St. Ignatius Martyr Parish

Baptisms are normally held at 3:30 p.m. in the Church on the first and third Sundays of the month. Arrangements for a baptism at one of our weekend Masses is also possible.

To assist parents in preparing for the baptism of their child, St. Ignatius offers Baptism classes. We ask that parents attend these classes or provide a written statement from the Catholic Church where the classes were taken. If parents have attended classes within the last three years, we do not request that they repeat them.

Instructions to Parents

To register your child for Baptism, the following should be done:

• Complete the registration form for Baptism at the Church Office.
• Provide the child's birth certificate; a copy will be made in the Church Office and the original returned to you.
• There is a $10 registration fee covering class supplies for the parents and godparents.
• If you attend Mass at another parish, a letter of permission, from that parish, to have your child baptized here will be requested.

Godparents

According to Canon Law, the law governing the Catholic Church, a godparent for a Catholic Baptism must be a fully initiated practicing Catholic. Non-Catholics may not serve as godparents for a Catholic Baptism.

• At least one Godparent is required; no more than two (one male and one female) are allowed.
• The Godparent needs to be a practicing Catholic who is at least sixteen (16) years of age.
• The Godparent must be fully initiated in the Catholic Church, that is, they must have received the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. Regular attendance at Mass is expected. Regular participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation is encouraged.
• If married, the Godparent needs to be in a marriage considered valid in the Catholic Church. This may be proved with a recent copy of the person's Baptismal certificate; the godparents may be asked to provide this document to the Church Office.
• In order to prepare for the celebration of this sacrament, we ask that godparents attend Baptism classes (here or elsewhere). If godparents have attended classes within the past three years, we do not request that they repeat them.

Baptism Classes

Baptism classes are normally held on the last two Tuesdays of the month. Classes are normally held in the Large Meeting Room in the Family Center.

• Attendance at both classes is expected.
• Registration for the classes is required.
• Both parents and Godparents should attend classes. If the classes are taken at another parish, a letter stating that they were completed is requested.
• If the parents or Godparents attended the Baptism classes within the last three years, we do not ask you to repeat them; however, we will verify this information.

We do offer our classes for those who are having their children baptized in another parish. Please stop by the Church Office to register for Baptism Classes only. A certificate will be provided upon successful attendance at both classes.

It is important that all the documents (registration form, birth certificate, etc.) and the attendance at class are completed prior to the Baptism. Your child's baptism may be postponed if the necessary items have not been completed.