Please contact Deacon Samuel Albarano, Jr. to set up a Baptismal Class for Infant/Child Baptisms.
814-886-5120
For Adult Baptisms, through the Rite of Christian Initiation, please contact the Pastor, Father Matthew Reese to begin a dialogue.
814-886-2504 ext. 101
REQUIREMENTS FOR BEING
A GODPARENT FOR A BAPTISM AND A SPONSOR FOR CONFIRMATION
*Summarized from Canon Law {canons 872-874}
The role of a Godparent/Sponsor is to help the person receiving the sacrament to live the life of the Roman Catholic faith and carry out all of the obligations and duties of the faith therein.
- Therefore, a Godparent/Sponsor must be a Roman Catholic.
- A Godparent/Sponsor cannot be the father or mother of the one receiving the sacrament
- For Godparents: two may be chosen – one male and one female. However, having only one Godparent who meets the criteria would suffice.
- A Godparent/Sponsor must be at least 16 years of age.
- A Godparent/Sponsor must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, 1st Holy Communion, and Confirmation, and must have the ability to present documentation indicating such.
- A Godparent/Sponsor must be a registered, practicing member of the Roman Catholic faith.
- A Godparent/Sponsor must be in good standing with the Roman Catholic Church. This is especially true for one who is married. The marriage must be recognized as valid in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church, and one should have documentation indicating that their marriage is in fact valid.
- One who is to be a Godparent/Sponsor cannot be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared.
- A person who is not a Roman Catholic cannot be a Godparent or a Sponsor. (However, a non-Catholic, baptized Christian may act as a “Christian Witness” ONLY IF another Roman Catholic is chosen as the Godparent/Sponsor.)
**The above required documentation can be summarized in obtaining one document called a “Sponsor Certificate” which may be obtained from the pastor of the parish where the Godparent/Sponsor is registered.
If that parish is Our Lady of the Alleghenies in Lilly, one may contact the pastor to meet with him in person. The documentation requires the signature of the pastor and the signature of the Godparent/Sponsor.