Baptism
"Don't forget that the greatest inheritance you can give to your children is the faith. Try to see that it is not lost, nurture it and leave it as an inheritance." Pope Francis, January 10, 2016
- Only infants (under 18 months) can be baptized during one of the weekend Masses.
- Infants, toddlers and children up to 6 years old who are not yet in school can be baptized at one of the regularly scheduled baptism services.
- School age children (7 years old & over) need to be catechized in school or through our Faith Formation program before being baptized. Please contact the Director of Religious Education at the Parish Office.
- Adults seeking baptism should consider our RCIA program.
To Schedule A Baptism:
1. Take the Baptismal Preparation Class
St. Josaphat’s Baptismal Preparation class is usually held on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in the church and lasts for about 30-45 minutes. You will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the class, and this serves as proof that you have taken the class (other parishes may require this if you are to be a Godparent to a baby being baptized at that parish). Classes with less than 2 families participating are subject to cancellation and will be rescheduled.
Once you have taken Baptismal Preparation, please call the Parish Office to schedule your child's baptism.
2. Select Godparents
- Only one godparent is required.
- At least one godparent must be a baptized and confirmed practicing Catholic (the godparents are taking on the responsibility of helping to raise the child in the Catholic faith after all).
- If you have someone you want to be a godparent but the person is not Catholic, that person may be present as a Christian Witness if he or she is a baptized Christian. A non-baptized person cannot be a godparent for a Catholic baptism.
- There is to be only one male godparent or one female godparent, or one of each.
- If you want more godparents, you can have as many Honorary Godparents as you want – but we only have room to record one male and one female (we don’t make the record books, we just follow Church law). Christian witnesses are recorded in the same place as godparents, with the notation “Christian Witness”. Honorary Godparents are not recorded.
What is the Role of Godparents? (Click to expand)
To be chosen as a godparent is a special honor. You, above all others, have been entrusted with the responsibility to participate in this child's Christian life and education.
This privilege offers you the opportunity to develop a mutually enriching spiritual relationship - one that will last throughout this life and beyond.
There are many ways you can nurture this spiritual relationship and become a special friend to your godchild. Among them are:
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Celebrate the anniversary of this holy day of Baptism each year with a visit, a call or a card.
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As your godchild grows, listen to and share in the struggles and triumphs of living a Christian life, and keep yourself informed on Christian doctrine and values, to be able to answer questions as they arise.
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Encourage a consistent life of faith through special cards, letters or gifts which celebrate holy events...Christmas, Easter...and personal growth events...graduation, first job, engagement. (Gift suggestions: a bible, spiritual book, rosary, religious jewelry, gift certificate for religious goods / books, retreat opportunity.)
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Participate in, or send assurance of prayer, as your godchild receives other sacraments, particularly First Communion and Confirmation, which complete initiation into the Church community.
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Be supportive of your godchild's parents in their role as the primary religious educators of their child.
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And most importantly, become a model of Christian living for your godchild, through daily prayer, virtue and active participation in parish life and liturgy.
By living a Christian life in partnership with your godchild, both of you will experience the great joy of sharing a life of faith.
3. Determine which Baptism date is convenient for you
2023 Baptism Dates (click to expand)
1/15/23 Sun 8:00am Mass (infants <18mos)
1/22/23 Sun 11:15am Service
2/5/23 Sun 8:00am Mass (infants <18mos)
2/11/23 Sat 5:00pm Mass (infants <18mos)
2/19/23 Sun 11:15am Service
No Baptisms during Lent: Wed 2/22/23-4/6/23
4/16/23 Sun 11:15am Service
4/23/23 Sun 10:00am Mass (infants <18mos)
5/7/23 Sun 11:15am Service
5/14/23 Sun 11:15am Service - Mother’s Day
5/21/23 Sun 8:00am Mass (infants <18mos)
No Baptisms Sun 6/4: 10am 8th Grade Graduation Mass
6/11/23 Sun 11:15am Service
6/17/23 Sat 5:00pm Mass (infants <18mos)
6/25/23 Sun 11:15am Service
7/2/23 Sun 11:15am Service
7/9/23 Sun 8:00am Mass (infants <18mos)
7/16/23 Sun 11:15am Service
8/6/23 Sun 11:15am Service
8/13/23 Sun 10:00am Mass (infants <18mos)
8/20/23 Sun 11:15am Service
9/3/23 Sun 11:15am Service (Labor Day is Mon 9/4/23)
10/1/23 Sun 11:15am Service
10/8/23 Sun 11:15am Service
No Baptisms on 11/12/23 Sun 10a: Feast of St. Josaphat Mass/Service Awards
11/19/23 Sun 11:15am Service
12/10/23 Sun 11:15am Service
12/17/23 Sun 11:15am Service
2024 Baptism Dates (click to expand)
1/13/24 Sun 11:15am Service
2/4/24 Sun 11:15am Service
2/11/24 Sun 11:15am Service
No Baptisms during Lent: Wed 2/14/24-3/28/24 (Easter is 3/31/24)
4/7/24 Sun 11:15am Service
4/21/24 Sun 11:15am Service
4/28/24 Sun 11:15am Service
No Baptisms 5/5/24: May Crowning & 1st Grade Family Mass
5/11/24 Sun 11:15am Service
5/19/24 Sun 11:15am Service
No Baptisms Sun 6/2/24 (date tentative): 10am 8th Grade Graduation Mass
6/9/24 Sun 11:15am Service
6/16/24 Sun 11:15am Service - Father’s Day
7/7/24 Sun 11:15am Service
7/21/24 Sun 11:15am Service
8/4/24 Sun 11:15am Service
8/18/24 Sun 11:15am Service
9/1/24 Sun 11:15am Service (Labor Day is 9/2/24)
9/8/24 Sun 11:15am Service
No Baptisms during JosaFest (dates TBD, likely 9/14-15)
10/6/24 Sun 11:15am Service
10/20/24 Sun 11:15am Service
11/3/24 Sun 11:15am Service
11/24/24 Sun 11:15am Service
No Baptisms on 11/17/24 Sun 10a: Feast of St. Josaphat Mass/Service Awards
12/1/24 Sun 11:15am Service
12/15/24 Sun 11:15am Service
4. Call the parish office to schedule your child's baptism
Frequently Asked Questions (click each question to expand)
Can I schedule a private baptism for just our baby and our family?
All sacraments are meant for the entire community of believers. There is no such thing as a "private" sacrament. Sacraments are where Christians encounter God in and with and through one another. That is as true of baptism as it is of Eucharist. At times, due to circumstances, (e.g. someone sick in the hospital and alone when the anointing of the sick is celebrated, only one baby registered for a baptism, the desire for privacy in reconciliation, etc.) some sacraments may appear to be private, but even then, the hope is that the wider community is somehow participating in the celebration of grace.
The joy and happiness of a family in welcoming a new baby into their family is not limited to them, but is a cause for celebration for the parish family as well. Ideally, whenever we celebrate a sacrament, the entire community is present. However, since it is rare for all the parishioners to fit into the church at one time, not to mention the great diversity of individual's schedules, we schedule services that accommodate people's schedules, even though only part of the entire community can be present. Nevertheless, the hope is always that representatives of the broader community participate as a sign of solidarity with the individual or family.
How many other babies can I expect to be baptized with my child?
Your baby may be the only one baptized, or there may be up to 3 other families at a baptism service.
When should I have my child baptized?
As soon as possible, usually within the first 3- 6 months.
Can I schedule my baby’s baptism before he/she is born?
Yes! In fact, you are encouraged to!
What if I can’t make any of the scheduled dates?
If you have been a registered, active parishioner for at least 6 months, and for some special reason, you absolutely cannot make one of the regularly scheduled times, you may be granted permission (pending the presider's availability) to schedule a baptism at another Sunday mass -- but NOT on the same weekend as we already have baptisms scheduled during a mass.
What do we do on the day of the baptism?
Arrive about 10-15 minutes before the service or mass. Introduce yourself and your baby to the priest or deacon. Parents and Godparents should sit with the baby in one of the front rows of the church.
Is there a fee for having my child baptized?
Donations for having your child baptized are at your discretion. These contributions are considered a "Stole Fee" and are not tax deductible per IRS tax code:
A “Stole Fee” refers to money given to a cleric for the performance of sacramental functions ie: baptisms, weddings, funerals. The IRS does not classify these payments as tax-free “gifts” because the rendering of a service motivated the payment. It does not matter that the cleric requires no payment for the service, nor does it matter that some people give nothing under similar circumstances. Stole Fees are considered earnings subject to Federal Income Tax and Social Security Tax.
