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Godparent Class: Frequently Asked Questions
When are the classes for Godparents at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Austin? First Wednesdays of each month, 6:30 – 8:00 PM. (Except Ash Wednesday)
Is there a fee for the class? No, the classes are free.
Will I receive a certificate of attendance for a Godparent Preparation Class? Yes, each participant receives a certificate of attendance.
Do I have to be a member of St. Catherine’s to take the class? No, members of any parish are welcome to attend.
Do I have to bring anything to the class? No documents are required to attend the class. Documents may be required from the parish at which your Godchild will be baptized – the Godparent class does not require any documents or paperwork to attend.
Do I have to call the church to register? No, a call is not necessary if you register online.
Can I attend if I did not register online? Although walk-ins are allowed, having personal handouts and a printed certificate are preferred by the participants. This can be theirs if registration is received by 10 AM on the day of the class. Online registration can be done after 10 AM and will assist in the planning for the facilitator. Don't worry, the certificate will be handwritten by the facilitator for persons who did not register online or by phone.
Are the parents of the children to be baptized required to attend? No, they are not required to attend. Parents are welcome if they wish to attend with their chosen Godparents. This class does not take the place of the parent series of classes.
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Godparent Qualifications
The choice of a Godparent can be a special moment in a family's life. If you have been chosen to be a Godparent, congratulations, as this privilege says a great deal about the respect the parents have for you as they consider the future spiritual path of their beloved child. Here are some of the Catholic church's considerations
as this choice is made:Qualifications for Godparents/Sponsors
Only one sponsor/godparent is required. If two are chosen, one of each gender must be selected. To be qualified to serve as a godparent, a person must:
- Be a Catholic who has received Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation (Sacraments of Initiation)
- Live a life of faith befitting the role of godparent.
- If the godparent is married, the marriage must be a marriage recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as valid. The class facilitators or deacons can assist you if you have any doubts about this.
- Be older than 16 years
- Not be the mother or father of the child
- Sign the “Covenant Form” if the godchild will be baptised in the Diocese of Austin and return it to the parents or to the church.
- Have attended a Godparent preparation program. If the sponsor is not a St. Catherine of Siena parishioner, (including those who live out of town) they may attend a course at their home parish. A letter is required from the parish/pastor to confirm attendance and being in good standing. If this is the case, please check with your home parish for their requirements to be sponsors.
Because the sponsors are required to help the child live out the Catholic faith, non-Catholics are not permitted to be sponsors. If a family wishes to have a non-Catholic participate in the Rite, it is required that the person be a baptized Christian and can be designated as a Christian witness. He/she will be recorded as “Christian witness” in the official records. The Christian witness is asked to provide a copy of their baptismal record or give a written statement attesting to their baptism and that they strive to live their Christian faith. They are welcome, but not required to attend the baptismal preparation class. A person who has left the Catholic Church (ex-Catholic) cannot serve as a Christian witness.
Proxies
If the godparents cannot be present at the Baptism, proxies can be designated to answer the parts of the godparents during the ceremony itself. They should meet the same qualifications as godparents but do not have to take classes or fill out the Covenant Form. They will be listed in baptismal record as “proxies”.