Baptism at St. Bede the Venerable Parish

 

The Gift of Baptism

Baptism is the foundation of the Christian life and the gateway to the other sacraments.  Through Baptism, we are freed from sin, reborn as children of God, incorporated into Christ, and welcomed as members of His Church.

Congratulations on preparing to have your child baptized!  This is a joyful and sacred moment for your family and our entire parish community.  By bringing your child to the waters of Baptism, you give your child the precious gift of new life in Christ.

As parents, you will be your child’s first and most important teachers in the Catholic faith.  The parish community is honored to support you as you embrace this beautiful responsibility.

Scheduling the Baptism

Because parents make the baptismal promises and accept the responsibility of raising their child in the Catholic faith, they should contact the parish to request and schedule the Baptism.  Grandparents, godparents, relatives, or friends should not schedule the Baptism on behalf of the parents.  The parents must be the ones presenting their child for Baptism.

  1. Please call the Parish Office at 215-357-5720 to begin the process of scheduling your child’s Baptism. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.    to 9:00 p.  m.  and Saturday from 9:00 a.  m.  until noon.
  2. Please be prepared to provide the following information:
    • The names of both parents
    • Your child’s full name
    • Your preferred date for the Baptism
  3. Baptisms at St. Bede the Venerable Parish are ordinarily celebrated on the first and third Sundays of the month, following the 12:30 Mass at approximately 1:30 p.m. All requested dates are subject to availability and are not confirmed until approved by the parish.
  4. After the initial information has been received, a member of the clergy will contact you to complete the baptismal information. You will be asked to provide:
    1. Your child’s full name
    2. Your child’s place and date of birth
    3. The mother’s maiden name
    4. The names of the sponsors, traditionally called godparents. (See information below on choosing sponsors or godparents)

Preparing for Your Child’s Baptism

Parents of a first child being baptized are required to attend a Pre-Jordan baptismal preparation class.  This class offers an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of Baptism, review the baptismal liturgy, discuss the promises parents and godparents will make, and understand the responsibility of raising a child in the Catholic faith.

  1. Please register for the class by contacting the Religious Education Office at 215-357-2130.
  2. Pre-Jordan classes are ordinarily held on the second Sunday of each month at noon.
  3. Both parents are expected to attend whenever possible.
  4. The class is held in the Drexel Center and lasts approximately one hour.

Choosing Godparents

Godparents have an important role in your child’s life.  They are chosen to support the parents and to help the child grow in faith and live as a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.

A godparent does not need to be married.  However, if a proposed godparent is married, the marriage must be validly recognized by the Catholic Church.

To serve as a Catholic godparent, a person must:

  1. Be a baptized and confirmed Catholic who has received First Holy Communion at least 16 years old.
  2. Be an active and practicing member of the Catholic Church who is able to receive the sacraments and faithfully carry out the responsibilities of a godparent.
  3. If married, be married in a union recognized as valid by the Catholic Church.
  4. Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Catholic parish where he or she is currently registered and practicing the faith.

A Certificate of Eligibility from the person’s current parish (i.e., the parish where they normally attend Sunday Mass and receive the sacraments) is required.  The certificate should be obtained from that parish and submitted by the parents to the St. Bede Parish Office at least two weeks before the Baptism.

If the original certificate cannot be submitted in advance, a clear photograph or scanned copy may be sent by email.  The certificate must be signed by the sponsor’s pastor or an authorized clergy member and bear the official parish-raised seal.  The original certificate must then be brought to St. Bede on the day of the Baptism.

Traditionally, a child has two godparents: one godmother and one godfather.  However, only one qualified Catholic godparent or sponsor is required.

A baptized Christian from another denomination may serve as a godparent alongside a Catholic godparent.  This person is known as a Christian witness rather than a godparent.  A Christian witness must be a baptized Christian but may not be a Catholic who has left the Catholic Church.

We look forward to accompanying your family as you prepare for this joyful celebration and welcome your child into the life of Christ and His Church.

 

WATCH THE VIDEO: WHY DO WE BAPTIZE