Baptism

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

Mt 28:19-28

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 1213

Through Baptism we receive the life-giving, sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit, and we are incorporated into the Body of Christ. We are freed from original sin and become children of God and incorporated into the Church to participate in her mission.

Baptism at St. Joseph's Catholic Parish

Baptisms are celebrated the 1st and 3rd Saturday every month in Spanish at 9:00 a.m. Baptisms in English will be scheduled on an individual basis.

These requirements apply to a child under the age of 7 years. Children older than 8 years of age must participate in a lengthier preparation since they will be preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

Documents that are needed

Certified birth certificates of the candidate to be baptized
Confirmation Certificate of Godparents
Marriage certificate of Godparents if married in the Church

Godparents

Godparents are representatives of the Church and as such must be at least 16 years old and fully initiated into the Church and be practicing Catholics. Thus, if they are married, they must be married in the Church, if the Godparents live in common law marriage or are married only civilly, they cannot be Godparents.

In view of the ecclesial and educational role of godparents and sponsors, only Catholics who are fully initiated into the Church, mature enough to accept publicly the teaching of the magisterium of the Church, living a life consistent with the faith, and who are not bound by any canonical sanction, may be permitted to act as godparents at a Catholic Baptism or as a sponsor at one’s full reception into the Church. baptized believing non-Catholic may be admitted along with a Catholic godparent to serve as a witness of the fact of Baptism.

There may be either one male sponsor (godparent) and one female sponsor or only one sponsor of either sex. There cannot be two sponsors of the same sex.

Donation

A one-time donation to assist the ministry and the parish would be much appreciated.

Parents and Godparents are required to attend a baptismal preparation class prior to the baptism. The class is held monthly please call the parish for dates and times for the class.

Baptism is a gift and the Lord teaches us that what we receive as a gift we are to give as a gift. Therefore there is no fee for the baptism class nor for the baptism itself. Baptism also incorporates us into the Church and the precepts of the Church oblige every Catholic to provide for the support of the ministry of the Church. At the baptism, it is highly recommended that a donation be given for the work of the Church. You might think of this as an investment in your child’s future. Suggested donations are from $50 to $100 dollars which will assist the ministry of the Church. This is a wonderful way that the godparents can assist the family.

God parents are representatives of the Church and as such must be fully initiated into the Catholic Church. Thus they must have received baptism, confirmation and Eucharist and be a participating member of a parish. If they don’t belong to St Joseph’s Parish they must present a letter of good standing from their parish and if married proof that they are married in Catholic Church. It is permitted to have only one godparent but they must be a fully initiated Catholic active in the Catholic Church.

Does it make a difference who you choose to be your children’s Godparents? YES!

People often want to ask their best friends or favorite relatives to act as Godparents for their children; they usually do this as a way of honoring someone. Of course, we all would like to honor those who are dear to us, but the Baptism of your child may not be the right time to do so.

Would you ask your best friend to perform heart surgery on your child? Of course not, unless he/she were a competent heart surgeon. So if the role of Godparents is to help the parents to raise the child in the good practice of the Catholic faith, then it stands to reason that you should ask someone who shows by their own knowledge and practice that they can help someone else follow in their footsteps.

Helping a child become a good Catholic Christian in an important undertaking; it is therefore, equally important to ask someone who regularly prays with the community at Sunday Mass and, who in other ways practices his/her faith and shows commitment to Christian values.

None of this is to suggest that your dear friends or relatives are not good people. They will surely be with you to help you in many other ways. But, a teacher of mathematics may not be a good teacher of English grammar and a good friend or close relative may not be the best model of Catholic Christian practice.

If you value your faith, you will choose the best teachers to help you pass that faith onto your children.

*Taken from Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Godparent (Sponsor) Agreement, September 2005

Please print and fill out the forms below. Once you’ve completely filled out the form, stop by the office with correct documentation. In order to register a Baptism bring the record of Baptism form, the birth certificate of the child, and certificate of Confirmation if the Godparents are single or a Marriage certificate if the Godparents are married. Godparents must be married through the Catholic church.

Record of Baptism Form

If you are seeking Baptism as an adult, visit our Becoming Catholic page. We are happy to celebrate your Baptism and your initiation into supernatural life.

Becoming Catholic

Learn More

The first of the seven sacraments, and the “door” which gives access to the other sacraments. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the “sacraments of initiation” by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ.