Baptism Preparation

Registered families of St. George who wish to have a baby baptized must attend a pre-baptismal class.

Baptism preparation should begin at least 3 months prior to the desired Baptism date.

Baptism preparation at St George begins with personal contact with the Baptism Coordinator at the parish. Registration forms will be filled out during the 1^st contact.

The Baptism Coordinator will schedule a home visit with a priest or deacon after registration. Upon completing the home visit, parents and godparents are required to attend the Baptism Preparation Classes. (One prior to the Baptism and one following the Baptism.) Nursery service is available for toddlers during preparation classes; however you must reserve a space one week prior to the class. Infants may stay with the parents during the class. Dates of classes and Baptisms will be given during the home visit.

Parents and Godparents who have attended a class within the past three years are exempt from the classes.

• The parents must be registered members of St. George Parish.
• Baptism is a community celebration in our parish. Baptisms are celebrated once a month alternating each month to be held either during a para-liturgical celebration Mass or after Mass.
• Private Baptisms are allowed only under extreme circumstances and are celebrated only by Deacons.
• No Baptisms are performed during Lent.
• Parents may schedule Baptisms after the home visit.

• At least one Godparent is required for each child; however, two is traditional.
• Only two Godparents can be written into the official register. (Must be one male and one female.)
• At least one Godparent must be a Roman Catholic in good standing who is over 16 years of age and has received the sacrament of Confirmation.
• Catholic Godparents must send a letter from their parish confirming their status as parishioners in good standing and their ability to serve in this role.
• If the second Godparent is not a Catholic, they are called a Christian Witness. These individuals must be baptized in their own faith and practicing their religion.
• If a Godparent is Catholic but not confirmed, they will be called a Christian Witness.
• Godparents cannot be the mother or father of the baby.
• If a Godparent cannot attend a baptism celebration, a proxy can stand for them, but the baptismal register will list the actual Godparent that has been selected.