BAPTISM

Adults or children seven years or older:

The normal process is the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults). Contact the St. Joseph Parish Office at 302-378-5800.

Infants:

Three months before the due date of the child’s birth or the Baptism, parents should attend the parish Baptism preparation program. Contact the St. Joseph Parish Office at 302-378-5800.

Scheduling:

First-time parents must attend the baptismal preparation program before scheduling. After attending the St. Joseph parish baptismal preparation program, and the office receives the Letter(s) of Suitability for the godparent(s), then the date can be set.

Dates are limited. Parents must call the office and confirm the date before planning parties, etc. The Parish Office number is 302-378-5800. 

There is a $50 fee per child.

Godparents/Sponsors:

Godparents and/or Sponsors for Baptism must meet the requirements of Canon Law: A person who is at least 16 years old, has celebrated all three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) and must be living a life in harmony with the teaching of the church. It is the third requirement that most often causes difficulty. It is generally interpreted to mean that a person is registered in a parish and, if married is in a valid marriage. This means that the marriage must have taken place in the Catholic church or, if celebrated in the church of another denomination the couple must have received permission of the Catholic Church for this to take place.

One godparent is required, and must be Catholic; two are permitted, provided one is male and the other female. One must be Catholic.

A baptized Christian who is practicing the faith of Jesus and who is at least 16 years old may be one of the two Godparents (and is called a Christian Witness) but is not considered a sponsor.

A proxy is a person delegated by the godparent to stand in his or her place if they are unable to be present at the Baptism. 

MARRIAGE

For the Sacrament of Marriage, couples should begin planning by following these steps:

• Contact the St. Joseph’s parish priest or deacon at least one year prior to the anticipated wedding date to confirm availability of the date you are interested in before contracting with a venue for a reception. 
• Attend a marriage preparation program. There are two parts to the program:
  1. Time for instruction and discussion with a priest or deacon.
  2. Pre-Cana Conference or Engaged Encounter Weekend.

Contact the St. Joseph Parish Office at 302-378-5800.