What We Believe About Baptism:

Baptism is the port of entry into a life of faith in Jesus Christ, which finds expression in being a member of His Mystical Body, the Church, concretely lived out in an active sacramental life of faith at a parish.

Baptism has its benefits and responsibilities. Through sacramental signs, Baptism brings the seeds of divine life into the very soul of the child, making the young one into a child of God and a vessel of the Holy Spirit. Baptism confers great dignity upon the child, illumining the young one with grace and spiritual light for the journey ahead. As such, the celebration of Baptism is a moment of great joy for the parents as they see the promises of Christ and the hope of eternity dawn on their child.

It is also a day of great joy for the Church as the words of Christ are fulfilled right before our eyes. The Risen Christ once said, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The ritual of Baptism makes reality this great commission of our Blessed Lord. It thus also becomes a day of great joy for our parish family as we see Christ acting among us, enabling our parish community to grow in number.

Ceremonies:

For the convenience and needs of our many families at Little Flower, we offer private Baptismal ceremonies, as well as group Baptismal ceremonies.

-Private Baptisms are celebrated on most Saturdays at 10:30am, 11:15am, and 12 Noon. Given the real costs of personnel, supplies, and the readied preparation of the church, an anticipated donation of $300 is requested.

– Group Baptisms are celebrated on most Sundays at 2pm. Addressing the aforementioned real costs to the church, an anticipated donation of $150 is requested for those participating in group Baptisms.

– The date of the Baptism cannot be reserved until all requirements have been met and all documents have been received. Please review the Parent and Godparent Requirements on the tabs above.

We look forward to celebrating with you this momentous day of grace in the life of your child.

A baptism date cannot be scheduled or reserved until all documentation mentioned below is on file with the parish office:

General Documentation:

• The Baptism Registration Form
• A copy of the child’s birth certificate

Parents:

• Pre-Baptismal Preparation Class Certificate
  • Certificate of attendance of the pre-baptismal class, to be taken at any Catholic parish.
  • Self-Guided Online Baptism preparation courses are not currently accepted.
  • In the very rare case that classes are not offered at your church, or at any neighboring parish by you, you can have a one-on-one meeting with a priest, deacon or chaplain.
• COTLF Parish Registration or Letter of Permission from Parish of Registration/Residence
  • If parents are not registered at COTLF, a permission letter will need to be requested from their parish of registration or parish of residence (boundary), allowing them to baptize outside of their home church.
• We do not need proof of sacraments for the parents.

Additional Considerations

• If the parents are both Catholic, no additional documentation is required.
• If either of the parents is not Catholic, they will need to sign an affidavit consenting to the baptism of the child in the Catholic Church.
• In the case of separated or divorced parents, please note that both parents will need to provide consent or the parent seeking baptism must provide legal documentation showing them as the sole decision-maker for the child.

Godparents (All documents required for each Godparent):

• Pre-Baptismal Preparation Class Certificate
  • Certificate of attendance of the pre-baptismal class, to be taken at any Catholic parish.
  • Self-Guided Online Baptism preparation courses are not currently accepted.
  • In the very rare case that classes are not offered at your church, or at any neighboring parish by you, you can have a one-on-one with a priest, deacon or chaplain.
• Letter of Good Standing
  • To be requested from the sponsor’s parish of registration. This letter informs us they are active, registered parishioners, live a life of faith, and partake in the catholic community.
• Proof of Confirmation (the certificate can be a copy of the original)
• If desired godparent is married, a copy of the certificate of Catholic marriage.

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 that will last throughout this life and beyond.

It is the very ancient custom of the Church that at the celebration of the sacrament of baptism or confirmation, a Godparent be present. The functions of the Godparent/Sponsor are:

• Together with the celebrant who baptizes or confirms, to represent the Church in receiving the person into the communion of the Church;
• To assist the person in Christian initiation.

In accord with Canon 874 of the Code of Canon Law, the Church can admit a person to the role of Godparent/Sponsor if,

• He or she is not less than sixteen years of age; and
• Has been confirmed and has already received the blessed Eucharist
• Lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken, and
• Is not either the father or the mother of the person

At least one of the Godparents/Sponsors must be an active, registered parishioner in good standing with a Catholic parish. Given the functions and role a Godparent/Sponsor exercises, a non-Catholic Christian cannot be admitted as a Godparent/Sponsor; however, he or she can serve as a witness of honor. A non-Christian cannot serve in this latter capacity, but is welcome to be present at the ceremony.

The Catholic seeking to be admitted as a Godparent/Sponsor must “live a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken.” Therefore, Godparents/Sponsors must:

• Sincerely believe and strive to put into practice the Word of God as taught by the Catholic Church;
• Regularly take part in the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.

Godparents/Sponsors from other parishes must bring Sponsor letters stating that they are active registered parishioners in good standing of that parish.

If two Godparents/Sponsors are to be selected, there is to be only one male and one female Godparent/Sponsor. Alternatively, you can have only one Godparent/Sponsor. if you so desire.

Those unable to be admitted as Godparents/Sponsors include:

• Catholics who are not actively affiliated with a worshiping community
• Catholics who are invalidly married, as for example, before a Justice of the Peace, or without proper dispensation, before a minister of a Protestant church or before a rabbi, or
• Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation and/or their First Holy Communion.

All classes are held from 9:00am – 9:45am in person and free of charge at the COTLF Parish Office Center. Through December 2024, there is no pre-registration needed.

Beginning in January 2025, classes will be capped at 35 participants. Please pre-register individually below: