A new creature
“Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte ‘a new creature,’ an adopted son of God, who has become a ‘partaker of the divine nature,’ member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit. The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1265-1266
Parents are asked to call the office and schedule a meeting with the pastor before they attend class. For the baptism of an infant, it is necessary that there be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic faith. If such a hope is altogether lacking, the baptism should wait.
Qualifications and role of a Catholic godparent (also known as a sponsor)
1. Only one Godfather or one Godmother or one of each (Canon 873).
2. To help the baptized person to lead a Catholic Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it (Canon 872).
- A mature Catholic who will establish a lifelong faith relationship and be willing to walk with the child in their faith journey.
- A Catholic role model for the child.
3. A Catholic who is at least 16 years old (Canon 874, §1, 2°) and has received already the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on (Canon 874, §1, 3°).
4. Be a practicing Catholic who attends Mass regularly.
5. Knows, understands and participates in the Catholic Church community.
6. If the Godparent is married, the marriage must be a valid and recognized marriage in the Catholic Church.
7. Cannot be the father or mother of the one to be baptized (Canon 874, §1, 5°).
8. Only with a Catholic Godparent can a baptized, non-Catholic person serve as a Christian witness of the baptism (Canon 874, §2).
- A Catholic who lacks the requirements to be a Godparent or a Catholic who is now practicing a non-Catholic faith cannot serve as a Christian witness.
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