Baptisms

We encourage all families seeking to baptize their child at St. Charles to become registered and active St. Charles parishioners. We are excited to help you raise your child in the faith. St. Charles is a family friendly parish ready to welcome you to attend our daily and weekend Masses, join small groups, engage with men’s and women’s ministries, experience community in fellowship, and receive the regular sacraments.

For those that are not yet parishioners: sign up on our St. Charles website by clicking “Register” at the top of our main page, or visit the link provided here. If your family has a special connection with St. Charles, for example, you or your spouse attended St. Charles School, or your parents or grandparents are active parishioners, please let us know. If you are not looking to become active parishioners, or you do not live locally, we encourage you to pursue getting your child baptized at a parish where you intend to be active in your hometown.

Parents select the godparents with careful discernment. The purpose of the godparents is to help you, as the parents, raise your child in the Catholic faith. It is important to note that one male godfather and one female godmother is permitted. We encourage parents to ask close friends or family members that are actively participating Catholics to be the child’s godparents. This allows for seamless support for you and your child. For example, if you cannot take your child to Mass if you’re ill, the Catholic godparent could easily step up to bring your child to Mass.

Please read the Baptisms FAQ Document for a Q&A on topics like how to select a godparent. Once this FAQ is read, please fill out the Baptism Request Form. Next, email a copy of the Godparent Letter of Reference to each godparent for completion.

Note: Each godparent will be asked to bring the Godparent Letter of Reference form to their active parish office for a signature and seal. The form will be returned by that parish via mail to St. Charles, ATTN: Baptism Coordinator.

The next step will be to meet with your assigned Mentor Couple (MC). Your MC are active St. Charles Parishioners who are experienced with our Baptism process. They will share best practices in raising your child in the faith. Your MC couple will reach out to you to schedule a meeting soon, and support you along the way through your journey. Meeting with this MC is required but very informal; it replaces a formal Baptism class. Baptism MC couples are excited to get to know you and your family, and answer any questions you may have in the Baptism process. We find the Holy Spirit guides these couple pairings. We cannot wait to see the fruits of your meeting!

Once all above requirements are met, we can schedule your child's rehearsal date and Baptism date on a first come, first served basis.

To recap, the requirements include:

• St. Charles parishioner confirmation
• Reviewing the Baptism FAQ document
• Submitting the Baptism Request Form
• Meeting with a Mentor Couple
• Signed and sealed Godparent Letter of Reference form(s)

Note: Scheduling is subject to the priest availability and parish calendar of events.

The required Baptism rehearsal is held in the church on Saturday, the day before the Baptism led by our Director of Liturgy. Parents and Godparents are required to be present. The rehearsal ensures both St. Charles and the family’s confidence the next day with attire, logistics of the church, parent and godparent roles during the Mass or service, etc.

The day of the Baptism please arrive 30 minutes prior to change your child into their white garment, and check-in with the weekend liturgist. Baptisms within the Mass will be apart of the procession. Parents and godparents will meet the narthex 15 minutes prior to Mass start to pray and line-up with our priest, altar servers, and lector. For Baptism outside the Mass, parents and godparents also arrive 30 minutes prior. The Baptism will begin with all participants: parents, godparents, and extended family in the narthex. 

Baptizing your child in the Catholic faith is only the beginning for the pure joy that you and your family will experience as active members of our community. Visit the list of resources below for ways to get plugged into faith, fellowship, and ministry opportunities. Please let us know if you have any questions. The best way to contact us regarding your child’s Baptism is by replying to this email address. We will be praying for you!