parents should seek Baptism within the first few weeks of the life of the child. (Canon 876). These preparation sessions are for children up to the age of seven. If your child is older than age seven, please contact Sr. Annuncia in the Faith Formation program: (818)949-4323; or [email protected].
3. Do I have to attend a Baptism preparation class prior to baptizing my child?
Yes. It is your responsibility as the child’s parents to be the role models for your child on this journey of faith. This is why we have a special program to prepare the parents and godparents for the child's Baptism by reflecting on the meaning of their faith and seeing the beauty of the Sacrament of Baptism and its signs and symbols.
Both the parents and the godparents of the child are to complete Baptism preparation classes before the child can be baptized. If you have attended a Catholic baptismal preparation class within the last three years, you do not need to attend the class again. Please provide us a certificate/letter of attendance. The Baptism preparation class requirements are held either on Zoom or in person. Please see the schedule below. If godparents belong to another parish, they should immediately make plans to attend baptismal class in their respective parish before the date of the Baptism, and bring a certificate of completion to St. Bede Parish before the Baptism Day.
4. Do we have to register for the Baptism Preparation Class or do we just show up?
Yes. This can be scheduled at the time of your pre-Baptism interview.
5. Are there requirements for the parents who want to have their child baptized?
Yes. At least one of the parents are to be a practicing Catholic committed to raising their child in the faith of the Church.
6. What is a "practicing Catholic”?
To be a practicing Catholic you must hold true all that the Catholic Church teaches and proclaims. Additionally, you actively participate in the sacramental life of the Church.
7. What are the requirements for being a godparent?
The role of the godparent is to assist the parents in witnessing of the Catholic Faith and to support the child in learning and living that faith. They must be at least 16 years of age and a practicing Catholic who is baptized, confirmed, and has received First Holy Communion. They should be faithfully attending Mass each Sunday, and be willing to share the faith with their god-child. If godparents are married, they must be married within the Catholic Church. Godparents may not be a parent of the child to be baptized. Proxies, while allowed, are discouraged.
8. How many godparents must I have?
Godparents, while preferred, are not necessary to receive the Sacrament of Baptism. It is customary to have two godparents: one female godparent and one male godparent. You may choose only one godparent (as long as they meet the requirements to be a godparent). No more than two can be chosen. If you choose to have only one godparent, then a person who is a baptized Christian can serve as a “Christian Witness”. The godparents and Christian Witnesses must also attend the baptism preparation class at St. Bede’s or provide a certificate of completion of a similar class in another parish. The godparents do not need to take the baptism preparation class if they have taken such a class within the last 4 years.
9. Do both godparents have to be Catholic?
Yes. By the definition of a godparent, both godparents must be Catholic. If you choose to have only one godparent, then a person who is a baptized Christian can serve as a “Christian Witness”. Members of other world religions under normal circumstances may not serve as godparents or as Christian witnesses.
