Prayerfully consider who will fulfill the role of Godparent for your child. Review the expectations below.
Forward the Godparent Certificate of Committment to each Catholic Godparent and have them complete and return directly to the Parish Office. Return address is indicated on the form.
Demonstrate one or both parents are practicing Catholic and registered members of a Catholic parish. Parents should be striving to practice the Catholic faith. Registration in the parish is an important vital part of your practice. If you feel called to worship here at Holy Spirit Parish, we warmly welcome you to register with us. Additional details are available on our website: New Membership at Holy Spirit Parish. In the case of nonmembers, we will need a letter of permission and delegation from the pastor of their home parish.
Provide the church with an original copy of the state issued birth certificated. We have a secured drop box at the front door of the Parish Center that can be accessed any time day or night. If you'd like the certificate returned, please leave a note letting us knonw. It will be mailed back after the baptism date.
Submit the $25 Sacramental fee per child. Payments can be submitted online (see below) or by checks made payable to Holy Spirit Parish with "Baptism Fee" in the check memo line at the time of registration. If you are unable to pay due to financial hardship, assistance is available. No one will ever be denied a Sacrament. Please contact Leah Ackley at the Parish Office for further questions regarding financial assistance.
SACRAMENTAL FEE - submit payment online here
Godparent expectations - read thoroughly before registering
Parents, you likely have lots of friends and family who will serve as fantastic moral supports for your child. What a blessing! For the Sacrament of Baptism, the Church is quite specific about the qualifications of a Godparent. The person attests to their own Catholic faith and promises to support parents raising the child in that same faith.
Pay special attention to the additional requirements outlined below when choosing a Godparent for your child(ren) as indicated by Church Canon Laws 873 and 874. Additionally, each individual you chose to serve as a Catholic Godparent must complete a Godparent Certificate of Committment which includes a signature/Church seal verifying their membership at a Catholic Parish. They will also need to request a copy of their Sacramental Records be forwarded to Holy Spirit Parish.
There may only be one male, one female, or one of each. Two Godparents or a Godparent/Christian Witness of the same sex are not permitted.
He/She must be at least 16 years of age
He/She must have been fully initiated in the Catholic Church having received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy First Communion, and Confirmation
He/She must be “practicing” the Catholic faith – living a life consistent with the faith and morals taught by the Roman Catholic Church; participating in the Sacraments and registered at a Catholic church.
He/She must not the father or mother of the child to be baptize
Participating and baptized Christians of other denominations may serve as a “Christian Witness” but only alongside a Catholic Godparent that meets the guidelines above. If two Catholic Godparents are indicated, then a Christian Witness is not permitted.