Thank you for asking for information about reception of the sacrament of Baptism for your child here at St. Joseph Church. We welcome your inquiry.

The following guidelines are provided for your information:

•Getting Started: Please contact the Office of Religious Education, 301-937-7183 (voicemail option 7) to register for the Baptismal Preparation class (for the parents and godparents) and the to schedule the date of the Baptism of your child. The Office of Religious Education is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9am to 3pm, and we are happy to answer any questions.

• Parish Registration: You (the parents) must have been registered in the parish for at least 6 months prior to the Baptism. Registration forms are available in the bulletin rack in the church foyer.

• Baptism Preparation Class: Pre-Baptism preparation class for parents and godparents are held in the Church at 10:00 am on the first Saturday of each month. You (the parents) must complete the Official Data form and bring it with you to the class. You may complete the form below, or pick up a copy from the bulletin rack in the Church foyer. ( Attendance at such a class in another parish is acceptable if distance/travel constraints make it necessary. That other parish provides a statement of attendance.)

•Baptism: Baptisms are celebrated after the 12:00 Mass on the fourth Sunday of the month, and also during Mass on one of the Sundays during Eastertide season. (The Catechism of the Catholic Church encourages “Baptism shortly after birth (#1250). The Archdiocesan Sacramental Norms provide “…the baptism of infants is to take place within the first few weeks after birth.” (page 12).

• Choice of godparent(s): Customarily there are two godparents, but choosing to have only one godparent is also acceptable. The prerequisites are that such persons:
1. at least one is Catholic, has been confirmed and is currently receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist;
2. are at least sixteen years of age;
3. lead a life of faith in harmony with the godparent function they are undertaking (are not in irregular marriages) and have the intention
of undertaking this function of godparenting;
4. are not parents of the child.

• Godparent eligibility: The Catholic godparents provide a statement from their parishes attesting to their eligibility to be godparents. If the second godparent is Christian but not Catholic, he or she will be designated as a “Christian Witness to Baptism.”

Official Data for Baptismal Register
Parents: please fill out this section completely ( [Tab] to go the next field )

Full Name of Child
   

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)
   

City and State of Birth
   

Gender (male or female)
   

Registered Parish Household Number (same as your envelope number)
   

Residence (Complete Address)
Street address   Apt#
City   State  Zip Code

Daytime Telephone
   

Evening Telephone
   

e-mail address
   

Father's full name
   
Father's Religion
   

Mother's Full Name (include maiden name)
   
Mother's Religion
   

Godfather's Full Name
   
Godfather's Religion
   

Godfather's proxy (If Godfather will be at the Baptism - enter "none")
   
Religion of Godfather's proxy
   

Godmother's Full Name
   
Godmother's Religion
   

Godmother's proxy (If Godmother will be at the Baptism - enter "none")
   
Religion of Godmother's proxy
   

Were parents married by a priest?
   

Was the child adopted?
   

Was the child privately baptized?
   

Documentary proof of Baptism is required for reception of other Sacraments.

this button will prepare a copy for you to
print and bring to the Baptismal Preparation class,
and also email the results to the Religious Education Office.