Child Baptism

Congratulations on taking the first step in raising your child in the Catholic faith.

• Before the birth of your child, or as soon as possible after the birth, introduce yourself to Father David Wanish before or after Mass.
• Father David will then direct you to Lisa Meyers (608-868-3335), Liturgy Coordinator, to schedule the baptism. You will be asked for information regarding the child’s birthdate and place of birth, parents’ names, address and phone number. You will also need to provide the names of the Godparents at that time.
• If this is your first child, you will be asked to attend a baptism preparation session. This preparation session is required by the Diocese of Madison. Baptism preparation sessions are scheduled with Lisa, and take place at Church.
• If you are not a member of St. Mary Parish, you will be encouraged to actively join our faith community.
• There is a $25 stipend for the sacrament.

Choosing Godparents

A child may only have one or two godparents (also called sponsors); if two are chosen, they must be male and female.

In order for someone to be eligible as a godparent they must be chosen by the parents, have the ability and the intention to fulfill the role, be at least 16 years of age, and be a confirmed Roman Catholic, who has already received the Holy Eucharist, is leading a life in harmony with the Catholic Faith (including Marriage) and will be a good role model for the one being baptized, and be neither the father nor the mother of the child.

A baptized person who belongs to another Christian community may be admitted only as a “Christian witness” (not a godparent) provided that there is at least one Roman Catholic godparent who fulfills the above criteria. A non-baptized person cannot be a witness (Code of Canon Law, cc. 872-874; Catechism of the Catholic Church 1255).