A SACRAMENT OF WELCOME
We share in your excitement in the anticipation of welcoming your child into our community of faith. We hope that you will find our baptismal preparation to be an opportunity of growth in your faith as well. As your parish, we will provide support in raising your child in the practice of the faith through continued religious education.
In preparing for your child's baptism, it is necessary for parents to choose the child's godparent(s) wisely. Godparents should be someone who is a good sacramental role model – meaning they should attend church regularly and have received their Confirmation. If they are married (either to one another or to another person), their marriage should have been celebrated in the Catholic Church as well. These are the requirements of Canon Law (the law of the Catholic Church) and are strictly adhered to in our parish.
In preparing for your child's baptism, it is necessary for parents to choose the child's godparent(s) wisely. Godparents should be someone who is a good sacramental role model – meaning they should attend church regularly and have received their Confirmation. If they are married (either to one another or to another person), their marriage should have been celebrated in the Catholic Church as well. These are the requirements of Canon Law (the law of the Catholic Church) and are strictly adhered to in our parish.
BAPTISMAL PREPARATION CLASSES
Parents and godparents are required to attend a baptismal preparation class. If godparents are from another area, they may attend in their own parish. Those baptizing in other parishes are welcome to attend our class. All those in attendance will receive a Baptismal Preparation Class Certificate upon completion.
2012 CLASS DATES:
Pre-registration is required for the upcoming classes:
TIME: Class begins promptly at 7 p.m.
PLACE: Notre Dame Hall 8th & Dewitt Streets Downtown Clovis (1 block north of the Church)
COST: $10/parents, $10/godparent (payable at class)
BE SURE TO OBTAIN CHILDCARE. If this is not possible, then parents should attend two separate classes so that one parent may care for the children at home.
2012 CLASS DATES:
- January 12
- February 9
- March 8
- No class in April
- May 10
Pre-registration is required for the upcoming classes:
- June 14
- July 12
- August 9
- September 13
- October 11
- November 8
- December 13
TIME: Class begins promptly at 7 p.m.
PLACE: Notre Dame Hall 8th & Dewitt Streets Downtown Clovis (1 block north of the Church)
COST: $10/parents, $10/godparent (payable at class)
BE SURE TO OBTAIN CHILDCARE. If this is not possible, then parents should attend two separate classes so that one parent may care for the children at home.
SCHEDULING A BAPTISM
Download the Baptismal Registration form by clicking here and turn it in to the Parish Office along with copies of the following documents:
- child's birth certificate;
- godparent's Confirmation certificates;
- godparent's Catholic Marriage certificate (if married);
- baptismal class completion certificates; and
- $40 registration fee for each child
Special Requests and Circumstances
PRIVATE BAPTISMS: Due to the size of our parish, we are unable to do private baptisms (with the exception of a serious condition such as the child's surgery or grave illness). For children over the age of 6, call our Director of Religious Education, Karen Mentlewski.
GODPARENTS IN SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION: To qualify as a Godparent, a person must have already received their sacraments. If they are in the process of receiving Confirmation or having their Marriage blessed by the church and you wish for them to be the godparents to your child, the baptism may be arranged after they receive their sacrament(s).
MULTIPLE GODPARENTS: Though traditionally some cultures include others as "honorary" godparents, a child may have only one Godfather and/or one Godmother.
GODPARENT'S CERTIFICATES: If the Godparents received their Confirmation in another country, they must contact the local diocese in that country to obtain a new certificate. Click here for the Diocese in Mexico.
GODPARENTS IN SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION: To qualify as a Godparent, a person must have already received their sacraments. If they are in the process of receiving Confirmation or having their Marriage blessed by the church and you wish for them to be the godparents to your child, the baptism may be arranged after they receive their sacrament(s).
MULTIPLE GODPARENTS: Though traditionally some cultures include others as "honorary" godparents, a child may have only one Godfather and/or one Godmother.
GODPARENT'S CERTIFICATES: If the Godparents received their Confirmation in another country, they must contact the local diocese in that country to obtain a new certificate. Click here for the Diocese in Mexico.
Preparation for Baptism: Ages 7-17
Students will receive Catholic Initiation instruction similar to the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). The number of students preparing for Baptism will determine the time and day of class.
