Parents are encouraged to baptize their child within the first few weeks after birth. We do, however, ask parents to attend a baptism preparation class before presenting their child for this sacrament. The preparation class ensures the parents fully understand the sacrament and their expected roles in raising the child in their Catholic faith. All Catholic parents are encouraged to baptize their children in their Catholic faith. Even if a child was not baptized as an infant or before the age of reason (7 years old), we would like to work with you to see that your child is brought into sacramental union with the Church.

Please contact the Faith Formation team directly to discuss sacramental preparation for your child.

No. The Church requires that at least one parent be a practicing Catholic.

The child's baptism will not be delayed for unmarried parents, though parents are encouraged to contact the Church to pursue a sacramental marriage.

This will not delay the child's baptism. We encourage you to contact a priest or deacon to discuss having your marriage convalidated in the Catholic Church.

The non-Catholic spouse must give permission for the baptism to take place and agree to not interfere with raising the child in the Catholic faith.

We ask that you be a registered and active member of St. Ann or of another Catholic parish. (An active member is defined by the Diocese of Raleigh as one who is registered with a parish, attends Mass on a regular basis, supports the parish through the consistent giving of time, talent, and tithe, and receives regular mailings/communications from the parish.) If you are a registered and active member of another parish, you must submit a "letter of permission" from the pastor which states that you are registered and active, and which grants permission for the baptism to occur at St. Ann (Code of Canon Law: Can 857-§2). This letter must be provided when you are scheduling the baptism.

If you have taken the Baptism Preparation course within the last two years at St. Ann or another parish, you do not have to attend the class for your child to be baptized.

According to the requirements of Catholic Church Canon Law (872-874), at least one Godparent must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church and At least 16 years old, Received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation, If married, it must be a valid sacramental marriage, Not be bound by canonical penalties, Not be the father or mother of the child to be baptized, The second Godparent, if not Catholic, must be a baptized Christian; they are called a witness.

At least three weeks prior to your child's baptism, please provide Your child's original certificate, A Baptism Registration Form (located in the parish office), Baptism fee (for cleaning the church/materials), Godparent Testimonial Form (please CAREFULLY read through the requirements), and Certificates of completion of a Baptismal Preparation course for parents AND Godparents.

We ask for a donation to cover the cost of the cleaning of the church and the materials used. It is customary to give a gift (stipend) to the celebrant of the baptism. The specific amount is at your discretion.

Please reach out to Elsa Leon Galera, with any questions you have. Phone: (919) 934-2084, ext. 120 Email: sacramentsassistant@saintannchurch.org