Congratulations! God has blessed you with a child. Along with the joy that you have at this moment, there is also a great responsibility for this new life. As Catholic Christian parents, it is your duty to be the first teachers of the faith to your children.
The life of faith begins with the first Sacrament, Baptism. Baptism bring us into a relationship with God and His Holy Church. As the Cathechism of the Catholic Church states: “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: ‘Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.'”
The Church asks that children be baptized soon after birth. Those wishing Baptism for their child are asked to contact Deacon Earl to schedule an appointment to begin the process. Deacon Earl can be reached at the parish office (201-998-3314). Please note that Deacon Earl is not in the office every day so please leave a mesasge.
Parents may also fill out the online Baptism Form and submit it. Deacon Earl will contact you when he has received the form.
Parents and godparents will attend a special catechetical session before the baptism. Godparents must meet all of the Church’s eligibility requirements:
a) be a Roman Catholic who practices his or her faith often;
b) have received the Catholic Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation;
c) have reached sixteen (16) years of age;
d) if married, the godparents must have been married in the Catholic Church, witnessed by a priest or a deacon;
e) not be the parents of the child to be baptized.
Church law requires that one godparent be chosen; if two godparents are chosen, one must be male and one must be female.
No exceptions can be made regarding a potential godparent's lack of Confirmation or Church wedding. These are required because the godparent is expected to be a role model in living the Catholic faith for the child.
Potential godparents who live outside the boundaries of Saint Stephen's parish but claim Saint Stephen's as their affiliated parish must be attending Mass regularly and contributing to the financial well-being of the parish.
PLEASE NOTE: due to the restrictions associated with COVID-19, some of the directives below may be adjusted out of concern for the health and safety of all involved.
Baptisms at Saint Stephen's are usually held on Sunday afternoons. Families with special needs or requests are asked to mention these to Deacon Earl during the initial interview.
Parents and godparents are expected to attend an instructional session prior to the scheduled date of Baptism. (If another child had been baptized at Saint Stephen's within five (5) years, this requirement is waived for the parents.
Godparents who live out of state or have a conflict with the scheduled dates are required to make other arrangements for instruction and present proof of attendance.
The required paperwork needed to be filled out for a Baptism that is listed above can be submitted electronically via email or dropped off at the rectory.
For those who choose to submit the document(s) via email, be sure to print out the form and scan before emailing. Please include the family name followed by Baptism Forms in the "Subject" line of your email.
Please send the email to both thechurchofsaintstephen@gmail.com and deaconearlwhite@gmail.com.
Thank you for your cooperation.