School of Religion - Baptism

Policy and Procedures for Baptism Preparation

Purpose - The purpose of Baptism Preparation is threefold:

1. to aid parent(s) in understanding more fully the nature of the Sacrament of Baptism,
2. to introduce the Rite of Baptism and the significance of its signs and symbols and
3. to assist parents in their role as the primary educators of their children in the faith.

Baptisim Preparation

• Download schedule
• Download Baptism Preparation Information
• Classes are held quarterly: August, November, February & May.
• There is a $15 fee to help defray the cost of the materials
• Parents should attend a Baptism Preparation class no later than one month before the anticipated date of the Baptism.
• Before registering for a Baptism Preparation class, please contact the DRE, Cass Hooker, at (757) 229-3700, ext. #19 or email chooker@bedeva.org.
• We encourage parents to attend a Baptism Preparation class if possible before the birth of your child.
• • Before a date for the Baptism can be scheduled, all necessary information must first be gathered. This includes registering with St. Bede Church and filling out all pertinent information in Baptism Register and as requested by DRE.
• The Role of the Sponsor/Godparent: The sponsor, together with the parents, presents an infant for baptism and also “helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it” (Canon 872).
• Sponsors/Godparents that are not members of St. Bede should contact their parish church and have a letter/form of eligibility sent to St. Bede prior to the baptism
• Who can be Godparents/Sponsors? (Canons 872-874)
  • “There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each” (Canon 873).
  • The sponsor must be
    • a) appointed by the parents and suitable for the role he/she is undertaking;
    • (b) be not less than sixteen years of age;
    • (c) be a Catholic who has received all the Sacraments of Initiation and who lives a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;
    • (d) not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
    • (e) not the father or mother of the one baptized (Canon 874).

Scheduling a Baptism

After attending a Baptism Preparation class, you may schedule the baptism of you child. The Sacrament of Baptism is offered one Saturday each month during the year at 10:00 a.m. and four times per year at a Sunday weekend Mass.

Download schedule

When you have decided on a date, please call the office of the DRE (757-603-6989 ext. 2309 or email chooker@bedeva.org) to verify the availability of the date and to schedule the baptism.  Please contact us before contacting family and friends or making any other arrangements.