IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH

                It is the responsibility of the community, the Church, and the parish to provide a place for the newly baptized to be formed in the faith and prepared for all the other sacraments to which the baptized have a right. As the first teachers of their children in the ways of faith, it is the responsibility of the parents to actively participate in the Christian Community to which they belong, that is the parish to which they belong, by attending Mass and setting an example of Christian living for their children. It is the responsibility of the godparent or sponsor to assist the newly baptized in their faith formation and to support the parents in their duty as Christian mothers and fathers.

                A candidate for Baptism must have at least one sponsor or godparent. This sponsor or godparent can be male or female. If two godparents are requested, one would be a male and the other female. The purpose of stating a specific number of godparents or sponsors is to avoid the multiplication of sponsors.

                The chosen godparent/sponsor cannot be the mother or father of the one to be baptized. The chosen person must be at least sixteen years old; be a Catholic who has been confirmed; has received the Eucharist; if married be married in the Catholic Church; be a participating member of a parish by attending Mass.

                The one chosen to be a sponsor/godparent must be designated by the parents and approved by the pastor of his or her parish through a letter of recommendation.

                The same qualifications considered for a sponsor/godparent for Baptism are to be followed for one to be a sponsor for Confirmation.

                To be a sponsor for the sacrament of Baptism or Confirmation is one of the privileges members of the Church enjoy. By God’s gift, through water and the Holy Spirit, may God in his goodness continue to pour out his blessings upon all who are baptized and make them faithful members of his holy people.