Baptism

TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD FOR BAPTISM AT ST. PHILIP THE APOSTLE:
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-The parent(s) will need to register in person in the Parish Office during open hours.
-The child’s Birth Certificate must be present at the time of registration. We are unable to process the registration if the Birth Certificate is not present.
-A donation of $50.00 per child at time of registration. (Donation is not refundable)
-Parents and Godparents are required to attend a Baptism preparation class, if you have already attended a class in the last 12 months you can submit the certificate of attendance to Eileen@stphilipchurch.org or Tania@stphilipchurch.org.

-Godparents must have received all the Sacraments of Initiation in order to qualify to be a godparent and must present a Confirmation certificate (if single), and if they are married they must also present a Marriage certificate from the catholic church they were married in.

 

Baptisms are held the 1st Saturday of the Month at 10:00 am in Spanish and the 3rd Saturday of the month in English in the Main Sanctuary. There are no Baptisms during the Season of Lent.

 


DIOCESE OF FRESNO POLICY FOR RECEPTION OF BAPTISM AND CATHOLIC CODE OF CANON LAW* FOR RECEPTION OF BAPTISM

For infant baptism:
-Infants should be baptized soon after birth, but sufficient time is necessary for the proper instruction.

-Children who are seven years of age or older must receive instruction in the Church before being baptized.
-The ordinary place for baptism is in the parish church attended by the parents.
-One of the parents or a legal guardian must request baptism.

Children who are seven years of age or older must enroll for the appropriate RCIA program according to their age before being baptized.

FOR GODPARENTS
Godparents play an important role in the life of a child. A child's Baptism is a very special day. Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments in the life of the Catholic Church. As such, it is the gateway into the Christian life. This sacrament can only be celebrated once in a person's life, making it a day to be remembered.


The Church follows Canon Law for requirements regarding Godparents. This is not a judgment on other people, but rather a way to ensure that a child baptized into the Catholic Church has a Godparent who can relate to their faith and help to pass it on. Canon Law sections 872-874 state that Godparents for Baptism are:

- at least 18 years old

- fully initiated into Catholic Church (have received sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation)

- Godparents will provide proof of both of their confirmation certificates and if married their marriage certificate through the Catholic church. 
   if married, must be married through a Catholic ceremony or have received a blessing of the marriage from the Church.

   Civil marriage certificates are not valid. 

- One Godparent is acceptable; if two Godparents are chosen, then one should be male and one female. No more than two Godparents (one male and one female) can be registered.

- As long as there is one qualified Catholic Godparent with all the required certificates, the other Godparent that is non-Catholic, will be known as a "Christian Witness" however there name will not be recorded on the baptism certificate

All paperwork for each Godparent must be present at the time of registration.

 

*Canon Law is a code of ecclesiastical laws governing the Catholic Church.*

**Witnesses will not be named on the Baptism Certificate**