Who can have a child baptized at St. Joseph Cathedral?
Anyone may request a baptism for their child. If you are not registered in a Catholic parish, you will be encouraged to register at St. Joseph Cathedral or your local parish. Sometimes the child’s parents are members of another parish, but the child’s grandparents or other relatives are members of the Cathedral, and would like the baptism to take place here.  In that case the parents must contact the Cathedral directly with their request. It is the responsibility of their home parish to prepare the parents.  The parents’ home parish must send a letter of permission to St. Joseph Cathedral.

How old can the child be?
The child to be baptized as “an infant” should be under the age of seven.  If the child is older than that they can be prepared for baptism through the Children’s Catechumenate (RCIC).  Contact the parish office to arrange for an older child’s baptism.

What does the Catholic Church require of parents?

Preparation:  Every parish is required to prepare parents in some manner before their child is baptized.  Here at the Cathedral this process is accomplished by having the parents contact the baptism coordinator, Deacon Bob Potvin, at the parish office (603) 622-6404.  They must also schedule and attend a training session on the sacrament of Baptism, usually given on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Rectory Conference Room.  This needs to be done at least one month before the baptism is to take place in order to get the godparent forms signed and returned from their parishes at least one week before baptism.  No baptisms can take place without verification of the godparents.

At the Baptism Rite, parents are addressed:
“You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him/her in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him/her up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?” Parents should already be demonstrating that they have a commitment to their faith and are practicing themselves what they want to pass on to their child.

What does the Catholic Church require of godparents?

Godparents are chosen to support the parents in the commitment the parents are making.  Whereas most parents choose two godparents for their child, only one is required.  At least one of your chosen godparents must be a fully initiated Catholic (has received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), and if married be in a valid Catholic marriage. They must be over the age of 16 and active in practicing their faith. If a second godparent doesn’t meet this requirement of a sponsor, they should at least be baptized – a Christian witness.  If two godparents are chosen, one is the godfather and one is the godmother.

What is the schedule for baptisms at St. Joseph Cathedral?

With few exceptions a Baptism Rite is scheduled at 12:00 pm Check with the office for the next scheduled Sunday.

How do I proceed to have my child baptized at St. Joseph Cathedral?

The process begins with at phone call to the Baptism Coordinator at the parish office: (603) 622-6404.  The coordinator will explain the process of preparation and scheduling, and answer any questions you may have.  The process may begin before the baby is born, but you should allow a minimum of six weeks before the baptism is to take place.   Only emergency baptisms are allowed during the season of Lent but baptism preparation can be scheduled during that time.