BAPTISM

Register to attend a Baptism Preparation Class with the link above. At the class you will receive a Baptism Registration Form to fill out for each child.  You may submit on the day of the class & submit with your child's birth certificate at the end of class. You may also return the form and a copy of the child’s Certificate of Birth in person, by mail or by email to [email protected]

No, you may not schedule a Baptism before you fill in the paperwork.  St. Laurence Catholic Church needs the completed forms to create a paper trail for a number of other activities that occur “behind the scenes.”

No.  The Certification of Vital Statistics is an abstract of the Certificate of Birth.  The Certificate of Birth, also referred to as the "long form" contains more detailed information that the Church requires.  

Send in the Baptism Registration Form with a note that you will send a copy of the birth certificate as soon as it is available.  Please note that per the policy of the Archdiocese, we do not issue a baptismal certificate or make a complete entry in the sacramental register without a copy of the birth certificate onfile.   
 

The Baptism Certificate is a legal document.  It is very important that the child’s full name be inscribed in the Baptismal record exactly as it appears in the birth certificate.  St. Laurence uses the birth certificate to verify the child’s name, spelling, parents’ names, etc

Yes, you may schedule the Baptism at the end of the Baptism preparation class if all your paperwork including the Baptism Registration Form is complete.  Or you can contact St. Laurence Catholic Church at [email protected] to request a date.  As a guideline, at St. Laurence the Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated as a group three dates per month on either Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons in the church.
 

Please contact St. Laurence Catholic Church immediately at 281-980-9812.  The receptionist will connect you with an individual who can assist you with arranging an emergency Baptism.
 

Yes.  It is important that both parents understand the responsibilities of baptizing a child in the Catholic Church.

Yes.  The parents must provide a certificate of attendance if they do not take the preparation class at St. Laurence Catholic Church. You must have taken the class within the last five years.

 

A Godparent must be a Catholic in good standing who is at least 16 years old.  He or she must have completed his or her Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation) and if married, must be married in the Church. They may not be the parent or legal guardian of the child. 
 

The only “work-around” is for the individual to attend adult Confirmation classes and be confirmed prior to the child’s Baptism. 
 

To be a Godparent, one must be Catholic.  A family member or dear friend who is a member & baptized in the trinity of a different Christian faith tradition may, however, be a “Christian Witness” to the child. You may have a Christian Witness in place of one of the godparents.  You must have at least one godparent. 
 

A Godparent is a Catholic; a non-Catholic of a different Christian faith tradition may stand as a “Christian Witness” in addition to one Godparent.  If an individual was baptized Catholic but have not been Confirmed, they may not be a "Christian Witness". 
 

No, she (he) may not, since she (he) is not in a valid marriage  A person in a valid marriage is one who either was:  1) Married by a priest or deacon, 2) married by a minister with the proper dispensation from the Bishop, or 3) had the marriage convalidated by the Catholic Church.
 

Yes. 
 

Yes. 
 

No, although they often are.  
 

St. Laurence Catholic Church will provide a candle to be used in the Rite of Baptism.  Some families prefer to bring their own.  Depending upon the family’s tradition, one may choose to provide a shell for the actual pouring of the water or bring other items to be blessed by the presider. The child should be dressed in a white (or mostly white) garment.  Families are welcome to bring their own candles, shells, or other items.  Please tell the presider before the Rite of Baptism begins.  Please unwrap or unbox all items prior to arrival at the church so they are readily available. 
 

Photographs (preferably without flash) are allowed, but within reason.  Please maintain a respectful distance from the presider and the child. It is highly recommended that one person be designated the photographer for the entire family to minimize disrupting this special sacramental moment.
 

Godparents do not have to be present at the Baptism.  The parents can ask someone to be a proxy for the Godparent(s).  The proxy must fulfill the same canon law requirements for a godparent.  You must notify the baptism coordinator on the day of the baptism that a proxy was present so they can note in the sacramental register.
 

St. Laurence Catholic Church will issue a Baptismal Certificate the day of the Baptism. After the Baptism the details are inscribed in the permanent Church records. Please keep this Baptismal Certificate in a safe place since you will need to provide a copy for all subsequent sacraments in the Catholic Church.