The Baptismal Preparation program at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Wakefield, RI consists of a one hour class for a family interested in their child receiving the Sacrament of Baptism.
The Baptismal Preparation class for parents of newborn or older children is held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, in the lower level of the Church. Please enter the Church through the Winter St. door as the other doors may be locked. Walk down the stairs to the lower level and you will see the large main room. The Baptismal Preparation class begins at 7 PM. Parking is in the Church parking lot or on Winter Street.
Families interested in coming to the Baptismal Preparation Class must pre register with the Church office at 401-783-4411.
The Baptismal Preparation Class is taught by Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Clossick and Mr. & Mrs. Buzz Corner. They cover three main issues:
- The importance of Baptism in the Sacramental and spiritual life of your child;
- The Canon Law requirements for having an authorized Catholic sponsor act as Godmother or Godfather,
- The practical questions concerning the conduct of the Baptismal Rite such as: what to expect during the actual Rite of Baptism, questions asked of the parent(s) and Godparent(s), where the mother and father sit, how many reserved pews assigned to each family, what kind of photography is allowed, time the service begins and concludes, type of outfit the child should wear, etc.
Please also refer to the Roman Catholic Church’s Canon Law Sponsor Requirements below for Baptism, Confirmation, and to act as a witness to a Catholic marriage.
An adult interested in the Sacrament of Baptism would enroll into the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program that begins in September of each year and concludes on Holy Saturday night at the Easter Vigil Mass (please see the page on this web site, under the Adult Education banner, dedicated to the RCIA program).
Roman Catholic Canon Law :
Key Qualifications and Sponsor Requirements for Catholics – for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and to act as witnesses to the Sacrament of Marriage
- The Catholic must be at least 16 years of age.
- The Catholic must have received the three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation.
- The Catholic must be a member of a Catholic Parish and be “in good standing.” This means that the Catholic is attend- ing Mass every week, is in reception of the Sacraments, and is not living with someone outside of marriage.
- The Catholic, if married, must have been married within the Catholic Church by a deacon, priest, or bishop.
- The Catholic may act as a sponsor, if they are in the process of an annulment of a marriage. A letter from their pastor would verify this action.
- It is acceptable if the Catholic has been divorced and has received an annulment for that marriage, but they must be “in good standing.” A letter from their pastor would verify this action.
- It is acceptable if the Catholic is divorced, without receiving an annulment, IF they are not remarried or living with someone outside of marriage, and are “in good standing” with the Church. A letter from their pastor would verify this action. If the Catholic is divorced and remarried outside of the Catholic Church, without receiving an annulment from the first marriage, then they would not be able to be a Catholic sponsor or witness to a marriage.
