Infant Baptism

1. Parents wishing to have their children baptized at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton must participate in the    following pre-baptismal program prior to having their child baptized:

a) First, parents should schedule and attend a pre-baptismal interview with either a priest or deacon. At this meeting, the entire baptismal program will be explained, information will be recorded along with an opportunity to discuss any other issue parents may have.

b) After meeting with one of the clergy, parents are required to attend a parish baptismal class. These classes are scheduled every month for the parent's convenience. The schedule for the classes will be given to the parents at the pre-baptismal interview. Parents are encouraged to take the program as early as possible beginning in the 5th month of pregnancy. Space for each class is limited; classes will be filled on a first come first serve basis. (If the parents have attended a baptismal class at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton within the last two years, the class requirement may be waived at the discretion of the clergy).

c) After completing the required class work, parents should notify the parish office approximately one week prior to when they want their children baptized.

2. Godparents are invited and encouraged to attend the baptismal classes with the parents. If the godparents are not members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, it is suggested that parents ask the  godparents to participate in a baptismal program in their own parish. As required by Canon Law,  godparents must be Catholic, 16 years of age or older, and have received the three sacraments of  initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist). If they are married, their marriage must be a valid Catholic marriage (witnessed by a Catholic priest or deacon).

Infant baptisms will be celebrated at four times each month. In English at the 5:30 PM Mass on the first Saturday of the month, on the third Sunday of each month at 3:30 PM in the Church and in Spanish at 1:45 PM mass on the fourth Sunday of the month and at 7:00 PM on the the third Saturday evening of the month.