These requirements apply to parents wishing to have their child who is less than seven years old baptized at Holy Spirit. Parents should familiarize themselves with these requirements and then call the parish office at (480) 838-7474 to begin the process to have their child baptized.
1) Parents who are members of Holy Spirit, or who reside within the Holy Spirit boundaries (the boundaries are North to Baseline; South to Warner; East to Price Road; West to Kyrene) and wish to have a child baptized at Holy Spirit should call the parish office as soon as possible to schedule a welcoming discussion with the parish Baptism Coordinator. In that conversation, the Coordinator will go over the specific requirements for preparation for the sacrament for your child. The initial paperwork will be completed at this time. A provisional date will be set for the baptism. The date will not be final until all preparation requirements have been completed.
2) Parents registered in a parish other than Holy Spirit, but who desire to have their child baptized at Holy Spirit, should complete the baptism preparation requirements at their home parish. The parents should then ask their home parish to send a letter to the pastor of Holy Spirit stating that the home parish baptism preparation requirements have been satisfied and requesting that the baptism be performed at Holy Spirit.
3) For those parents who are not registered at Holy Spirit and do not live within the parish boundaries, a letter is needed from the parish in whose boundaries they do live. This letter should give permission for the baptism to be held at Holy Spirit.
4) Unless otherwise determined by the Baptism Coordinator, because of a previous baptism preparation class or the equivalent, parents are required to attend a baptism preparation class. The class may be taken at Holy Spirit or at another location. If the class is not taken at Holy Spirit, you must provide the Baptism Coordinator with a copy of proof of attendance. It is recommended that the baptism class be completed during pregnancy. Baptism preparation classes at Holy Spirit are usually held on the second Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 12 noon during the months of February, April, June, August, October and December and on the second Tuesday of the month from 6:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. during the months of March, May, July, September and November. The date for attendance at the class will be discussed at the initial welcoming discussion with the Baptism Coordinator.
5) The baptismal record is the primary record of the person’s status with the Church. The baptismal record is to include: full name as found on the birth certificate; date and place of birth as found on the birth certificate; full name of the father; full birth or “maiden” name of the mother; full name of the Minister of the Sacrament; full names of the sponsors/godparents or Christian witness. A government issued birth certificate is to be used as supporting documentation for the baptismal record. If the government issued birth certificate is not possible to obtain, the hospital record can be used to verify the date of birth and parents names. Parents will need to present a copy of the child’s government issued birth certificate or hospital record at the time of the welcoming discussion.
6) The Catholic Church requires that there be at least one practicing Catholic godparent. If the parents would like to have two godparents, one must be male and the other female. A godparent must be fully initiated (baptized, confirmed, and first Eucharist), practicing Catholic at least 16 years of age. If married, the godparent must be married in the Catholic Church. The godparent should be a practicing member of a Catholic faith community. Godparents are encouraged, but not required, to attend a baptism preparation class. Godparents are required to complete the form in the baptism packet affirming that they meet the requirements to serve as a godparent.
In some cultural traditions, there is a desire to have additional honorary godparents be part of the ceremony and continue to be an important part of the child’s life. This is permitted; however, the honorary godparents will not be officially recorded in the baptismal record.
7) Parents selecting only one godparent may have a Christian witness serve with the godparent. A Christian witness must be a baptized Christian of a denomination recognized by the Catholic Church. Catholics cannot serve as a Christian witness. A Christian witness is encouraged, but not required, to attend the baptism preparation class. The Christian witness must sign the appropriate form from the baptism packet.
8) Remember that the date of the baptism is provisional until all preparation requirements, including the baptism preparation class for the parents and signed forms from the godparents/Christian witness and the birth certificate have been received and verified by the Baptism Coordinator. To avoid any inconveniences to you and your guests, please complete all requirements no later than two weeks before the provisionally scheduled baptism. If the requirements are not met at least two weeks before the provisional baptism date, the baptism will be rescheduled for a later date.
Celebration:
1) Baptism of infants will generally be celebrated on the fourth Sunday of each month at 12:30pm in the church.
2) There is no charge for baptism preparation or the sacrament itself. However, many families make a donation to the church in thanksgiving for the gift of new life in baptism received by their child. You may also consider donating your time as a volunteer to one of the many ministries at Holy Spirit.