Baptism
Baptisms are offered Saturdays and Sundays. Call
the church office at (323) 255-6142 or e-mail stbernardla [at] stbernardla.cc.
Baptismal classes
Classes for parents and godparents are normally
held in the Pastoral Center, and Spanish classes are in the parish
hall. Classes start at 7:15 p.m.
Parents and godparents should arrive at least 15
minutes beforehand to register. Visit the parish office for a list of
scheduled classes.
Baptismal forms
A baptismal form needs to be filled out by one of
the parents in the office. It may not be taken home.
A copy of the birth or hospital certificate needs
to be attached to the form, and a $50 church fee given in cash (a check
is OK if it is given six or seven weeks prior to the date of baptism.
Please write a notation on the bottom of the check with “Baptism
of [child's name] and [date of baptism].) A notation of the fee having
been paid will be made on the registration form and on the envelope
that we have for baptismal donations.
All the information needs to be filled out and be
legible. If the father's name is not on the birth/hospital certificate
it is not written on the baptismal certificate. If the mother presents
a birth certificate with the father’s name on it, we will add his
name to our baptismal register and issue a new certificate.
Religious education
If the child is going to be 6 years old before the
date of baptism, the child will have to attend at least one year of
religious education, before we can baptize him/her.
Godparents
Only one godparent need be Catholic Christian. If
there is one Catholic godparent and one baptized non-Catholic
Christian, the non-Catholic may be put down as a “Christian
Witness” but not as a godparent.
We don't accept as a godparent or Christian
witness someone who used to be a Catholic but has now joined another
church.
We do not accept as godparent a person or a couple
who are living together without being married, as this lifestyle is
contrary to Catholic moral values. We do accept people as godparents
who are married only civilly, but they need to be attending Sunday Mass
regularly.
Religious requirements
Parents need to be attending Sunday Mass (at least
the Catholic parent where one is not Catholic) and intend to raise the
child in the Catholic faith (i.e. they will be bringing the child to
Sunday Mass and to religious education classes for first communion.) We
are not allowed to baptize a child who is not going to be raised in the
Catholic faith.
Grandparents may not fill out a baptismal form or
arrange for the baptism, unless there is some special circumstance (for
exmaple, if they are the legal guardians of the child).
