Baptism

• Begin by filling out our Inquiry Form

At this time, we are not able to take requests for a specific celebrant. The baptism will be celebrated by the priest or deacon assigned to the Mass. An exception may be made if a family member is a priest, pending approval and availability. Please note that baptisms are often celebrated with multiple families, and a private baptism on your requested date cannot be guaranteed.

• Baptism Class: The Baptism class is for first-time parents or Godparents who need to take a baptism class for another parish.

  • Instructions to access the Baptism Class

  • Questions to be answered and returned to the Parish Office.

• Meeting with Father

  • All first-time parents are asked to come and meet with our pastor to go over the Baptism Class and the Rite of Baptism.

• Not sure who to pick as your child’s Godparents? Check out this guide: Choosing Godparents: A Guide for Parents

• Godparent FAQ’s

• Each Godparent will need the following letter filled out and signed by their pastor:

  • Letter of Good Standing Form

We will make every effort to schedule the baptism on your requested date, as long as all required paperwork and preparation are completed beforehand.

• What to Expect on the Day of Baptism (arrival time, photos, attire, etc.)

• The Rite of Baptism

Baptisms are celebrated:

• After the 5:00pm Saturday Vigil Mass at St. Benedict

• After the 10:30am Sunday Mass at St. Joseph

Yes. We are happy to work with visiting clergy. Priests or deacons from outside the Archdiocese of Kansas City will need to submit a letter of suitability to the chancery. Once approval is received, the parish will confirm the details with you.

The Church encourages parents to have their child baptized within the first few weeks after birth, while also recognizing that family circumstances may require some flexibility. Baptism should not be unnecessarily delayed.

Children under age 7 follow the infant Baptism process.

If your child is age 7 or older, please contact the Parish Office so we can help determine the best next steps.

Baptism is ordinarily celebrated within the parish community where a family worships.

Families living within the boundaries of St. Benedict Parish are welcome to register with us.

Families from outside the parish may be asked to obtain permission from their home parish.

We are happy to help guide you through this process!

Yes, all first-time parents are asked to complete a baptism class available on Formed.org. Please see “Step 2” for further instructions.

We do not require Godparents to take the baptism class.

If you have been asked to be a Godparent and need to take a class, we can issue a certificate for you once you turn in the questions.

No. A Baptism date may be scheduled first to help with family planning and travel. All required paperwork must be submitted before the Baptism can take place so that everything is in good order for the celebration. If documents are missing, the Baptism will be postponed until all documents have been submitted.

When all documents are submitted, your date is considered finalized.

Yes. Because Baptism is a lifelong commitment, the Church asks that at least one parent be a practicing Catholic who intends to raise the child in the Catholic faith. Parents acknowledge their role as the first teachers of their child and commit to fostering a home where faith can grow.

If one parent is a practicing Catholic and the other parent is supportive, the child may be baptized. The Church asks for a shared commitment to raising the child within the Catholic faith.

They represent the larger Catholic community. They, along with the priest and the parents, welcome the child to the community and signify that welcome by marking the child with the sign of the cross. Godparents need to be actively involved in the Catholic Church because they serve as models and guides to the child and the parents.

Whether you select very close friends or family members as godparents for your child, it is a very personal decision. However, the Church does ask that certain requirements be met.

A godparent must:

1. Be at least 16 years old

2. Be a practicing Catholic

3. Have received the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation

4. Not be the child’s parent

5. Be living in a way consistent with the Catholic faith

A letter from the godparent’s parish confirming eligibility is required.

At least one Catholic godparent is required.

If there are two godparents, one must be male and one female.

A baptized Christian from another denomination may serve as a Christian witness. Jews, Muslims, and believers from other world religions may not serve either as godparents or Christian witnesses under normal circumstances, but are always welcome to participate in the celebration.

1. A Christian Witness:

   1. Must be validly baptized

   2. Must practice his/her Christian faith, and

   3. Must not be an apostate (i.e., a baptized Catholic who subsequently left the Catholic Church.

No. There is no cost for celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism.

At this time, we are not able to take requests for a specific celebrant. The baptism will be celebrated by the priest or deacon assigned to the Mass. An exception may be made if a family member is a priest, pending approval and availability. Please note that baptisms are often celebrated with multiple families, and a private baptism on your requested date cannot be guaranteed.