The parish family of St. William the Abbot rejoices with you on the occasion of the birth and baptism of your child. We hope you will join our parish community in actively building God’s kingdom through ongoing participation in our worship, faith formation and service to others.
A Communal SacramentSt. William celebrates baptism every Sunday at 1PM. To ensure the dignity of each celebration, we limit the number of children to be baptized each Sunday.
Preparation for the Sacrament
Call the parish office and schedule the celebration of the sacrament as soon as possible. Our secretary will explain what you will need to do before the baptism day.
The Role and Responsibility of Sponsors
When you extend the invitation to family or friends to be a sponsor, you are asking them to make a lifelong commitment to your child, beginning with baptism. In infant baptism, the sponsors, with the parents, present the child for baptism and help the baptized lead the Christian life and fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent to it. The Church requires a sponsor be a baptized and confirmed Catholic over 16 years of age, who regularly participates in the Eucharist and is an active member of a Catholic faith community, leading a life in harmony with the duty they are undertaking. Each sponsor is asked to provide a letter from his or her own parish attesting to this fast. The Code of Canon Law goes on to state that one sponsor must be male and the other sponsor must be a female. The parents of the child to be baptized may not act as sponsors.
Requirements to Obtain a Sponsor Certificate/Letter of Eligibility
The godparents, together with the parents, must be willing to help the baptized grow in love for Christ and neighbor. By word and example, the godparents will encourage the candidate to live the Christian life and fulfill faithfully the obligations connected with it. (cf. Code of Canon Law, c. 872-874)
- A sponsor must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, and if married, married in the Catholic Church.
- A sponsor must be at least 16 years old.
- A sponsor attends Mass faithfully participating in the life and support of the Church, receiving the Eucharist, and leading a life according to the teachings of the Church.
- A sponsor must be registered here at St. William. If he/she received all his/her sacraments here at St. William, but does not live here, they are not a member of this parish but a member of the parish whose territory he/she now resides in. That parish is the one to go to, to receive a sponsor certificate.
Baptism Preparation Class
According to the Code of Canon Law, the parents of an infant to be baptized, should be suitably instructed about the meaning of the sacrament and the obligations that go with it. Given the fundamental importance of the sacrament of baptism in your child’s faith life, St. William invites all parents and sponsors to attend a baptism preparation class where you will learn about the sacrament and the commitment it requires of you as parents. We offer classes on the third Monday of the month at 7PM. Please call the office when you know which class you can attend.
