Download the Baptism Registration Form

Who Is Eligible for Infant Baptism?

Congratulations! God has blessed you with a child, and now you want to present your child for Infant Baptism. Any child, from birth to “catechetical age” [five (5) years old] can be presented by their parents for Infant Baptism. Any child, six (6) years of age and older, should receive religious education, and prepare for their baptism through Christian Initiation of Children (CIC). Please refer to our brochure “Faith Formation for Preschool to High School, ” or call 604-277–1066 and enroll the child into religious education and the CIC.

Celebration of Baptism

Baptism, like the other sacraments, is a public celebration. Ordinarily Catholic parents should celebrate their child’s baptism at Sunday Mass with the assembly. Specific dates and times of Masses have been chosen for the coming year. Baptisms with a Service of the Word are available also on certain Sundays at 2:30 pm for those who cannot have a baptism at a Mass for various reasons.

Baptism Interviews

Baptisms are by appointment only.

Parents should make an appointment with the parish office (604-277-8353) for an interview anytime between pregnancy to one month prior to Baptism. Dates and times will be discussed during the interview.

An interview is required, especially with first time parents, to assure that at least one parent gives consent to the Baptism and that there is a well-founded hope that the child will be raised Catholic (canon law c. 851). If such a hope is truly lacking, the baptism is to be deferred to a later time when a well-founded hope is there (Baptisms are not refused.)

Only the parent(s) or legal guardian of the child can request or give consent to Baptism and will be interviewed. All other parties (grandparents, relatives, nannies, babysitters, etc. . . .) must abide by the wishes of the parents.

For parents who are having their first child baptized, the Baptism registration form, parish registration, and the interview should be completed before the baptism preparation sessions they plan to attend.

Baptism Preparation (For First Child Only)

Our two-evening preparation sessions are a special time enabling parents to take a more “active, conscious, and devout” part in the celebration of Baptism of their child. Here at St. Joseph the Worker, parents who are asking for Baptism for their first child are expected to participate in the process before the baptism of their first child. Sponsors (godparents) may attend baptism preparation also, but first-time parents must attend baptism preparation in order to have their first child baptized.

Sponsors

According to (canon law 872-874), a person being baptized is to be assigned a sponsor. For an adult Baptism, the sponsor’s role is to assist the person in Christian Initiation. For an infant Baptism, the role is together with the parents to present the child for Baptism, to help the child live a Christian life befitting the baptized and faithfully to fulfill the duties inherent in Baptism.

One sponsor, male or female, is sufficient; but there may be two, one of each sex. (Any additional persons would be witnesses). A sponsor must be not less than sixteen years of age, a Catholic who has been Confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken.

Baptism Offering

The voluntary offering, as suggested by the Chancery Office, for Baptism is $50 dollars.

Baptisms Outside the Parish

For those living in St. Joseph the Worker who want their child baptized outside the parish:

1) Fill out a registration form.  2) Complete the interview and baptism preparation sessions. 3) Request a letter (signed by the pastor with the parish seal) giving permission to baptize the child in another parish.

Policy for Parents Living Outside the Parish

1. For those living outside the parish boundaries who regularly attend St. Joseph the Worker:
   The parish boundaries of St. Joseph the Worker are Blundell Road and Gilbert Road. Anyone living in Richmond north of Blundell Rd, or east of Gilbert Rd. should have their child baptized in that parish in which they live in. But when the parent(s) of an infant have regularly attended St. Joseph’s other than their proper church a just cause may be presumed to exist for the baptism to take place here. (Church law, canon 857.2). The policy of St. Joseph the Worker is that it is therefore fully required for those who live outside the parish boundaries to be registered with this parish in order to have the child baptized in this parish.
2. For all other parents from other parishes:
   All other parents living outside of this parish boundaries and relatives for parents visiting from out of town can pick up baptism registration forms. But these parents should be interviewed and/or instructed by their proper pastor of the parish they live in. Only by a letter of permission signed by their proper pastor with their parish seal will be accepted as parental consent for baptism at St. Joseph the Worker.

Baptism Dates and Times

Infant baptisms are celebrated on one Sunday a month, generally the Sunday following the two sessions of baptism preparation. Other special days are set aside for Baptism. Easter is the main season for Baptisms. Baptisms are celebrated on all seven (7) Sundays of Easter. Also Baptism is celebrated on Epiphany Sunday, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Pentecost Sunday and the Feast of Christ the King.

Infant baptisms are not celebrated on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the Sunday closest to Christmas Day, because of the many special events that occur at this time. However, some days within the Christmas season are available.

Times of Sunday Masses vary. The Saturday Evening Mass at 6:30 p.m. is available. Saturday mornings and afternoons may be unavailable due to Weddings and Religious Ed activities in the church.

If an infant is in immediate danger of death, the baby is to be baptized without any delay. In this case any person even one who is not baptized can confer baptism, provided they have “the intention of doing what the Church does, by saying,”I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” while pouring water over the infant’s head.