Baptism

Congratulations on the birth of your child! Holy Cross is happy to prepare you for your child's baptism. All the information and requirements for baptism are below. You may contact the parish office with questions. The parents of the child to be baptized are to complete the following requirements:

1. Submit a Baptism Request Form online. (see below)
2. Submit a copy of your child's Birth Certificate to the Office in-person or to office@holycrosstn.org.
3. Be Registered Parishioners for 4 months before your child receives baptism. You may register on our website. (see above)
4. Have a Mass Attendance Stamp Card filled out with 12 Sundays stamped/signed. A Stamp Card can be picked up in the Office.
5. Watch the complete Reborn Series on FORMED.org at least 2 weeks before the sacrament.
6. Write a Letter to the Pastor at least 2 weeks before the sacrament expressing your understanding of baptism and why you desire this sacrament for your child. (mailed to or dropped by the Office)
7. Have each godparent submit the Godparent/Sponsor Affirmation of Faith and Morals Form online at least 2 weeks before the sacrament. (see below)

• 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.

NON-PARISHIONERS SEEKING BAPTISM AT HOLY CROSS

• 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 Pastor as part of your Baptism preparation.