Baptism

 Godparents (Sponsors) 

• The purpose of the godparents (sponsors) is to be Christian witnesses. They must have been confirmed, be receiving the Eucharist, and leading the life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on, not bound by any canonical penalty. A godparent (sponsor) must be a confirmed, practicing Catholic in good standing and living in accord with the marriage laws of the Church. (Read about Marriage Situations here.) One or two godparents meeting these qualifications should be assigned by the parents.
• If the godparent is not a Holy Cross parishioner, it is necessary to provide a letter of godparent suitability from the godparent's parish.
• A baptized non-Catholic may participate as a witness but not as a sponsor.
• If the godparents cannot be present at the Baptism, someone else may stand in for them as proxy. 
• Godparents should prepare by watching the "Reborn" video series noted above.

Canon Law Regarding Sponsors

• Can. 872 Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.
• Can. 873 There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.
• Can. 874 §1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:

1/ be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;

2/ have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;

3/ be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;

4/ not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;

5/ not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.

§2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.

A child can be baptized without a godparent if necessary. 

Non-Parishioners Seeking Baptism at Holy Cross

• Holy Cross attendees who are not yet registered parishioners should become registered members prior to scheduling the Baptism of their child. 
• Parents who are seeking Baptism for their child at Holy Cross but are members of another parish should obtain a letter from their pastor, permitting the Baptism to be held at here, and will need to either complete Baptism preparation in their parish or watch the Reborn videos as noted below. 

Parents and Marriage

 If parents are living in an irregular marriage situation, their child can still be baptized. 

When presenting their child for the Sacrament of Baptism, parents should understand the marriage laws of the Church. Read Fr. Carter's explanation on Marriage Situations here. Catholics in an irregular marriage and obstinately persisting in manifest grave sin (cohabiting, fornicating) would be bound by Canon 915 or 916 which prohibits reception of Holy Communion:

• Can. 915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.
• Can. 916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible.

It is still possible to baptize the child if they understand the irregularities of their situation and take steps to either regularize it (such as promising to live as brother and sister, petitioning for a declaration of nullity, or marrying if they are free to) or to live in accord with it (i.e., not receive Holy Communion). In the case of an irregular situation, it will be necessary to meet with the priest as part of your Baptism preparation, and this will be scheduled through the Parish Secretary. 

1. Parents of children to be baptized need to be registered parishioners for 4 months before the child receives baptism.
2. The parents need to have a Stamp Card filled out with 12 Sundays stamped (or signed by other priests from other parishes) before the baptism is scheduled.

Note: The Stamp Card process can be waived at the discretion of the Pastor. 

3. Complete watching Reborn Series on FORMED.org  at least 2 weeks before the sacrament.

Spanish-speaking parents, please contact Alejandro Mondragon (865-227-9380) to prepare for the Baptism of your child.

Padres hispanos, comuníquense con Alejandro Mondragon (865-227-9380)  para prepararse para el bautismo de su hijo.

Required Forms:

1. Baptism Request Form (below)

2. Godparent/Sponsor Affirmation of Faith and Morals filled out by each godparent and returned 1 month before the baptism (below)

3. Child's Birth Certificate

4. Write a Letter to the Pastor expressing your understanding of baptism, and why you desire to receive the sacrament, for yourself or your child. It must be postmarked at least 2 weeks before the sacrament. 

Form Submission Options:

1. Download the fillable forms below, fill out and sign electronically, and email them to office@holycrosscatholicchurchtn.org

2. Print the forms below, fill them out, and mail them to the parish office

3. Pick up a physical copy in the parish office and turn it in during office hours

Letters to the Pastor may be submitted by any of the three options above or mailed to:

Father Michael Hendershott

Holy Cross Catholic Church

144 Wears Valley Road, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863