INFANT & CHILD BAPTISM
The sacrament of Baptism is the first of the three sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Church. The sacrament is offered many times throughout the liturgical year. There is special preparation for parents and children as well as all individuals interested in receiving this sacrament. Please fill out this intake request form to begin the process or call the Parish Office at 270-765-6268.
If your child is over the age of 7 years old, please contact Sister Augusta Nickel for more information on the Order of Christian Initiation for Children.
If you are an adult seeking Baptism in the Catholic Church, please contact Sister Augusta Nickel for more information on the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults.
Frequently Asked Questions about Baptism Classes
What are the requirements to have my child baptized at Saint James?
All parents desiring to have their child baptized in the Catholic faith will need to take a one-time preparation class with Miss Olivia Dvorjak. This individual class will be scheduled after your initial request for Baptism. Following the class, parents will schedule the Baptism. Godparents will also need to complete the class (in person or virtually) or request a letter of good standing with their parish. Please find a template here:
Do I need to take another class if I have already taken one at a different parish or with a different child?
All parishioners are required to take the class one time (within the last three years). If you have not taken it at Saint James or if it has been more than 3 years, you will need to take it.
When should I contact the Parish regarding the Baptism?
Because the Church recommends that the baptism take place shortly after the birth of a baby, parents are encouraged to register for Baptism preparation during pregnancy. We encourage parents to sign up at least three months before the desired baptism date.
When do Baptisms take place?
Baptisms are celebrated either within the masses or in a private setting after the 5pm or 12N masses. More information to come during your prep session!
Frequently Asked Questions about Godparents
What is the role of the Godparent?
The role of the godparent is to be a Christian role model for the child, helping lead and guide them in the Catholic faith. He or she should be a mature Catholic Christian who will establish a lifelong faith relationship and be willing to walk with the child on his or her faith journey.
Who chooses the Godparents?
The parents of the child select the godparents. The parents of the child are not permitted to act as a godparent for their child’s baptism. A godparent should be someone who will be a part of the child’s life on a continuing basis and be an excellent example of living the Catholic faith. If you are struggling to identify a godparent, please let us know if we can help you brainstorm possibilities!
How old should Godparents be?
Godparents should be at least 16 years old. The role of godparent is an adult role, so be sure that if you ask a young person to carry out this duty that he or she is mature enough to fulfill the tasks.
Must Godparents be Catholic?
Yes, only fully initiated (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) Catholics who attend Mass regularly and can receive the Eucharist are eligible to be godparents. A Christian witness, or a non-Catholic Christian, may be allowed, but at least one godparent is required. An unbaptized or non-Christian person may not be a godparent for Baptism. We recommend selecting two godparents for your child, but you may decide to have only one. If you choose two godparents, one must be male and the other must be female, and both must meet all the requirements.
Must Godparents be married in the Catholic Church (if married)?
Yes, if married, the godparent’s marriage must be recognized by the Catholic Church. If they are married civilly or in another Christian tradition, they are not eligible to serve as a godparent until their marriage has been validated by the Catholic Church. If you are interested in having a married validated, please contact the Parish Office at 270-765-6268. God uses moments such as the baptism of a new baby in the family to bring about unity to the broader family with the Church. There are many different marriage situations and much confusion about teachings of the Catholic Church in this area. We are always interested to help work toward unity and reconciliation with families and the church so let us know if you have any questions or how we can help.
Learn More: The Gift of Baptism
Learn more about the gift of Baptism through the video series Reborn, produced by the Augustine Institute and available on Formed.org.
Session 1 – A New Creation: The Mystery of Baptism
Session 2 – Entering the Mystery: The Rite Explained
Session 3 – Nurturing the Life of Grace: Called to Mission