Infant Baptism

The information below applies to the baptism of infants and children who have not yet reached the age of seven years old. Adults and children of catechetical age should visit Youth Baptism or Adult Baptism.

As parents and godparents, you have the privilege and responsibility to guide your child or godchild through his or her faith journey. That journey begins in a formal way with baptism.

Common Questions

What are the responsibilities of the godparent?
• Together with the parents, present an infant for baptism
• Help the parents to raise child in the faith and lead a Christian life
• Help the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism

How many godparents to select?
• One godparent is required and must meet the criteria below
• If there are two godparents, they must be one male and one female
• In some cultures it is common practice to have several godparents. If the child is to have more than two, only two are listed on the record and on the baptismal certificate

What are the criteria for eligibility for godparents?
• The godparent must be designated by the parents or other authority to do so
• The godparent must be at least 16 years of age
• The godparent must be a Catholic who has received the sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation
• Must lead a life which will encourage the child to live a Christin life
• Not the parents

May a Christian (who is not Catholic) be a godparent?
• So long as the requirement for one Catholic godparent is met, a baptized non-Catholic may be listed a Christian Witness

As preparation for the celebration of baptism, parents should attend a baptismal preparation class if they have not done so within the last two years. The class can be taken at Holy Trinity or any Catholic church. Godparents are welcome, but not required, to attend. At Holy Trinity, these classes are currently held on a hybrid basis, both in person and via Zoom, once a month (see schedule below) on either Saturday morning or Monday evening.

Celebrating Baptism at Holy Trinity

All baptisms are communal. Baptisms are celebrated with the Christian community and more than one family will participate in the liturgy. Baptisms are celebrated either as a Liturgy of the Word service or during one of a regularly scheduled weekend Masses in the Church.

Baptism in Liturgy of the Word: A Liturgy of the Word service is one during which Mass is not celebrated. These liturgies usually take anywhere between 30-45 minutes on a Saturday morning or a Sunday afternoon as outlined in the schedule below. As many as eight families participate in these liturgies, therefore we ask that in addition to the parents and godparents you include no more than 40 guests.

Baptism during Mass:

Baptisms that take place at one of the Sunday or Vigil Masses throughout the year are celebrated during Mass. Mass usually lasts one hour.

Holy-Trinity-Baptism-Calendar-2023

Please confirm date with the Baptism Coordinator, at baptisms@trinity.org, before informing family and friends.

Point of contact: baptisms@trinity.org

Baptism Preparation Class at Holy Trinity

Baptism preparation classes (which are currently held via Zoom – see schedule below) are required for parents who seek to have their child/ren baptized. Often godparents are also asked to participate in a preparation session, but their attendance is not required. At Holy Trinity, Faith Formation coordinates the classes. Further information below:

Baptism Prep Classes 2022-2023

Register for a Baptism Preparation Class

Point of contact: REadmin@trinity.org