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It is only the parents(s) or legal guardian who can request the baptism of a child under the age of reason.

The person(s) requesting baptism of an infant needs to be an active member of the Church of St. John the Baptist.

Active membership is described as:
    Completion of a Parish census form
Regular attendance at Sunday Worship
Evidence of financial support of the parish

If the person requesting baptism is a member of another parish, he or she will need
a letter attesting to active membership from his or her pastor.

Workshop
Parents who are requesting a baptism are required to attend a workshop.
Please contact the person listed on the front of this brochure to schedule the workshop and Baptismal ceremony.

Sponsors or Godparents and the Faith Community
The Catechism states:
 "For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents help is important. So too
        is the role of Godfather and Godmother, who must be firm believers, able and    
     ready to  help the newly baptized on the road of Christian life. They and the  
   whole church community bear some responsibility for the development and
        safe-guarding of the grace given at Baptism." (1255)

For those reasons at least one sponsor (godparent) will be a practicing, baptized Catholic.

This may be someone from St. John the Baptist, who, like the parents, fulfills the definition of membership registration, regular worship, parish support.

Or this may be someone from another parish who has obtained from his or her pastor a document called a sponsor certificate.
 

Baptisms at Transfiguration Church
takes place during any weekend Liturgy at 9:45 am; or by appointment. 

 
Except for grave and serious reasons, baptisms are not celebrated during Lent.

Since children are born and raised within the context of a particular community, the community, like the parents, looks forward to the healthy birth and joyful baptism of the children of its members.

Stipend for Baptism
Although it is customary to offer a stipend to the person who officiates, it is not required. If the family wishes to extend this gesture of gratitude, it can be made within the context of personal financial ability.

Some remarks about infant baptism from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

           "Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children have the need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God."  (1250)

         "Christian parents will recognize that this practice also accords with their  role as nurturers of the life that God has entrusted to them." (1251)

Baptism is the sacrament of faith. And faith needs the community of believers. Baptisms should be celebrated during the Sunday Liturgy with the community of  believers present, whenever possible.

Baptism is a serious, life-long commitment, passing on the faith from caring and church-going parents to an as yet fully faith-formed child.