St. Rose of Lima Baptism Guidelines and Policies

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1 St. Rose of Lima Baptism Guidelines and Policies The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that baptism is a Sacrament of faith. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned (Mk. 16:16) But faith needs the community of believers. Only within the faith of the Church can the faithful believe. The faith required for baptism is not a perfect and mature faith; it is a beginning faith, a faith as a mustard seed that develops. Baptism is the first sacrament of the Church and the first sacrament of Initiation. Parents are the primary teachers of their children, and by example of their love, faith and values, children, too grow in faith and grow in the virtues. St. Rose of Lima has a baptism preparation class to help parents and godparents understand their roles in the development of the faith of their children. If you are seeking baptism for your newborn infant or a child, we are happy to provide you with this packet of information to help you understand the sacrament. We welcome all new members to the Church and our own parish community, including the littlest ones. What are the requirements for baptism? For a child to be baptized in the Catholic Church, there must be a founded hope that the child will be raised in the Catholic faith. At least one parent must be Catholic, Parents of the child must live within Saint Rose of Lima boundaries, or be registered in the Parish and attending (envelope usage) for at least 6 months prior to the date of the Baptism. Parents and godparents are also required to participate in a two hour baptism preparation class offered in our parish, or bring certification of classes attended at another parish. Required paperwork Because Baptismal Certificates are viewed as legal documents, we require certain records to ensure the proper registration of the sacrament of baptism. Please provide the following paperwork to the Parish Office by the posted schedule for date of Baptisms. Completed form Information for Baptismal Register. A copy of your child s birth certificate issued by the state which he or she was born Godparent/Sponsor Form signed by their parish priest for each sponsor. Proof of Confirmation for each sponsor, and if married, a copy of their Catholic Church marriage. What about single parents or parents who weren t married in the church? We welcome all parents who are seeking baptism for their children. If you have concerns about your marital status or having your child baptized, we will be happy to have you speak with one of our priests or deacons to clarify any questions you may have. Can we have the baptism celebrated in another church but do the preparation here? Yes, however the guidelines of the church where the actual baptism is taking place take precedence. Please contact the parish where the baptism is to take place and inquire about their preparation process prior to coming to register at St. Rose of Lima. We would need to know the name of the parish, the parish point of contact, the parish mailing address and phone and fax numbers. We will also need to know the baby s given name, gender, date of birth and the date the baptism is scheduled. Any requests for permission to baptize should be submitted to our office prior to coming in to register for classes. At what age are children usually baptized? The Church instructs parents to see to it that their children are baptized within the first weeks after birth (Canon 867), but the time is usually dictated by when you receive the child s state birth certificate. If you have a child three years of age or older who is not baptized and whom you are seeking to have baptized, you will need to contact our Religious Education Program and they will answer any questions you may have and explain the process of having your child or teen initiated into the Church. What are the requirements for godparents? Before all others, parents are bound to form their children, by word and example, in faith and in Christian living. The same obligation binds godparents and those who take the place of parents (Canon 774). It is very important and we trust that you will choose godparents who will take an active role in the faith formation of your child.

2 The church requires at least one godparent who is a practicing, confirmed Catholic, and age 16 or older. The godparent s name is entered into the parish record book as the official godparent for baptism. No more than two godparents may be chosen to appear on the Baptismal Certificate. People who are not baptized Christians cannot be godparents for baptism, since they themselves are not baptized. However, you may certainly invite non-christian friends or relatives to attend the celebration and to have a special place in your child s life, sharing with your child their own faith traditions. What happens during the preparation session? The session is designed to help you reflect spiritually on being new parents and how this great change will affect your own relationship with God. We also reflect together on the faith you desire for your child. The theology of the sacrament of baptism will be discussed, as well as practical aspects of the ceremony itself. It is also a great way to meet other parents in the parish and to answer any questions you may have. Is there a fee? Yes, we request a $25 donation (cash only) which helps to fund the baptism preparation program, the paperwork, and the supplies required for the baptism of your child. This donation should be made at the time of registration. When will you receive the baptism certificate? About a week after the baptism we will send you one certificate with your child s name and parents names as recorded on the child s birth certificate. As this is a legal document, we are required to include the mother s maiden name as recorded on the birth certificate; this also is called for by church regulations. The parish of baptism is considered to be the Church of Record Keeping; therefore, notification of the sacraments of first communion, confirmation, marriage and holy orders, celebrated at other parishes, should be sent to the Church of Record by the church performing the sacraments. Enclosed in this packet of information is the following: Information Form for Baptismal Registration Two Godparent/Sponsor Forms, one for each person you have asked to be a Godparent to your child. If Godparents are not members of St. Rose of Lima, they need to take the form to their home parish to be completed. These forms are also available as a pdf document on our parish website: for the convenience of those who may live out of the local area. Schedule of baptism preparation classes and dates of baptisms for the year, as well as the closing date of registration for the month. Please be sure to complete all forms and bring all documentation with you at the time of registration, as we will not accept incomplete packets. We also do not accept checks or credit cards for registration, so please be sure to bring cash.

3 1. Registration is accomplished in the Parish Office during regular office hours. After paperwork has been submitted, depending on the circumstances, you will be given a date of baptismal class and baptism, or be referred to a Deacon for any special circumstances. 2. First and foremost, the baptism should take place in the parish of the parents. Parents of the child must live within Saint Rose of Lima boundaries, or be registered in the Parish for the last 6 months. If not, they should go to the parish they live in to baptize. The parents, not the grandparents or Godparents, should be the ones to make baptismal arrangements. 3. Must present OFFICIAL state birth certificate, NOT certificate from the hospital. 4. A nonrefundable $25 cash donation per child is required at the time of registration. We do not accept checks or credit cards. 5. Need official names of Godparents with CORRECT spelling at time of registration. Cost to correct certificate is $5 each. a. Godparent requirements: 1. Must be a practicing Catholic (go to church regularly). Godparents must fill out a Godparent or Sponsor Form provided by us. If from a different parish, they must have their pastor sign the form. Maximum number of Godparents cannot exceed two (2) unless extraordinary circumstances warrant. Pastor will determine importance of circumstance. 2. Must be at least 16 years of age. If married, must be married in the Catholic Church and provide a copy of church marriage certificate. 3. Must have completed all sacraments up to and including Confirmation. Godparents must present proof of Confirmation. This may be either a Baptismal Certificate with the confirmation date on the back, a Confirmation Certificate, or a letter from the parish where they were confirmed. 4. Can be from different families, i.e., brother, sister, aunt/uncle, friend or married couple, but CANNOT BE CHILD S PARENT(S). 5. Parent(s) AND Godparent(s) must attend Baptism Class before the baptism date. This can be accomplished at SRL or at another Catholic Church as long as the pastor/church official from that parish provides a letter stating parents/godparents have been prepared to become Godparents. 6. SPECIAL BAPTISMS will be considered by the pastor ONLY AFTER a written request and a cash payment in the amount of $50 is submitted to the pastor at least a month in advance of the desired baptism date. Letter will outline the reasons and circumstances for the request. Special baptism are NOT automatic, so do not make baptism plans prior to approval. 7. Mandatory baptism classes are usually held on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 7-9 pm and baptisms are usually the 2nd Saturday of the month at 10:00 am. Exceptions to the schedule do occur, so inquire 30 days prior to verify correct dates for classes and baptisms. Generally, in March, July and October we hold our classes and baptisms in Spanish. Experience has shown that more than 5 Baptism per ceremony creates confusion and reduces the reverence of the sacrament so please register early or you may be asked to schedule for the following month. 8. Class is often delayed waiting for latecomers. Please be courteous enough to call between the hours of 9 am - 5 pm Monday thru Friday if you have to miss your scheduled class date. (Updated 5/5/15)

4 REQUISITOS PARA BAUTIZOS EN SANTA ROSA DE LIMA 1. Deban ser registrados como miembros de la parroquia. Esta se hace con la Secretía durante las horas normales de oficina. Después de entregar la documentación dependiendo de las circumstancias, se le dará una fecha para la clase pre-bautismal y para el bautizo, o se le dará una cita con el Diácono un Domingo por la mañana para una entrevista personal. 2. Es muy importante que el bautismo tome lugar en la parroquia de los padres. Los padres del niño deben de vivir dentro de los limites de la parroquia de Santa Rosa de Lima o haber sido registrados por los menos con (6) seis meses de anterioridad. Si no, se recomienda que bauticen el niño(a) en la parroquia de su zona. Los padres o guardians, NO LOS ABUELLOS O PADRINOS deban estar encargados de todos los arrgelos del bautismo. 3. Deben presenter el certificado official del estado de Nacimiento. No se acepta el certificado del hospital. 4. Para la registración se require una donación acostumbrada (no reembosable) de $25 dólares en efectivo por cada niño(a). Nosotros ya no aceptamos cheques. 5. Se necesita los nombres oficiales de los pedranos con una correcta ortografía, al momento de la registratión. El costo por corrección de certificado es de $5 dólares cado uno. a. Requisitos para los padrinos 1. Los padrinos deben ser catolicos praticantes, es decir, ir a la iglesia regularmente. Si los padrinos pertenecen a una parroquia diferente, deben rellenar un formulario "Certificado para servir como Padrino o Patrocinador" y ser firmado por su parraco. Este formulario sera proporcionado por nosotros. Los padrinos no deben ser mas de dos (2) a menos que sea por circumstancias extraordinarias, en cual caso el parraco determinara el grado de importancia. 2. Deben ser mayor de 16 años de edad. Si casado, deber ser casado por la iglesia católica y proveer certificado de matrimonio de la iglesia. 3. Deben haber completado todos los Sacramentos incluyendo la confirmación. Deben mostrar la prueba de confirmación que se encuentra en la parte de atrás del certificado de bautismo, un certificado de confirmacion, o una carta de la parroquia donde fué confirmado. 4. Pueden ser de diferentes familias, hermanos, hermanas, tios, tias, amigos, o parejas casadas por la iglesia. Pero NO PUEDEN SER LOS PADRES DEL NINO(A). 5. Padres y padrinos deben asistir a las clases pre-bautismales que se daran en Santa Rosa de lima on en otra Iglesia Catolica en la cual el pastor o la Iglesia expedira una carta en la que consta que lospadrinos han sido preparados para ser padrinos. 6. Los Bautizos especiales deben tener el consentimiento del sacerdote por lo tanto usted debe hacerle una carta especificandole la fecha que desea el bautismo y el potivo por la cual usted require privacidad. Adjuntando ademas un cheque de $50 que se le entregara por lo menos con un mes de anticipacion. Recuerde que los bautismos especiales no son automaticos. No haga planes antes de su aprobacion. 7. Las clases pre-bautismales son obligatorias y se llevan a cabo el segundo jueves de cada mes de 7:00 a 9:00 de la noche. Los bautismos se llevan a cabo el segundo Sabado de cada mes a las 10:00 AM. Puede haber excepciones, por lo tanto verifique con 30 dias de anticipacion las fechas de las clases pre-bautismales y del bautismo. Nuestra experiencia nos ha demonstrado que mas de 5 bautismos por ceremonia causan confusion y reducen la reverencia del Sacramento. Por lo tanto, registrese temprano o se le puede pedir que espere hasta el proximo mes. Los bautismos en espanol se celebran tres (3) veces por ano, Marzo, Julio y Octubre. 8. Las clases pre-bautismales se retrazan debido a los que llegan tarde. Por favor sea considerado y si cree que no puede asistir o que no llegara a tiempo llame al número de Lunes a Viernes de 9 AM - 5 PM (Updated 5/5/15)

5 St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church 9883 Marbach Rd. San Antonio, TX (210) Godparent or Sponsor Form NAME OF BAPTISMAL/CONFIRMATION CANDIDATE FIRST LAST SPONSOR S NAME FIRST MIDDLE LAST SPONSOR S ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE SPONSOR S PHONE # I am a practicing Catholic in both word and deed: Yes I am a fully initiated Catholic (I have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation): Yes I am: Single Married Divorced Widowed Living with my Boyfriend/Girlfriend If married, were you married in the Catholic Church? Yes If you answered no to any of the above statements, you are ineligible to be a sponsor at this time. If you do not attend Mass on a regular basis (weekly), you are ineligible to be a sponsor at this time. Name of home parish: Street Address: City State Zip Code I am a registered parishioner: Yes If you are NOT a registered Parishioner at St. Rose of Lima - please have your pastor complete the information below. Pastors must ascertain the spiritual qualifications of sponsors. The sponsor for any candidate may be male or female and is to be sufficiently mature, a practicing Catholic, who has him/herself been confirmed and has not been prohibited by law from exercising the roles of sponsor. One of the Baptismal Sponsors is not only allowed, but is in fact desired as the Confirmation sponsor, so as to emphasize the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation. (Canon 893) This person is an active witness of the Catholic faith in both word and deed, and is able to perform the duties of a Baptismal/Confirmation Sponsor. Pastor s Signature Date:

6 St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church 9883 Marbach Rd. San Antonio, TX (210) Godparent or Sponsor Form NAME OF BAPTISMAL/CONFIRMATION CANDIDATE FIRST LAST SPONSOR S NAME FIRST MIDDLE LAST SPONSOR S ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE SPONSOR S PHONE # I am a practicing Catholic in both word and deed: Yes I am a fully initiated Catholic (I have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation): Yes I am: Single Married Divorced Widowed Living with my Boyfriend/Girlfriend If married, were you married in the Catholic Church? Yes If you answered no to any of the above statements, you are ineligible to be a sponsor at this time. If you do not attend Mass on a regular basis (weekly), you are ineligible to be a sponsor at this time. Name of home parish: Street Address: City State Zip Code I am a registered parishioner: Yes If you are NOT a registered Parishioner at St. Rose of Lima - please have your pastor complete the information below. Pastors must ascertain the spiritual qualifications of sponsors. The sponsor for any candidate may be male or female and is to be sufficiently mature, a practicing Catholic, who has him/herself been confirmed and has not been prohibited by law from exercising the roles of sponsor. One of the Baptismal Sponsors is not only allowed, but is in fact desired as the Confirmation sponsor, so as to emphasize the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation. (Canon 893) This person is an active witness of the Catholic faith in both word and deed, and is able to perform the duties of a Baptismal/Confirmation Sponsor. Pastor s Signature Date: