Welcome! We, the parish family of St. Francis Xavier, send our best wishes and prayers to you during this exciting time of preparation for your child’s Baptism and we are happy to assist you in preparing for this joyful event.
Your most important preparation is to look at your own faith. Your baby will be born with your features and will pick up your mannerisms. As he or she gets older your child will grow up, too, with your faith. That is why, when you approach the church about having your child baptized, you will be encouraged to think through your own faith and the part it plays in your life. By requesting Baptism, you are saying that you want to share your living Christian faith with your child and to nurture your child within your faith community. This means that you are members of your parish not only in name but in ways that are visible in everyday life and the practice of our faith.
(See "Choosing your God Parent" information below and "Information for the God Parents").
Your most important preparation is to look at your own faith. Your baby will be born with your features and will pick up your mannerisms. As he or she gets older your child will grow up, too, with your faith. That is why, when you approach the church about having your child baptized, you will be encouraged to think through your own faith and the part it plays in your life. By requesting Baptism, you are saying that you want to share your living Christian faith with your child and to nurture your child within your faith community. This means that you are members of your parish not only in name but in ways that are visible in everyday life and the practice of our faith.
(See "Choosing your God Parent" information below and "Information for the God Parents").
BAPTISM WORKSHOP:
Parents (and Godparents), you are required to attend a Baptism Workshop at least one month prior to the date you wish to Baptize your child. In fact, we encourage expecting parents to attend the workshop if possible.
For parents of children under the age of seven, a pre-Baptism session is required,
(children older than 7 require formation - see RCIA)
Cost: $10. per person (check payable to St. Francis Xavier or cash - to be provided the morning of the workshop).
See below information regarding God Parents.
Registration is required (see dates and registration at top of this page).
SCHEDULING YOUR CHILD'S BAPTISM AT ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH:
- After you have completed the baptism workshop....Parents must contact Fr. Benny at 818-504-4400 to schedule a meeting. (Only parents are required to meet with the priest.)
- Complete the "Baptism Interview with Priest" form and submit this form (prior to your meeting) to the parish office located at 3801 Scott Rd., Burbank, CA 91504. You will be provided this form at the baptism workshop. To download the form in advance, please click HERE
2020 Baptism Sunday dates (All Baptisms are held at 1:00pm).
2020 Tentative dates of July 12, Aug. 9
WHEN CHOOSING YOUR CHILD'S GODPARENTS:
Godparents are a very important part of your child’s journey in faith. Choosing godparents is a decision not to be taken lightly and there are some guidelines you must follow set forth by the Church. Below covers the guidelines and answers some of the most frequently asked questions by parents:
- Godparents must not be less than 18 years of age (unless the parish priest considers that there is a just reason for an exception to be made).
- Godparents may not be either the father or mother of the person to be baptized.
- At least one of the Godparents MUST be a baptized, confirmed, and a practicing Catholic.
INFORMATION FOR THE GODPARENTS If you have been chosen to be a Godparent, Congratulations! Being chosen as a Godparent is on honor and says a lot about the parent’s perception of you. The role of being a Godparent is a serious one. The parents are calling you to be something special for their child: to set an example, to help teach their child about the Catholic faith, have a lifelong relationship of prayer, faith sharing and love. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the time, the willingness and the faith to live out this sacred vocation.
Preparation for Godparents: We ask the Godparents to attend the baptism workshop with the child’s parents if possible. If you belong to another parish, you may choose to take the workshop there. Your willingness to prepare for your godchild’s baptism now says a lot about your willingness to be present to your godchild in the future. Please be sure to provide a copy of your Baptism certificate to the parents and to keep the original for your records.
(A portion of the above Godparent information was available through: Catholic Update #C0497 Godparents & Sponsors)