Sacrament of Baptism

The parish requires sacramental preparations including initial interview with the parents of the candidate or the candidate himself/herself in cases of adult baptism, baptismal preparation class (Pre-Jordan Seminar) for parents and godparents on Sundays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Non-parishioners of St. Alphonsus are to present a permission letter from their parish priest.

Requirements

1. Orientation with priest. Both parents are required to attend. You must confirm your slot three (3) days before your audience with our Priest.
2. Original & photo copy of BIRTH CERTIFICATE to ascertain the correct name of child
3. Original & photo copy of Parent’s MARRIAGE CONTRACT to ascertain parent’s name
4. Canon Law (837) only allows a recording of 1 pair of GODPARENTS or Main Sponsors in the Book of Baptism. Others will be regarded as secondary SPONSORS. Using the CHURCH FORM, please submit their complete names to the office.
5. See REQUIREMENTS in choosing GODPARENTS (2nd Parents) for your child (Letter C)
6. Both PARENTS (with their child if 7 years old & above) must attend the Baptismal Seminar done every Saturday (2:00pm to 4:00pm). Inform our office if parents recently underwent catechism classes from previous baptismal preparations as they will just be refreshed during the Orientation/Inquiry stage.
7. While the Church provides a SPECIAL BAPTISMAL CANDLE for the parents, the parents of the child must provide candles (with drip guard please) for the Godparents and sponsors.
8. If you’re living outside the Parish of St. Alphonsus, kindly ask permission letter from your designated Parish Priest allowing your child to be baptized here in our parish.
9. Audience with the Priest is required before scheduling your preferred date of baptism.

Schedule

Saturdays:

• 9:00 a.m.
• 9:45 a.m.
• 10:30 a.m.
• 11:15am

Sundays:

• 2:00 p.m.
• 2:30 p.m.
• 3:00 p.m.
• 3:30 p.m.

Requirements for Godparents, Sponsors, Witness

The ancient Church custom shows the need for Godparents when preparing the child for baptism and afterwards to help the baptized profess their faith and show how they should persevere. (1983 Code of Canon Law, Fr. Excelso Garcia, OP, Chap. 4 #411)

Godparents have the responsibility for the child’s Christian upbringing, to be the guarantor/guardian of their faith and to represent the “Community of Faith” in showing how to practice the Gospel in their lives as Christian witnesses. (1967 Directory on Ecumenism)

Designation of Godparent

1. Godparents are designated by the person to be baptized or by the parents/guardian.
2. The Parish Priest can also designate someone fit (Canon 847.1).

Qualifications to be a Godparent

1. The Godparent/s must have the ability and intention to carry out their duty of supporting their Godchild.
2. Must be 16 yrs. old & above unless there is a just cause (Canon 874.2).
3. Must be Catholic, must have received the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Eucharist. A Non-Catholic CANNOT BE A GODPARENT but can only serve as a WITNESS (Canon 874.2).
4. Not bound by any imposed or declared canonical penalty (Canon 874.1.4).
5. Is not the Father or Mother of the one to be baptized (Canon 874.5).

BAPTISMS VALIDLY ACCEPTED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

The following churches in the Philippines administer Valid Baptism:

Based on: RCAM Circular No. 98-11, 2/2/1998

• LUTHERAN CHURCH IN THE PHILS. (LCP)
• PHILIPPINE EPISCOPAL CHURCH (PEC)
• UNITED CHURCH OF CHIRST IN THE PHILS. (UCCP)
• IGLSESIA EVANGELICA METODISTA ENLAS ISLAS FILIPINAS (IEMELIF)
• UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN THE PHILS (UMCP)
• CONVENTION OF PHILIPPINE BAPTIST CHURCHES (CPBC)
• PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
• 7TH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
• The Philippine Independent Church (PIC) has been recognized by the courts in 1955 as the official “Aglipayan” Church among 14 other churches. If baptism was conferred after 1960 by a minister trained at the St. Andrew’s Seminary (Episcopalian), their use of the Trinitarian Formula makes their baptism VALID.