For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church’s way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God.

Infant Baptism - 6 years and younger:

• Parents must intend to raise the child in the Catholic Faith

• Infants and children who are baptized must have at least one sponsor (Godparent) who is a confirmed, practicing Catholic. If the Godparent is not registered as a member at St. John the Baptist, Plymouth or St. Thomas Aquinas, Elkhart Lake, documentation of eligibility from the Godparent's parish will be requested.  

• Infants should be baptized in the parish where at least one of their parents are registered and attend. If parent(s) are registered at another Catholic parish a letter from the parish pastor indicating good standing and permission to celebrate the baptism may be requested. If parents are not registered at a Catholic parish this is a good time to consider registering as a parishioner.

• Parent having a child baptized for the first time (or if it has been five years or longer) will meet with the pastor for sacramental preparation. If preparation was completed outside of St. John the Baptist or St. Thomas Aquinas documentation may be requested.      

Baptism Request Form    St. John the Baptist Parishioner Registration    Baptism Sponsor Form

ADULT BAPTISM AND CHILDREN 7 YEARS AND OLDER

Children who have reached the age of reason, which is generally by their 7th birthday, can no longer be baptized as infants. These children, since they have the knowledge of right and wrong, must participate in Faith Formation Class to understand what the Church teaches. 

Youth Faith Formation Information

Adults participate in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program designed to welcome new members of the Catholic Church through education, faith sharing, and liturgical rituals.   

OCIA Interest Form    OCIA Information

Frequently Asked Questions:

• How Many Godparents Are Required? 

  Only one Godparent is required. Two Godparents are permitted but if you choose two, they must be of the opposite sex with one serving as the Godmother and one as the Godfather. They do not have to be married to each other. ​

• Do Godparents have to be Catholic?

  Yes. While it is not possible for a non-Catholic to serve as a Godparent, a non-Catholic who is baptized Christian in a protestant denomination may serve as a Christian Witness to the Baptism, but the Godparent(s) to the Baptism must be Catholic and meet the above requirements since a Godparent is above all responsible for the spiritual upbringing of the child. Non-baptized individuals may not serve as Godparents or Christian Witnesses.

• Do Godparents have to be present at the baptism? 

  Godparents are often from out-of-town. If the Godparent is unable to be present on the day of the Baptism, he or she can be represented by proxy. A proxy can be a family member, friend, or parishioner who will stand in for the official Godparent on the day of the Baptism; however, even in such cases, the actual Godparents must still meet the above requirements.