Congratulations on the birth of your child, a precious gift from God, and thank you for your desire to give your child the gift of the sacramental life of faith through Baptism.
 

GUIDELINES FOR INFANT BAPTISM
 

1. For an infant to be baptized lawfully it is required: that the parents, or at least one of them, or the person who lawfully holds their place, give their consent;  That there be a well founded hope that the child will be brought up in the catholic religion.   Can. 868
2. The parents must attend a Baptismal Seminar prior to the actual Baptism, unless they have already attended for another child within two (2) years.  Baptismal Seminars are held on the 1st Thursday of the month at 7:00pm in the Rectory located on Imperial Woods.  Godparents are also required to attend the seminar.
3. If the parents of the child are not married, the father’s name will not be placed on the Baptismal Certificate unless there is a notarized document claiming paternity from the father.  The hospital document will not suffice.
4. SPONSORS (Godparents):  It is not absolutely necessary to have two Godparents.  You may have a Godfather only or a Godmother only, but in no case is there to be two Godparents from the same sex.  To be admitted to the role of Godparent, a person must:

                       A.       Be designated by the parents.
                       B.       Be a least 16 years old.
                       C.       Be a confirmed Catholic who lives in harmony with the faith and the  role to be                                                    undertaken.
                       D.       Not bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared.
                       E.       Not the parent of the child being baptized.

         5. WITNESSES:  A baptized person who belongs to a non- 
             Catholic Ecclesial community may not be admitted except as   
             a Christian witness to Baptism and together with a Catholic Sponsor.
         6. The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated after 11:30 am Mass on the 3^rd  
              Sunday of each month.  Parents wishing to baptize their
              child in St. Rita Parish that do not reside in our territorial
              boundaries, must request permission from their territorial
              parish pastor.  Once permission has been obtained, a letter
              granting such permission must be mailed to us from that
               Pastor.
          7. It is customary to give a donation to the Church for the 
              Sacrament of Baptism.  This donation goes to the Church,   
              not the minister of the sacrament.
          8. If the parents are residing in the parish and are not registered,
               we request that they register with the church.