Baptism
Congratulations on taking the steps toward your child’s baptism!
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.”
- Acts 2:38-39
Jesus was baptized and taught his Apostles to go and do likewise. Through baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God! We become members of the Body of Christ as we are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission.
We can’t wait to welcome you (Becoming Fully Catholic) or your child into the life of Christ and our Church through Baptism! Please contact the Parish Office at 262-367-0800 to begin the process with Jess Panlener.
The Baptism Process
· Speak with Jess about the baptism process at St. Charles
· Register as members of the parish, if you have not already, and contact Debra Hertel at dhertel@stcharleshartland.org
· Register your infant/child for baptism
· Register the Godparent(s)/Sponsor(s)
· Have Godparent(s)/Sponsor(s) fill out their letters of reference, and their pastor sign and seal them. They must be posted to: St. Charles Catholic Church, ATTN: Jess Panlener, 313 Circle Drive, Hartland, WI 53029
· Register for a baptism prep gathering (Due to Covid-19 the prep for baptism has changed and Jess Panlener will work with the family). We will schedule your child's baptism after your session.
· Come to a rehearsal, the week before your scheduled baptism. Rehearsals are mandatory and take only about 30 minutes. Jess will schedule your rehearsal and baptism at the same time.
***Godparent(s)/Sponsor(s) Requirements:
NOTE: Please make sure to review all of the requirements for the Godparent(s)/Sponsor(s) BEFORE selecting the individual(s).
- Godparent/Sponsor must be at least 16 years of age.
- Godparent/Sponsor must be in good standing with the Catholic Church.
- Godparent/Sponsor must be a practicing Catholic (Attend Mass weekly on Sundays, and on Holy Days of Obligation).
- Godparent/Sponsor must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation
- If married, Godparent/Sponsor must be married in the Catholic Church.
- Godparent/Sponsor cannot be the infant’s/child’s parent.
- Each infant/child must have one, and may have two, valid Godparent(s). If two are chosen, they must be one male and one female to reflect natural parenthood.
- Godparent/Sponsor will give support to the infant/child being baptized by helping him/her lead a Christian life and by helping the parents of this infant/child in their duty as Christian parents.
- One Sponsor may be a Christian witness if they are validly baptized in another Christian community and if the other Sponsor fulfills the above requirements.
**These requirements come from the Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church; you can view the Law of the Church by visiting the Vatican Website.
