Baptism

Congratulations on taking this first step with your child on a lifelong journey of faith!  Baptism opens the door to all the other Sacraments in the Church, and the means by which we become sons and daughters of God Himself. It brings your child into the faith community, and is also a chance for parents, godparents, and other family members to be solidified in their own faith lies as well. You and the godparents you choose are about to make an impact on the faith of a young life. Your role during your child’s Baptism is one which calls you to make a promise on behalf of that child that you will teach him or her by word and action about God and the catholic faith. Listed below is information that will help you prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism; please read this section in full before beginning the online forms for registration.

1. Baptismal seminars are held once a month; the schedule can be found below and in the registration form. Parents and godparents must attend. If you have attended a baptism seminar at OLOPS or another Catholic church within the last five years, only a letter of attendance of said seminar is required if the church parish is not ours.

2. Baptisms are held the first Sunday of the month during the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Please check with the church office for scheduled dates.

3. As regards being a godparent: 

   • Godparents must be Catholic, at least 16 years of age, and must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion (all of the Sacraments of Initiation).

   • The godparent plays an important role in assisting the parents in raising the child in the Catholic faith. Therefore, the godparent must also be living a life of faith reflecting the function he or she will undertake, and what he or she has promised through their reception of the Sacraments of Initiation. 

   • A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community cannot take on the role as a godparent.

   • Parents and proposed godparents must read the Godparent Eligibility Form thoroughly. The bottom of the form clearly states that there are certain circumstances that disqualify persons from fulfilling the role.

   • Those to be baptized only require a single godparent. Should two be desired, families can choose one male and one female godparent.

4. Parents must complete the Baptism Registration Form below, and provide their child's Birth Certificate to the church office for copying before attending the seminar. 

5. Godparents must reach out to their church parish of Baptism to request a newly printed Baptismal Certificate with Sacramental Notations of Confirmation and complete and send in the Godparent Eligibility Form.

6. A Baptismal stipend of $10.00 or donation is highly encouraged to help defray the cost of formation materials and supplies and should be paid no later than at the time of baptism.

The guidelines for this parish are in consonance with the guidelines set by the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and by the Code of Canon Law. We hope this will help you with any questions you may have about receiving the Sacrament of Baptism. The seminar will help you in understanding the role you and your child’s godparents will have in your child’s faith journey beginning with the Sacrament of Baptism. 

If you are an adult seeking the Sacraments of Initiation, please reach out directly to our OCIA Coordinator at ocia@olopschackbay.org or fill out the interest form here.