Baptism Registration - St. John Chrysostom Melkite Catholic Church

Please read the instructions and complete the form below:

Godparents – Only one Godparent is required, two at most. At least one of the Godparents must be Catholic, Baptized, received Confirmation and Eucharist and should be a member of a parish and actively participating.
1. If a Godparent is married, they must have been married in a Catholic church or had their marriage blessed by the Church. Non-Catholic Godparent will be recorded as a witness along with the Catholic Godparent.
2. Letter of Good Standing is required from home parish of each Godparent. Please attach copies on this form.
3. Proxy (Stand-in) when a Godparent is not available is possible
Birth and Baptismal certificates of parents. Originals will need to be presented at some point to the church office. Please attach copies on this form.
A date/time for a one-hour baptismal preparation meeting for the parents and godparents (only) with the Pastor before a final baptism date can be confirmed.

Baptism FAQs

Baptisms occur on Sundays and certain feast days immediately before Divine Liturgy

I would like to schedule a baptism. What should I do? Contact the parish secretary to RSVP for pre-baptismal catechesis and set a date for the baptism.

Does my child have to be named after a saint? If your child is not already named after a saint, you will need to choose one before the baptism.

What are the requirements for Godparents (sponsors)? There must be at least one sponsor, who must be the same sex as the child to be baptized. The sponsor(s) must be chrismated (confirmed) and present a current Letter of Good Standing from his/her current parish.

What should we expect during the baptismal ceremony? A baptism is public worship and takes place on Sunday morning before Divine Liturgy. Baptism is by immersion and is followed immediately by Chrismation (Confirmation). After the Chrismation, Father will direct you to change the newly baptized into his/her baptismal gown. Once the baby has been changed, please bring the baby back to the baptistery for the procession into church. During Divine Liturgy, the newly baptized will be the first among the Faithful to receive Holy Communion.

What do Godparents/Sponsors do during the baptism? If a baby, the Godparents/Sponsor should hold the baby during the baptism, answer the questions pertaining to the rejection of Satan and the uniting

to Christ and carry the baptismal candles during the procession into the church. The Godparents/Sponsors also have the honor to present the baby for Holy Communion.

What do I need to bring with me on the day of the baptism? There are several items that you should bring to church on the day of baptism:

Diaper.
A blanket to keep the baby warm until the baptism.
The baptismal garment (to be worn after the baptism).
A baptismal cross (to be worn after the baptism).
A white towel for the Godparent/Sponsor to receive the Newly Illumined (Newly Baptized).
Two baptismal candles (one for each Godparent/Sponsor). Alternatively, you may use two tapers supplied by the church.

What should an older child or adult wear for baptism? – An older child or adult should wear a modest, one-piece bathing suit covered by a robe until the moment of baptism. No jewelry should be worn before or during the baptism. After the baptism, the only piece of jewelry worn should be the baptismal cross that has been blessed in the baptismal water. It is permissible to leave wedding rings on.

How should the baby be dressed? The baby should not wear the baptismal garments to church. The child should be dressed in the baptismal garments after the baptism.

Where should we go when we come to church? When you arrive at church, go directly to the baptistery so that the clergy will know that you have arrived.

What time should we arrive for the baptism? Baptisms are always scheduled before Divine Liturgy. For a Sunday baptism, please arrive no later 9:30 a.m. For baptisms taking place before an evening Divine Liturgy, please arrive no later than 6:30 PM.

Who can come to a baptism? Can the baptism be private? Baptisms are public worship; therefore, anyone can attend a baptism. We do not have private baptisms. Post-baptismal celebrations, however, are private affairs.

What is the customary stipend for a baptism? Make an offering in so far as you are financially able. You may request an envelope from the parish secretary.

How do I obtain a baptismal certificate? An initial baptismal certificate will be mailed to the address that you provided on the Baptism Register Form as soon as possible after the baptism. Additional baptismal certificates can be obtained by contacting the parish secretary. If you need a certificate for a specific purpose, please contact the secretary ahead of time.

How should the child approach for Holy Communion? For babies, the Godparent/Sponsor should carry the child in the right arm so that the child is on the right side. This is to facilitate Father giving Holy Communion with a spoon. Whether the newly illumined is a child or adult, the newly illumined should receive Communion immediately after the clergy and acolytes.

Are there any periods in the liturgical year during which baptisms do not occur? Yes. We do not baptize during Great Lent or on any feast day of the Lord. We also customarily avoid fast days.

Can we take pictures during the baptism? Yes, provided that the photographer does not get in the way of the priest and deacon or disrupt the prayers. Posed pictures may be taken after Divine Liturgy only. Please turn off cell phones before the baptism begins.

How are adult baptisms different from infant baptisms? Babies are baptized in the nude while adults and children who have reached a maturity level that modesty becomes a concern are baptized in a modest bathing suit. Also, for adults or older teens, there is a curtain that will be closed at the time of baptism. Only the clergy, parents, and Godparents/Sponsors will be permitted behind the curtain when closed.

Requirements Prior to Confirmation of Baptism Date

Letter of Good Standing for Godparent(s).
I acknowledge the Godparent requirements

Baptismal/Birth certificates of parents required.
I acknowledge this requirement

One-hour baptismal preparation meeting required.
I acknowledge this requirement

Child's Information

Name of child:
Baptismal name (if given):
Date of birth: (Hint: Use date picker to the right -->)
Place of birth (hospital):
Address of hospital:

Father's Information

Father's name:

Father's Rite of baptism:

Father's cell phone:
Father's email:

Mother's Information

Mother's name (with maiden name):

Mother's Rite of baptism:

Mother's cell phone:
Mother's email:

Parents' Marriage Information

Church where parents married:
Address:
Phone:
Wedding presided by:
Date:

Parent Home Address

Street:
City & State:
Zip Code:
Home phone:

Godfather Information

Godfather's name:

Rite of baptism:

Home parish name, address & phone:
Godfather's cell phone:
Godfather's email:

Godmother Information

Godmother's name:

Rite of baptism:

Home parish name, address & phone:
Godmother's cell phone:
Godmother's email:

Proxy (Stand‑in) Information

Will a proxy be needed? If not, skip this section.
Yes, a proxy is required

Proxy name:

Rite of baptism (optional):

Proxy cell phone:
Proxy email:

Baptism Date and Preparation

Requested date/time of baptism:
Place of baptism (if not at St. John Chrysostom):
Officiating priest (if known):
Other participating clergy:

Baptismal Preparation Meeting Information

Date/Time of preparation:
Place of preparation:
Preparation led by:
Who will read the Epistle?

Reception & Special Requests

Place of reception (optional):
Special requests:

Attach Files

Father's Birth Certificate:
Father's Baptism Certificate:
Mother's Birth Certificate:
Mother's Baptism Certificate:
Godfather Letter of Good Standing:
Godmother Letter of Good Standing:

If files are not attached before submitting, please forward to Contact@stjohnmelkite.org as soon as possible and at least 2 weeks prior to baptism date.