If you are interested in baptizing your child at St. John Neumann, please complete the following Baptism Inquiry Form and read through the process below. Our parish community rejoices with you at the birth of your child and looks forward to their baptism day when your child will be welcomed into the Catholic Church, cleansed from sin and granted new birth in the Holy Spirit.

If you are an adult seeking to be baptized in the Catholic faith, please click the link below regarding OCI (The Order of Christian Initiation).

1. Submit the Baptism Inquiry Form
2. Take a Baptism Preparation Class
3. The Baptism Preparation Class should be attended by both parents. This requirement is waived for parents who have already attended this class.
4. Confirm Desired Baptism Date with Parish Staff
5. Baptism of infants and young children typically takes places on the second Sunday of the month, following the 11:00 am Mass. John Pratt (ext. 113) will connect with you to confirm your child’s baptism date.

4. Review Godparent Requirements

Godparents assist Catholic parents in their duty to raise the baptized child in the practice of the faith.

Godparents are chosen to support the newly baptized in growing in their love of God and neighbor so as to keep alive the gift of faith bestowed at Baptism. Please also be mindful of the following requirements for godparents.

Were you asked to be a godparent at another parish?

Scroll past the Baptism Inquiry Form for more information.

1. The godparent must be a practicing Catholic who is at least 16 years of age (Canon 874) and has received both the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
2. The godparent must live an active faith life to help the baptized person lead a Catholic Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it (Canon 872).
3. The godparent cannot be the father or mother of the one to be baptized (Canon 874).
4. There can be a godfather, a godmother or one of each (Canon 873).
5. A baptized non-Catholic may serve as a Christian Witness to the baptism (Canon 874), provided that there is also at least one Catholic godparent.
6. If the godparent is not a registered parishioner at St. John Neumann, they must provide a letter from their home parish confirming their active participation in the Catholic faith.
7. If the Godparent is married, they must have been married in the Catholic Church by a priest. (This requirement does not have to be met for the non-Catholic Christian witness in #5 above.)

During the baptismal ceremony, the presiding priest/deacon will ask the parents:

“In asking for Baptism for your children, you are undertaking the responsibility of raising them in the faith, so that, keeping God’s commandments, they may love the Lord and their neighbor as Christ has taught us. Do you understand this responsibility?”

Our parish commits to supporting parents in this responsibility both through the baptism preparation process as well as through continual support for families through our Family of Faith formation resources and support.

If you are a registered parishioner at St. John Neumann, but wish to be a godparent for a baptism taking place at another parish, please fill out the form bellow and send it to the parish office.

Email:

lmcdonough@stjohnsunbury.org

Mail:

St. John Neumann Catholic Church

9633 East State Route 37

Sunbury, OH 43074

We will then send it to the parish where the baptism will take place.

Adult baptism follows the ancient order of the catechumenate. This rite, also referred to as OCI, or Order of Christian Initiation, offers a person a period of months to inquire and receive information about the Christian life, while regularly attending community gatherings with others who are likewise interested in joining the Catholic Church. In this community environment, the inquirer is given opportunities to learn the doctrine and faith life of the Church, the meaning of and exercises in prayer, the moral and social positions of Catholics, and study scripture and the sacramental and historical life of the Roman Catholic tradition. Generally, the one who seeks baptism is brought into full membership in the Church at the Easter Vigil, with the local community gathered in prayer and praise. Contact:  Paul Stokell, Adult Faith Formation Director and Christian Initiation.