Baptism is the Sacrament which cleanses us from original sin, makes us Christians, children of God and heirs of heaven.

Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5) 

Parents should schedule their child’s Baptism either before, or soon after, the child’s birth.  The child does not have to be born yet to prepare for the Baptism.  Baptisms are generally celebrated at St. Aedan’s on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, at 1:30 pm in the Church.  Instruction classes for parents [and Godparents] are by appointment, with Deacon Jim.  Please, prior to the class, call the Parish House (845)735-7405, for location and to confirm further details.  We do require a minimum of two-weeks’ notice prior to the preferred date of Baptism.  **Also, before the ceremony receives finalized schedule status, a Birth Certificate must be presented to the Parish House to verify all details. **

Sponsors/Godparents
A Sponsor assumes a very serious obligation.  It is important to pick Godparents who are upstanding in their faith journey and fully immersed in their Catholic faith.  This person cannot be removed from the Baptismal register once the Baptism is completed.  So please pick someone who you are comfortable with and know to be in good standing with the Catholic Church.   At a Baptism, a Godparent responds for the infant by renouncing Satan, his works and empty promises; they express faith in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the child’s name.  Other duties of a Sponsor are to pray for his/her candidate, to be an example of integrity and sincerity in practicing the Catholic Faith, and (if the child’s parents are unable) to see to it that the child is educated according to the teaching of the Catholic Church.  To fulfill such duties, the Church maintains certain conditions are a prerequisite for a Godparent/Sponsor:

1. One must be a Catholic.
2. One must have received all the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation.
3. One must be 14 years of age or older.
4. One must practice the Roman Catholic faith by:
   1. Married in the Roman Catholic Church or having a marriage blessed by it with the proper canonical dispensation if married to a non-Catholic.  Being divorced is not a hindrance to being a godparent/sponsor.  But being divorced and remarried outside the Catholic Church without the proper canonical decree of nullity or annulment is.  One cannot be a sponsor if their relationship with another person is recognized by a civil union only.  Unfortunately, there are no exceptions to this canonical teaching.
   2. If single, one should be not cohabitating with another person and should be living what the Church teaches in faith and morals
   3. Participating in Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation (unless hindered because of some very serious reason.  Participating in sports or other activities does not qualify as a serious reason for missing Sunday Mass.  Attending to a Sunday duty is the Third Commandment from God. It is a divine law not a man-made one. How can one claim qualification to be a sponsor without fully participating in their faith?)
   4. Fulfilling one’s Easter Duty, that is, attending to the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year and receiving Holy Eucharist during the Easter Season.   
   5. Finally, a non-Catholic Christian CANNOT be a godparent. They can be a Christian witness.  But a child must have at least one Catholic godparent.  Unfortunately, there are no exceptions to this canonical teaching.  Those who are of another faith or belief system entirely cannot be a sponsor or witness.  These include Judaism, Muslim, Mormon, Jehovah Witness, and other non-Christian religions or sects.  

*Sponsor certificates are ONLY issued by a Parish Priest or Deacon; during office hours Monday to Friday, to parishioners who have been registered at St. Aedan’s for at least three months.  For more information, please contact the Parish office Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM:  845-735-7405.