Question 1

Do I have to be a member of Our Lady of the Scapular to have my baby baptized there?

Accepted Answer

The celebration of all our sacraments are community events and our community is our parish where we live. If you are a Catholic parent living within the boundaries of Our Lady of the Scapular, or living outside the parish boundaries but are registered and supporting the parish, you may have your child baptized here. If you live in another part of the diocese or in another city, but would like to have your child baptized here for special reasons, please email the parish office at secretary@scapular.ca (mailto:secretary@scapular.ca?subject=Baptism)

Question 2

When can I have my child baptized?

Accepted Answer

Baptism takes place outside of Mass on the 1st and 3rd Sunday at 12:30 p.m. For serious pastoral reasons, your child could be baptized at another time with the approval of the priest.

Question 3

Are we required to attend meetings or classes?

Accepted Answer

Here at Our Lady of the Scapular, we require that all parents meet with one of the parish priests. During this meeting the date of baptism will be confirmed. We do also require completion of our Baptism Preparation course which is held on the 3rd Thursday of every month.

Question 4

Who can be a Godparent?

Accepted Answer

Every person being baptized, whether a child or an adult, must have a sponsor. The sponsors in Baptism have traditionally been called godparents. The minimum requirement is one sponsor, but usually when infants are baptized, they have two, one of each gender. Canon law permits only one godparent of each gender – a godmother and a godfather.
 
To be a sponsor, you must:

• Be at least 16 years or older
• Have received Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation
• Be an active Catholic and be registered at a Catholic parish
• Not be the parent of the one being baptized
 
If you wish, along with the Catholic Godparent, a baptized Protestant Christian in good standing, can be a Christian Witness.

Question 5

What if I am a single parent?

Accepted Answer

If you are not married (single parent), this situation, by itself, is not a sufficient reason to delay the Baptism of your child.

Question 6

What if we did not marry in the Catholic Church?

Accepted Answer

During your meeting with one of the parish priests, the topic of Convalidation will be discussed. Each parent must make a promise to raise the child according to the faith, a faith that they themselves are practicing. That is difficult to do when the marriage is not a sacramental one.
 
Jesus gave us His Sacraments to confer Grace upon us. It is this Grace that strengthens us to live according to His commandments. And this includes all of His sacraments.
 
We support your decision to commit to each other in a civil marriage and would like to discuss the benefits to you and your relationship of inviting God into your life together by having your marriage convalidated (Sacramentalized by the Church). Every situation is a little different, and you can discuss this with the parish priest.

Pastor: Fr. Paul MacNeil

Infant Baptism