Congratulations on the birth of your new baby!

A Baptism at Ss. Francis and John can be scheduled during a Mass or at a separate time if you wish. Catholic parents should be registered members of the parish and in full communion with the church. Participation in the Baptism Preparatory Classes is required.  Check the Calendar, or the Bulletin for upcoming classes, in English or Spanish.  To schedule a Baptism please contact:

(English) Contact Parish Office at parishoffice@ssfrancisjohn.org or call 502-863-3404
(Spanish) Lissette Nieto / Isidro Rocha at 801-706-3025 / 859-552-8784

Preparing for Your Child’s Baptism

It has been the constant practice of the Roman Catholic Church from the earliest times to administer the sacrament of Baptism to infants. Parents very naturally want to pass along their own faith to their child and their values that flow from that faith. Baptism marks the beginning of this faith life.

Pope John Paul II called the family the Domestic Church, the Christian home where the child begins to experience life as part of a collection of families called the Church. At Baptism, the parents and godparents along with the whole Christian Community take upon themselves the responsibility to make the Church and the world a place that will offer the newly baptized the love and support to grow to full Christian adulthood.

Below are the requirements for Baptism in our Parish:

1. Register in the Parish: Parents of the child to be baptized must be registered members of Saints Francis and John Catholic Community. If you are not already registered you, you may do so by completing a registration form available on our website by clicking here or registration forms can be found in the back of the church.

Place the form in the collection basket or mail it to the church.

2. Selecting Godparents: Godparents play a very important role in your child’s spiritual life. They should serve as role models of the Faith. The child should be able to look to their godparent as an example of how the Church teaches us to live our Catholic faith. They should support not only the child, but also you, the parents, as well. Additionally, in their role as godparent, they represent the larger Church community. Therefore, being a godparent is not only an honor, it is a tremendous responsibility. Thus, the godparents should be carefully chosen. In recognizing the importance of the godparent and their duties, the Church has provided guidelines to help parents choose the best possible godparents.

Ss. Francis and John strictly adheres to Canon Law in all aspects of Baptism.  

The Church requirements for Roman Catholic godparents are:
  • A child must have one practicing Roman Catholic godparent in good standing with the Church.

  • This Catholic godparent must be a least 16 years old and be mature enough to understand, accept, and carryout the duties of a godparent.

  • A godparent must have received the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

  • A godparent must be living an exemplary life consistent with faith and morals as taught by the Roman Catholic Church.

  • A godparent must be actively practicing the faith.

  • A non-Catholic, baptized Christian may be chosen as a Christian Witness, as long as one godparent is Catholic.

  • If two godparents are chosen, they may not be of the same gender.

  • There may be no more than two godparents.

  • If both are Catholic, both must meet all the criteria above.

  • Any person may serve as a proxy if the godparent is physically unable to be present at the baptism.

3. Godparent Certificates: All godparents, including those from Ss. Francis and John’s and Christian Witnesses, must obtain a certificate/letter from their own parish/church stating that they are members in good standing and are eligible to act as a godparent/Christian Witness. These certificates should be submitted to the parish office as soon as possible after the initial baptism registration.  Without these certificates there may be a postponement of your child’s Baptism.

4. Naming Your Child: The name you select in addition to your family name will provide your child with a unique identity. The long standing tradition of the Church has been to give at least one name of a Saint or person from our Biblical tradition.  A Christian name will provide your child with a model for Christ-centered living.  For resources on Saints names you may find the following Website helpful: http://wordbytes.org/saints/names.htm

5. Baptism Preparation Class: All parents seeking baptism for their children are required to attend a Baptism Preparation Class. This class is held every other month in the undercroft. Parents are encouraged to attend a class prior to the birth of their baby. All godparents are welcome and encouraged to attend the class if they are in the local area. Childcare will be provided during the sessions.

6. Scheduling the Baptism: Baptisms will be celebrated during masses on the second and fourth weekends of the month, except during Lent. Baptisms may only be scheduled during the Baptism Preparation course, held every other month in the undercroft.

7. Pictures at the Baptism: Photographs and video are encouraged at the baptism ceremony. These are excellent means of sharing the memory of this joyous and special day with your child as he/she grows in age and faith. They will  also turn out to be a good teaching tool. Please be sure to follow the instructions of celebrant to insure that you will not interfere with the ceremony.

8. Family Donation: There is no fee, however many families wish to make a donation on the occasion of their child's Baptism.

9. Baptismal Record and Certificate: The baptism will be recorded in the permanent records of the parish from the information that you provide. Please be sure of the accuracy of information and the spelling of names. A Baptismal certificate will be provided following the Baptism. Later, whenever a certificate might be needed, it can be provided from the parish record.

For more information, email parishoffice@ssfrancisjohn.org or call the Parish office at 502.863.3404