Arranging The Ceremony -
As an active, registered parishioner of St. Scholastica Parish, we warmly welcome you and your child as you begin preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism. If you are registered with another Catholic parish, we will need a letter from your pastor, allowing us permission to baptize your child here at St. Scholastica Church. The office will provide you with all the necessary paperwork to complete prior to the Baptism.

Facilities -
Baptism takes place in the church.

Parent's Responsibilities -
Both parents and godparents are asked to attend a special Baptismal Preparation Class. Please contact our Baptism Coordinator at the parish office for the date and time of the scheduled classes. You can pre-register for the class by calling the parish office at (352) 746-9422 or by completing the Contact Us Form below. Godparents who are not members of St. Scholastica are asked to take the baptism course in their own parish and submit a letter from their parish after completion.

The following paperwork (found in packet) must be completed in full and returned to the parish office prior to attending the Baptism Instruction Class.

1. Baptismal Worksheet For Parents
2. Sponsor Form completed by each godparent, and signed by his/her pastor, imprinted with the Church seal
3. Copy of Adoption/Legal Guardianship Paperwork if applicable
4. Parental Attendance or Absence form

Requirements For Godparents -
A godparent is a person who assumes, along with the parents, the responsibility for the child's faith. Per Canon Law 872... It is for the sponsor to help the baptized to lead a Christian Life and to fulfill faithfully the obligations connected with it.

In compliance with Canon Law 874 and 893 at least one godparent must meet the following requirements:

1. The godparent chosen must be a practicing Catholic.
2. They must be at least 16 years of age.
3. They must have received the Sacraments of Initiation, which are: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
4. If married, the godparent must be married in the Catholic Church or had their marriage blessed by the Catholic Church.
5. They must lead a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken (...a person who attends Mass regularly and receives the Sacraments frequently, leads a good moral life, fulfills all of one's religious obligations toward self, dependents, society and church).
6. They must provide a letter from their Pastor attesting to their fulfillment of these requirements. (A form for your use is attached)

 Note: Parents must pre-register for Baptism Instruction Class by meeting with parish office staff to complete required paperwork. 

The parish family of St. Scholastica joins you in preparing for your child's baptism. If you have any questions regarding the enclosed information and paperwork, do not hesitate to call our Baptism Coordinator at (352) 746-9422. We are here to assist you in any way we can.