Parental Requirements

Parents must be formally registered in the parish with regular Mass attendance at least 3 months prior to the baptism.

We encourage parents to register and attend their Preparation Session before their child is born.

St. Hyacinth’s Preparation Session consists of one 2-½ hour class. The parents who will present their child for Baptism are expected to fulfill preparation requirements by attending this class.

Parents are required to contact the parish office to register for a Baptism Preparation Session no later than one month prior to a class. (281-479-4298 X 10 or 11) Parents must submit a copy of the child’s birth certificate at time of registration.

If you are presenting your child for Baptism and were not married in the Roman Catholic Church, speak with the Pastor or a Deacon about having your marriage con-validated in the Church. This should precede Baptism, but will not prohibit Baptism.

Parents requesting Baptism for a child (age 7 or older) should speak to the Director of Religious Education concerning RCIA for children.

Choosing Godparents is a very important step. Godparents should be chosen prayerfully and should be people who will provide examples of faith and support of spiritual growth for your child. The role of Godparent must be taken seriously. (Parents should not choose Godparents until certain they meet the following criteria).

Diocesan Guidelines for Godparents

Minimum age is 16 years old.

Godparents must be practicing Catholics, having received Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist and attending Sunday Mass and communion. If they are married, they must be married by a Roman Catholic priest or have had their civil marriage blessed by a Roman Catholic priest. At least one and maximum of two godparents are required for each baptism.

Family or close friends who are not practicing Catholics, or not married by a Priest may be witnesses at the baptism; however, their purpose is to be a witness not a godparent. At least one godparent is still required.

Parents and Godparents must attend a Baptism Preparation Session, unless they have attended within the past 2 years. You may attend a class in another parish and get a letter from that church as proof of attendance and preparation.

* Sponsors for Confirmation and RCIA must follow the same norms as Godparents listed above.