Preparation

We require that both parents prepare for their child’s reception of the Sacrament of Baptism by taking our Baptism Retreat. The retreat can be taken on-line or in-person with one of our priests. We also require the child’s godparent(s) to take the baptism retreat. If both parents previously completed this retreat within the last three years, a simple meeting with a priest to review the Baptism Liturgy will suffice.

Godparents

A child may have up to two godparents. At least one of the godparents must fulfill the criteria of a “Sponsor,” as listed below.  The other godparent may be either a co-sponsor (if they too fulfill the Sponsor requirements) or a “Christian Witness.”  A godparent acting as a Christian Witness must be Christian and over the age of 16. If there are two godparents, they must be of opposite biological sex.

The God Mother
is at least 16 years of age
is Baptized and Confirmed Catholic
is practicing and regularly receives the Eucharist
is not the parent of the person being Baptized
is not married; or her marriage was witnessed or convalidated in the Catholic Church
is a practicing Christian and 16 years old, serving as a Christian Witness
At least one godparent must meet the first 5 requirements listed above. If the God Mother does not meet these requirements she may serve as a Christian Witness and will be listed on the baptismal certificate.

If a godparent cannot physically be present at the Baptism, another suitable person must be designated to serve as a proxy. The Church requires no specific stipulations regarding who may serve as a proxy. However, if two people have been designated to serve as proxy, they must be of opposite biological sex. The proxy name/s will be notated in the parish baptismal registry but is/are not recorded on the Baptismal Certificate; only the name/s of the parents and  godparent/s appear on the baptismal certificate.

Documentation

Every godparent who will serve as a Catholic Sponsor must submit a Sponsor/Godparent Attestation form signed by their Catholic parish priest or pastor (with parish seal affixed) to verify they meet the requirements of Sponsorship in the Catholic Church. The form may be downloaded at snswparish.org/records, and once complete, uploaded at the same link or returned to the parish office.

You will need to provide a copy of the child's birth certificate before the baptism may be performed and recorded accurately. Please upload a copy at snswparish.org/records or send to the parish office address: St. Nicholas & St. William Catholic Parish, 473 Lincoln Avenue, Los Altos, CA 94022;  Attn: Lupe Butterbrodt.

If you as parents are not members of a parish in the Diocese of San Jose, Canon law requires that you have the Pastor of your current parish mail a letter of permission to baptize the child at this parish.

Scheduling

Church Law states “Although baptism can be celebrated on any day, it is nevertheless recommended that it be celebrated ordinarily on Sunday or, if possible, at the Easter Vigil.” (Can. 856 )  You may choose to have your child baptized during a Sunday Mass: 8:00 AM, 10:00AM, and 12:00PM at St. Nicholas Church; or 9:00AM, 11:00AM (livestream), and 5:00PM at St. William Church. Another option is a private baptism which may be scheduled on a Saturday morning at St. Nicholas Church at either 10:00AM or 11:00AM.

Baptisms are usually not performed during Lent except for a serious reason. Any request to have a baptism performed within Lent must be discussed and approved by our Pastor. A child in danger of death, is to be baptized without delay. 

You may request a desired date and time when you register for Baptism Preparation, but we will not confirm the date and time until all documentation (e.g., birth certificate, sponsor attestation/s) have been provided and both parents have completed the Baptism Retreat.


High schoolers who are not baptized may join our Adult RCIA program.