When are baptisms celebrated at Saint Joseph Cathedral?

Baptisms are scheduled monthly following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Baptism may also be incorporated into the Sunday Eucharist providing the parents are regular members of the worshiping community. Parents or guardians are required to attend a catechetical session with Deacon Bob and Elaine Potvin prior to the baptism so they may come to an understanding of their responsibility as the “first educators of their child in the faith,” to determine the eligibility of the godparents and to review the rite of baptism.

What are the requirements to have my child baptized at Saint Joseph Cathedral?

Parents or guardians are required to be registered parishioners in the Cathedral parish or have immediate family members who are members of the parish (e.g., grandparents who are registered parishioners). If a family belongs to another parish but is asking to have the sacrament celebrated at Saint Joseph Cathedral, we must receive a letter of permission from the pastor of the parish to which they belong attesting that the parents are active members of the parish and have participated in the baptismal preparation class either at the Cathedral or in their home parish.

Who can be a godparent?

Church law requires that at least one godparent must be a practicing, fully initiated (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) member of the Roman Catholic Church. Godparents must be at least 16 years of age and submit a sponsor certificate from their pastor (obtained from Deacon Bob) no less than 2 weeks prior to the baptism.

Can a non-Catholic be a godparent?

No, only a Catholic may serve as a godparent because they promise to do everything possible to ensure that the child will be raised in the faith. A non-Catholic Christian can serve as a witness to the baptism as long as there is one Catholic godparent. A non-baptized person cannot serve as a godparent or a witness.

Must the godparents be present for the baptism?

A proxy may stand in for a godparent in the event that the godparent(s) cannot be present for the ceremony. Deacon Bob must know in advance if a proxy will stand in for the ceremony. The appointment of a proxy is made in writing, or in front of two witnesses, by the godparent of the one to be baptized.

May we have a private baptism?

No, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Since we celebrate Baptism as an initiation into the life of a community, it is important that the community should be a part of the baptism as well.