News | Young Adults | Ministerio Hispano | Children | Teens

The Sacraments

Baptism

Baptism is a beautiful gift from God and the beginning of our life in Christ. Through this Sacrament, we receive the grace of forgiveness from original sin and all personal sins, become adopted sons and daughters of God, and are welcomed into the Church, the family of God.

 

The Church encourages parents to have their children baptized within the first few months after birth. At Holy Spirit, we are honored to accompany parents as they prepare to bring their child to the waters of Baptism and begin nurturing a lifelong relationship with Christ and His Church.

 

Baptism Preparation

Parents preparing for the Baptism of their first child are asked to attend a Baptism Preparation Class. Classes are offered on the first Sunday of each month, excluding holidays, at 11:30 AM in Room C, located on the lower level of the Parish Office Building.

Parents are welcome to attend the preparation class either before or after the birth of their child. Advance registration is required. Unless otherwise noted, registration closes at noon on the Friday before the scheduled class.

Please sign up for one of the classes listed below.

If your child will be baptized at another parish, a letter confirming your attendance at the Baptism Preparation Class will be provided.

 

Baptism preparation does not need to be repeated for subsequent children if the class was completed within the past three years.

 

Choosing Godparents for Your Child

Godparents have an important role in Baptism. They promise to support parents in raising their child in the Catholic faith and to encourage the child throughout his or her life as a disciple of Christ. A child must have at least one Catholic godparent (sponsor) who meets the requirements of the Catholic Church. A Catholic godparent must:

  • Be at least 16 years old;
  • Be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church;
  • Have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation; and
  • Not be the father or mother of the child being baptized.

If your child’s godparent is a registered parishioner of Holy Spirit, no additional documentation is required.

 

If the godparent is a parishioner of another Catholic parish, we ask that they provide a Sponsor Eligibility Letter from their home parish confirming that they are a practicing Catholic in good standing and eligible to serve as a godparent. The letter should be signed by the pastor of their parish and provided to Holy Spirit prior to the Baptism.

 

Scheduling Your Child's Baptism at Holy Spirit

After completing Baptism Preparation, please contact the parish office at 404-252-4513 to schedule your child's Baptism. We ask families to allow at least 30 days for scheduling. Baptisms are normally celebrated on Sundays at 12:45 PM in St. Mary's Chapel. Because Baptism welcomes a child into the larger family of the Church, our Sunday Baptisms are ordinarily celebrated communally with other families. There may be circumstances, however, when a private Baptism is appropriate. If your family has a particular pastoral need or special circumstance, please speak with one of our priests or deacons, who will be happy to assist you.

 

Serving as a Godparent at Another Parish

If you are a Holy Spirit parishioner who has been asked to serve as a godparent for a Baptism at another parish and need a letter confirming that you are a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, please contact the parish office or one of our clergy.

Please keep in mind that the parish where the Baptism will take place may have its own requirements for godparents, including forms or documentation that must be completed by Holy Spirit.

Baptismal Certificates

If you were baptized at Holy Spirit and need a copy of your Baptismal certificate, please contact the parish office at 404-252-4513.

 

For information on adult baptism please see the OCIA section of this website.