Here is a bit of additional information: 

• A meeting with the priest or deacon is required ahead of time if this is your first child. The purpose of this meeting is simply for us to get to know you a bit better, share a little bit of information about the importance of baptism and make sure you are comfortable with the upcoming ceremony. 

• Baptisms take between 20 minutes and a half an hour. Sometimes we have more than one baby at any given baptism ceremony. 

• Canon law requires that the pastor have a firm hope that the child will be brought up catholic. For this reason, it is expected that at least one parent, or possibly a grandparent, but baptized Catholic. 

• If your child is in grade 3 or above, please give us a call at the office, the preparation is slightly different for older children. Children older than infants can be baptized under the authority of the parents until they are about 6, then they are actually old enough to choose the faith themselves, so they will need so special preparation from our baptism ministry team or one of our clergy. If they are in our catholic school, we can discuss preparing them with their teacher as well. 

• Normally there are two Godparents, one male and one female. At least one of them has to be a baptized catholic, however, one of the godparents can also be baptized from another denomination. Unbaptized friends or family are not allowed to act as godparents. 

• There is no fee for baptism, however, a small donation of 25 or 50 dollars for the presiding clergy is not uncommon and will be greatly appreciated. However, this is entirely up to you, it is not a fee and the clergy will not ask for it. You may give him an envelope at the beginning or end of the ceremony. 

• You will be given a certificate and a candle at the ceremony. The candle can be lit on special occasions like birthdays and first communion to commemorate this beautiful ceremony. 

• Please arrive at least 15 minutes early so you can get settled. If there are two baptisms, feel free to have your family sit together on one side of the church. 

• As you enter the church, we would like parents and godparents to be seated in the front pew with the child closest to the aisle. 

• Privacy: We will collect information for our parish baptismal registration books. No names or information will be released to any third party without your permission. 

Here is a link to a great video about baptism and about the catholic faith in general. 

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Baptism Video - From Matthew Kelly, Dynamic Catholic

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Congratulations and we look forward to seeing you in Church.