Congratulations on the birth of your child!
What a joyful and blessed time for your family! Thank you for your interest in having your child baptized at the Church of Saint Ann. We are truly honored to share in this special moment with you.
Here are some important details to help guide you through the preparation process:
Scheduling the Baptism
Baptisms are typically celebrated on Sundays immediately following the 11:00am Mass. It may be administered by our pastor, Fr. Fontana or by one of our deacons. While we try to schedule only one Baptism per Sunday, due to the size of our parish, there may occasionally be two families scheduled. Attendance at the 11:00am Mass is encouraged. We are happy to reserve a few pews at the front of the Church for your family and guests.
Parish Membership
Parents of the child should be active members of Saint Ann Parish. If you are not currently registered, please contact the Parish Office. If the child’s grandparents are active members of our parish, or if the parents are registered at another parish, we will gladly take that into consideration when reviewing your request. In these cases, we ask that you provide a letter from your Pastor stating that you are Catholics in good standing and that you have permission to have your child baptized at Saint Ann.
Pre-Baptismal Class
If this is your first child, or if you have not previously attended a Baptism preparation class, you are required to complete a one-hour pre-Baptismal class. Please contact the Parish Office to schedule your class.
Godparents
Godparents play a special role in the faith life of your child. The Church has specific guidelines to help ensure they are able to fulfill this important spiritual responsibility.
Canon Law Requirements for Godparents
At least one godparent is required, but you may have two (one male and one female). A godparent must:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Be a fully initiated Catholic (having received Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation)
- Be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church
- If married, be in a valid Catholic marriage
- Parents of the child may not be godparents
A non-Catholic Christian may not serve as a godparent but may act as a Christian witness if accompanied by a Catholic godparent who meets all the above criteria.
Sponsor Certificates
All Catholic godparents are required to obtain a sponsor certificate from their home parish, confirming that they meet the qualifications above. These certificates should be mailed to the parish at least two weeks prior to the Baptism:
Church of Saint Ann
289 Arch Road
Avon, CT 06001
Donations
There are no fees for the Sacrament of Baptism; however, typically a donation is made to the Parish. Checks are to be made out to The Church of Saint Ann and should be given to the Priest or Deacon at the time of the Baptism.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or would like to begin the process of scheduling your child’s Baptism, please visit or call the Parish Office at 860-673-9858, ext. 221. We look forward to welcoming your child into the family of God and celebrating this joyful step with your family.