Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Greensboro, NC

BAPTISM

1. Baptism is available for registered members of Our Lady of Grace Church. Attendance at a Baptismal Preparation Class is required prior to the celebration. Our Lady of Grace offers Baptismal Preparation Classes on the first Sunday of every month at 1:00 PM in the school library. The class takes approximately one hour and a reservation is not necessary. Both parents are asked to attend. Godparents are not required to attend the class for Baptisms taking place within the Diocese of Charlotte. However, they are welcome to attend if interested. Changes to the class schedule are noted in the parish bulletin.

If you have attended a Baptismal Preparation Class within the past three years you do not need to attend again. Please complete this Application for Baptism and contact Nicole Alvarez
(274-6520 ext. 315) in the church office to schedule a date.

2. Baptisms take place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 4:00 PM. Please check with the church office before settling on a date. Due to our church schedule, not all Saturdays or Sundays are available.

3. The Church requires that a family choose a Godparent whose primary role is to support the parents in bringing up the child in the faith. Most families choose two Godparents. The Church prefers that both Godparents be practicing Catholics. However, if they are not both Catholic, then one must be a practicing Catholic, and the second must be a baptized non-Catholic who serves as a Christian Witness. Also, Godparents must be one Godfather (male) and one Godmother (female). A Catholic Godparent is required to obtain a Sponsor Letter from their parish. This letter (sometimes referred to as a Sponsor Form or Certificate of Eligibility) affirms that the Godparent is a practicing Catholic. Please have the letter (form or certificate) sent directly to the church office prior to the Baptism. If both Godparents are Catholic, then both are required to obtain the Sponsor Letter.

A baptized non-Catholic who is invited to participate in the celebration of a Baptism serves as a Christian Witness. While not needing a Sponsor Letter, a Christian Witness is a baptized Christian and follower of Jesus Christ.

4. The Sacrament of Baptism welcomes the newly baptized into the faith life of the Church. Baptism is a communal celebration and brings together a group of children who are to receive this Sacrament. Once you have completed the Baptismal Preparation Class you may call the church office to schedule a date.

If something arises that causes you to change the date of the Baptism, please notify the parish office as soon as possible.

If a Godparent/Christian Witness is unable to attend the Baptism in person please select someone to stand-in. This is called a proxy. If you have a proxy the following is required:

a letter from the Godparent/Christian Witness identifying the person to stand-in for him or her

the Catholic Godparent, though they are having someone stand-in for them, must still obtain a Sponsor Letter from their own parish

5. A Catholic Godparent:

is at least 16 years old
has received the Sacraments of Initiation in the Catholic Church (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation)
if married, has a marriage that is recognized by the Catholic Church
regularly participates in Sunday Mass and strives to live a life in harmony with the Church
supports the person to be baptized by prayer and by Christian example in their daily life

The parish office has a Godparent/Sponsor Form that a Godparent may take to their own parish church and have it signed and stamped with the church seal. A Sponsor Letter (form or certificate) issued directly by the Godparent’s church may also be used.

Many families ask if a donation is to be given to the priest or deacon who celebrates the Baptism. A donation is appreciated and may be given directly to the priest or deacon. A typical donation is $25.

If you would like to schedule the Baptism of your child, or have questions, please call Nicole Alvarez in the church office—274-6520 ext. 315.

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